Duane Reese, extension swine specialist at the University of Nebraska, told the weekly publication that the days of using 15 percent or fewer distillers in finishing rations are over.
“Producers are using between 25 and 30 percent distillers in grow/finish rations with very good results,” he said, although he recommended dropping the level to 10-15 percent three weeks before market.
He also noted that producers can start using distillers when pigs weigh about 25 pounds – and that 15-20 percent distillers in the diet at that stage works just fine.
The price of phosphorus and amino acids along with the relatively low price of distillers compared to corn have more farmers looking at distillers to help cut feed costs, he said – distillers grains were about 83 percent the value of corn most of the summer.
The phosphorous in distillers grains is also about three times more digestible than phosphorus in corn, he said, which makes distillers a good value when phosphorus prices are high. In turn, Reese said, since pigs can use more of the phosphorus in their feed, it should reduce phosphorus levels in manure.
The key to using distillers grains is to get a good, consistent product and then properly formulate it into the diet, he said.
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This article speaks about farmers adding distillers grains to pig feed which will help cut feed costs. However, the nutritional value of swine feeds should also be considered.
ReplyDeleteAndy, thank you for your comment. We are also very concerned about the nutritional value of swine feeds. We partner with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on feeding trials and research to best benefit the livestock industry.
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