The greatest cost of pig production is feed, which is up to 70% of the total expenses. Prices for feed ingredients are continuing to rise so alternative feed sources or co-products are being investigated to help lower these costs. Pigs can derive energy from products like canola meal, hemp hulls, camelina cake and flaxseed meal. Some also contain phosphorus and amino acids which are also beneficial. Phosphorus is digested better with the addition of the enzyme phytase, requiring less overall phosphorus in the diet. Pigs are quite accepting in this change in their diet and readily consume the co-products. By having a wider range of ingredient choices for swine, diets can be more cost-effective which in turn minimizes feed expenses.
Pork Industry has Appetite for Feed Options (full article)
