In developing the pig farming industry, feed is a major cost for farms, accounting for more than 70% of total farming costs. The nutritional quality of feed directly determines pigs’ healthy growth and farms’ economic returns. Therefore, effective feed management at pig farms in the new era is of great practical significance for promoting the healthy development of the pig farming industry. Drawing mainly on practical work experience, this article analyzes feed storage measures for pig farms. It is hoped that this study will help make better use of feed’s nutritional value and promote healthy growth and development in pigs.
Two main factors affect the results of pig farming: feed prices and the nutritional content of feed. Both have the most direct impact on a farm’s actual economic returns. To effectively improve economic returns while developing the pig farming industry, farmers need to make scientific and reasonable farming plans and better control farming costs. As a major farm expense, feed requires farm managers to pay attention to its nutritional value and to sound feed management, preventing it from becoming moldy or spoiled during use and better promoting the healthy growth and development of pigs.
I. Management of Feed-Ingredient Purchasing
In recent years, as pig farming has become increasingly large-scale, many farmers have sought to reduce costs by purchasing feed ingredients from other regions and mixing them themselves. Any problems that arise during the procurement of feed ingredients can affect the quality of the finished feed. Even with meticulous management at later stages, it can be difficult to make up for the resulting financial losses. Therefore, effective controls must be strengthened during feed procurement, with increased investment in personnel and resources, to ensure that the entire procurement process is more standardized and scientific.
During feed procurement, partner manufacturers must be carefully screened, and feed ingredients should be purchased from qualified producers. Ensure that suppliers’ feed ingredients are of reliable quality and that supply is stable; do not change feed suppliers arbitrarily. Once a partnership with a feed supplier has been established, both parties should sign a formal contract specifying the names, specifications, and origins of the feed ingredients. Ensure that all information is clearly recorded, and also pay close attention to managing the receipt of feed ingredients. Before each batch of feed enters the farm, it must undergo strict quality testing. The feed costs and written notices concerning the feed ingredients should also be checked further to ensure that the ingredients are sufficiently fresh and free of impurities. In particular, the moisture content of feed ingredients prone to mold and spoilage, such as corn and wheat bran, should be measured. The actual protein content of protein feed ingredients should also be tested. In addition, farms should develop a sound procurement plan based on the scale of their operations, as this is an important step in improving the quality of feed ingredients. The plan can provide for purchases in batches each month, which can help prevent large one-time purchases from going unused and becoming moldy or spoiled, while also keeping the feed ingredients fresh.
Before purchasing feed ingredients, relevant staff should carefully inspect and verify the farm’s feed inventory, then prepare a comprehensive procurement plan. The plan should also be effectively coordinated with pig production, pig sales, and the handling of pigs that die from illness, making it more scientifically sound and reasonable. During feed procurement, responsibilities at every stage must be assigned, with the person responsible clearly identified. Responsibilities must also be assigned for receiving feed ingredients into storage, feed processing, feed production, and feed storage. Records must be kept rigorously, and feed quality must be inspected carefully.
II. Scientific Feed Formulation
For farms that prepare their own feed for pig farming, it is important to understand in detail the nutritional requirements of pigs at different growth and development stages and in different seasons. Based on the farm’s actual circumstances, feed ingredients should be adjusted appropriately to ensure a balanced feed mix with comprehensive nutritional value that meets the pigs’ growth and development needs. On the one hand, farms should formulate feed scientifically and strictly in accordance with the feed formula established by the local veterinary department. Before each feed-mixing session, the ingredients should be carefully selected. Feed should be weighed and mixed precisely, starting with larger quantities and then adding smaller quantities, and the entire measurement result should be kept within the allowable margin of error.
During feed mixing, carefully check the ingredients for mold and spoilage; do not use moldy or spoiled feed. Ensure that all feed ingredients are mixed evenly. Do not substitute other ingredients when certain ingredients are unavailable; preserve the feed’s nutritional value and quality. In addition, adjust the feed formula dynamically in response to seasonal changes. For example, in winter and spring, the external climate is cold, temperatures are low and fluctuate considerably, and pigs consume more nutrients during growth and development. During this period, choose high-energy, low-protein feed. After the onset of summer and autumn, higher outdoor temperatures can cause heat stress in pigs, so low-energy, high-protein feed should be formulated during this period. In actual pig farming, adjust the feed formula dynamically according to seasonal and temperature changes and the pigs’ growth and development, ensuring that the feed proportions are scientifically balanced and its nutritional value comprehensive.
Three. Focus on Disease Prevention and Control
In daily management, in addition to ensuring that the feed is fresh, palatable, and free from mold and spoilage, a strict vaccination program should also be implemented. Vaccinate the pigs regularly to strengthen their resistance and prevent the spread of various infectious diseases. Where possible, farms should regularly monitor antibody levels in the pigs before vaccination and actively use immunopotentiators when administering vaccines. This can induce the body to produce more antibodies and help prevent severe mortality caused by disease infection during growth and development. Farms should also pay close attention to security and biosecurity management. At present, pig infectious diseases can spread in many ways: pigs can infect one another directly, and pathogens can also spread through contaminated feed. Any route of transmission can cause substantial economic losses to the entire pig farming industry. Therefore, farms must strictly manage items and the movement of people entering and leaving the premises.
Farms need to implement a strict closed-farm management system based on their actual circumstances, and strictly disinfect the personnel responsible for animal husbandry management and items brought in and out. Outside personnel are prohibited from entering the farming area. Dedicated staff and designated facilities should be used to prevent farm management staff from moving freely between animal housing units. Various animal husbandry management equipment and feed in the housing units should be disinfected regularly and cleaned regularly. If infectious diseases are present in the surrounding area, strict epidemic prevention and control measures should be implemented, with a focus on strict isolation to prevent other animals from entering the farm, and thorough epidemiological investigations should be conducted.