Developing phase feeding programs using AUSPIG. (Abstract)

Abstract

193 Developing Phase Feeding Programs Using AUSPIG C.J. Brewster Bunge Meats Industries, Corowa, N.S.W. 2646 . The reduction in the concentration of dietary protein required to support maximum growth in the pig as it matures was identified by Campbell et al (1988). They suggested that it would be possible to improve the efficiency of production if dietary protein and amino acid concentrations were adjusted more f?equently than at present. This practice known as phase feeding presents two main benefits to the pig industry. Firstly it reduces feed costs in line with the reduction in dietary protein of the introduced diets, and secondly it presents a means of minimising the amount of surplus nutrients excreted from the animal into the environment. AUSPIG, a computer simulation program which models pig growth and determines protein requirements for given levels of growth and performance will facilitate the formulation of these diets. As a part of ongoing research into phase feeding at Bunge Meats Industries, an AUSPIG simulation was conducted to determine the modelled response of pigs to a variety of dietary protein concentrations. Previous research had identified a protein level of 0.75 g available lysine/MJ DE as optimum for pigs from 9 to 12 weeks of age. Five levels of dietary protein were modelled in the second stage grower (12 to 16 weeks) between 0.38 and 0.70 g available lysine /MJ DE A common fmisher diet was then supplied up to slaughter (2 1 weeks). Results of the simulation are presented in Table 1. It can be seen that there is no simulated growth response above 0.46 g available lysine /MJ DE in the period 13 to 16 weeks of age. Using this diet during the second half of the grower period ( ie. phase feeding) rather than the present single grower diet would allow diet costs to be reduced by $3 l/tonne during the 13 to 16 week period. The results indicate the potential for phase feeding to provide significant cost savings for the pig industry without compromising growth rates or carcass quality. Experiments are presently being conducted to validate the simulated growth responses and investigate the potential of phase feeding to lower the cost of pig meat production. References CAMPBELL, R.G., TAVERNER, M.R. and CURIC, D.M. (1988). The effects of sex and live weight on the growing pig's response to dietary protein. Animal Production 46: 123-130. Table 1 AUSPIG simulated live weights and P2 measurements for commercial male pigs offered diets varying in protein concentration as a part of a 3 phase feeding program between 12 and 16 weeks and subsequent finisher performance. Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition in Australia: July 1995 University of New England, Armidale NSW 23.51, Australia