April 11, 2013
Feedlogic reveals results of blending feed on farm
Feedlogic Corporation, a leading provider of intelligent solutions for livestock production, has released results from a three-year trial which show the value of blending feed on farm to closely meet the dietary requirements of livestock.
Feedlogicconducted the trial at a 1,200-head commercial hog finishing site in Minnesota, US. Results have shown a net improvement in profitability of over US$3.75 per marketed pig by blending feed versus feeding standard phase diets. The savings came primarily from a reduced feed cost per pound of gain.
More than 12,000 pigs were involved in the trial over a total of 10 turns. The trial facility was set up with a FeedSaver blending system which allowed half of the pigs (about 600 head) to be fed the standard phase diets and the other half to receive a blend of two standard diets a€" typically the first and fourth diets used in the standard phase programme. Feed for both groups were weighed through the FeedSaver system, allowing an accurate comparison of feed consumption between the groups. The blended diets were changed with every 10 pounds per head of consumption; the phase diets as per the standard feed budgets.
The results of the trial confirm previous theories that altering diets more frequently than the standard industry practice can improve feed conversion and lower feed cost per pound of gain. They also provide strong evidence that the blending does not come at the cost of carcass premiums.
Aside from improving producer profitability, the blending concept demonstrated in the trial also has benefit to feed mills since it reduces the number of diets that need to be manufactured and simplifies the feed delivery process.