一、One reason for inconsistent results when using feed
This is something pig farmers least want to encounter: the premix they bought some time ago had been working well, with very good feed intake and growth. Recently, however, it seems not to be working as well. Based on their own experience, they conclude that the premix must be the cause. But when they call the manufacturer, it denies this, saying its formula has not changed and suggesting that pig farmers look into the raw materials and disease issues on the farm.
In fact, sometimes this phenomenon is caused by changes in temperature and climate, which affect how well the formula’s ingredients work. For example, vitamins in premixes are sensitive to temperature and can easily be degraded when temperatures rise in summer. Experienced manufacturers select different vitamins according to climate conditions. For instance, in hot and humid summers, thiamine mononitrate is more effective than thiamine hydrochloride. Some smaller manufacturers, however, do not have their own professional formulation team or experimental facilities, and cannot adjust their formulas to changing environmental conditions. They use formulas from other large companies and stick with one formula throughout. This is why manufacturers sometimes say their formula has not changed, while pig farmers find that its performance has changed.
二、Don’t choose feed by intuition
Many pig farmers often think this when choosing feed:
1, the more types and the greater the quantity of medicines used in a premix, the better the feeding results will be
The additives used in premixes have different physical and chemical properties. Some are compatible and act synergistically, while others are antagonistic. Premix formulations take into account the relationships between various elements, animals’ physiological needs, and other factors. Therefore, a good premix does not require you to add extra trace ingredients such as drugs.
2, the darker the feces, the better the feed is digested and absorbed
The main reason for dark-colored feces is the high dose of copper sulfate added to premixes. These mineral salts break down in the intestine, producing copper sulfide, iron sulfide, copper oxide, and other compounds that darken the feces. Although high copper levels can promote animal growth (especially in piglets), excessive copper accumulates in pigs’ livers and kidneys, harming their health and causing their carcasses to become soft. It also pollutes the environment and may even affect food on people’s tables, endangering human health.
3, a premix that makes animals drowsy is high quality
To meet market demand, some premix producers add sedative and hypnotic drugs to their premixes. After animals consume this type of premix, their nervous systems are suppressed and they tend to sleep, reducing nutrient consumption. However, this practice seriously violates China’s feed management regulations, harms human and animal health, and should be strictly prohibited.
4, the stronger the aroma, the better the quality
The main ingredients in flavoring agents do not provide nutrients required by animals. Flavoring agents are added to premixes mainly to mask unpleasant odors from trace elements, drugs, and other ingredients in feed, and to improve feed intake. Therefore, it is wrong to assume that the stronger the aroma of a premix, the better its quality.
5, fishy odor is proportional to the amount of fish meal
Fish meal’s role in animal nutrition is obvious. However, premixes with a strong fishy smell often have fish flavoring added.
6, the higher the proportion of the premix, the better the results
A high proportion of premix does have advantages for suckling and weaned piglets. In addition to protein and energy, they need large amounts of substances that support intestinal development, as well as calcium and phosphorus for bone development. With an inclusion space of 4%, it is difficult to precisely balance the various components, so a higher proportion is better. For premixes for later-stage pigs, however, there is no need for a high proportion. A proportion of 4% is sufficient to provide the required minerals and trace elements. The higher proportions recommended by manufacturers mostly just contain more soybean meal, with the aim of boosting product sales. So, with a 4% premix for later-stage pigs, as long as you choose high-quality soybean meal and corn and combine them properly, the feeding results can also be excellent. The key is that costs will be much lower.
III. How to Choose a Premix Correctly
1, first, choose a manufacturer that is large and has been in business for a long time. This can help avoid the situation described above, where the ambient temperature changes but the formula does not, resulting in different outcomes after the pigs eat the feed. Large manufacturers with a long history have experience with this: they adjust formula combinations according to different temperature conditions and also formulate feed according to different regions.
2, do not judge feed quality based on personal impressions. Whether the feed is good should be assessed using data such as the cost per unit of weight gain, feed-to-meat ratio, and daily weight gain at our pig farms. This means you pig farmers will have to put in the effort to weigh the pigs and do the calculations.
This is something pig farmers least want to encounter: the premix they bought some time ago had been working well, with very good feed intake and growth. Recently, however, it seems not to be working as well. Based on their own experience, they conclude that the premix must be the cause. But when they call the manufacturer, it denies this, saying its formula has not changed and suggesting that pig farmers look into the raw materials and disease issues on the farm.
In fact, sometimes this phenomenon is caused by changes in temperature and climate, which affect how well the formula’s ingredients work. For example, vitamins in premixes are sensitive to temperature and can easily be degraded when temperatures rise in summer. Experienced manufacturers select different vitamins according to climate conditions. For instance, in hot and humid summers, thiamine mononitrate is more effective than thiamine hydrochloride. Some smaller manufacturers, however, do not have their own professional formulation team or experimental facilities, and cannot adjust their formulas to changing environmental conditions. They use formulas from other large companies and stick with one formula throughout. This is why manufacturers sometimes say their formula has not changed, while pig farmers find that its performance has changed.
二、Don’t choose feed by intuition
Many pig farmers often think this when choosing feed:
1, the more types and the greater the quantity of medicines used in a premix, the better the feeding results will be
The additives used in premixes have different physical and chemical properties. Some are compatible and act synergistically, while others are antagonistic. Premix formulations take into account the relationships between various elements, animals’ physiological needs, and other factors. Therefore, a good premix does not require you to add extra trace ingredients such as drugs.
2, the darker the feces, the better the feed is digested and absorbed
The main reason for dark-colored feces is the high dose of copper sulfate added to premixes. These mineral salts break down in the intestine, producing copper sulfide, iron sulfide, copper oxide, and other compounds that darken the feces. Although high copper levels can promote animal growth (especially in piglets), excessive copper accumulates in pigs’ livers and kidneys, harming their health and causing their carcasses to become soft. It also pollutes the environment and may even affect food on people’s tables, endangering human health.
3, a premix that makes animals drowsy is high quality
To meet market demand, some premix producers add sedative and hypnotic drugs to their premixes. After animals consume this type of premix, their nervous systems are suppressed and they tend to sleep, reducing nutrient consumption. However, this practice seriously violates China’s feed management regulations, harms human and animal health, and should be strictly prohibited.
4, the stronger the aroma, the better the quality
The main ingredients in flavoring agents do not provide nutrients required by animals. Flavoring agents are added to premixes mainly to mask unpleasant odors from trace elements, drugs, and other ingredients in feed, and to improve feed intake. Therefore, it is wrong to assume that the stronger the aroma of a premix, the better its quality.
5, fishy odor is proportional to the amount of fish meal
Fish meal’s role in animal nutrition is obvious. However, premixes with a strong fishy smell often have fish flavoring added.
6, the higher the proportion of the premix, the better the results
A high proportion of premix does have advantages for suckling and weaned piglets. In addition to protein and energy, they need large amounts of substances that support intestinal development, as well as calcium and phosphorus for bone development. With an inclusion space of 4%, it is difficult to precisely balance the various components, so a higher proportion is better. For premixes for later-stage pigs, however, there is no need for a high proportion. A proportion of 4% is sufficient to provide the required minerals and trace elements. The higher proportions recommended by manufacturers mostly just contain more soybean meal, with the aim of boosting product sales. So, with a 4% premix for later-stage pigs, as long as you choose high-quality soybean meal and corn and combine them properly, the feeding results can also be excellent. The key is that costs will be much lower.
III. How to Choose a Premix Correctly
1, first, choose a manufacturer that is large and has been in business for a long time. This can help avoid the situation described above, where the ambient temperature changes but the formula does not, resulting in different outcomes after the pigs eat the feed. Large manufacturers with a long history have experience with this: they adjust formula combinations according to different temperature conditions and also formulate feed according to different regions.
2, do not judge feed quality based on personal impressions. Whether the feed is good should be assessed using data such as the cost per unit of weight gain, feed-to-meat ratio, and daily weight gain at our pig farms. This means you pig farmers will have to put in the effort to weigh the pigs and do the calculations.