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Rye in the pig’s diet: Do not be afraid to break stereotypes!

Despite the many advantages of rye with comparison to other forage crops, it’s often considered as a «stepson». The attention of farmers is concentrated most on wheat and corn. They are skeptical about the use of rye in animal diets and accept it only with the reason to reduce the cost of production. But the results of the last trials show that rye is a valuable feed ingredient, which is equal to grain leaders and can easily be their alternative.

Rye in the pigs diets (standard recommendation)

In last years rye has become increasingly popular feed ingredient in pigs and cattle diets. Because of its low cost and higher productivity (especially hybrid rye) compared with the other cereal crops it’s improves the efficiency of livestock production.

At the same time due to certain characteristics - a relatively high concentration of NPS and the risk of spurred rye infection – there are strict limits on the volume of adding rye to pigs feed. Thus, the usage recommendations of the of the German Agricultural Association are up to 20% for piglets, up to 30% for sows and up to 50% rye in the mixed feed for pig fattening.

Taking as a basis these requirements one German company that specializes in feeding pigs, developed recipes using rye for different age groups that have become exemplary.

Practice of last years has proven that rye as feed ingredient is effective for fattening pigs of different genetics. It is not only economically self-supporting, but also safer to phytosanitary terms, compared to other crops. Because the risk of infection, for example by spurred rye of modern hybrid varieties is minimal.

During the experiments scientists have proved that higher daily average gain have pigs that were given feed containing rye (content 30%), than those fed with compound feeds without it. Rye had no negative affect on the daily average consumption.

It is very important the feed to the sows were balanced in nutrients. Because their concentration in the grain ingredients can be different depending on location and method of cultivation, grade etc.

1. What is the content of nutrients level in grains? Which crop has the most positive impact?

2. What prevents good absorption of food in the body of a pig?

3. What are the recommendations for making feed mix for gestating and lactating sows, for nursery and fattening pigs?

4. What experiments were conducted on pigs to determine the effect of the rye additives?

5. How did the research influence fattening productivity of experimental pigs?

6. What are the results of feeding sows with rye and wheat?

 

You can find answers for these and other questions in the full version of the article in the magazine “Profitable Pig Production” (14), 2013

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