Pigs to Pork
MANAGEMENT
Feed Processing for Swine
0. R. Zimmerman, and V. B. Mayrose, Animal Sciences Department
AS -370 Sept. 1967
Definition	feeder space for supplement. If not, they
will not eat enough protein. However, at the Processing feed for swine includes grind-	same time it is also necessary to include
ing, pelleting and methods of preserving	some alfalfa meal and/or meat meal in the
(drying and ensiling).	protein supplement to decrease its palata-
j	bility. This is to prevent excessive consump-
How much feed processing is necessary for tion of expensive protein supplements. With maximum profits?	the CMR system the producer knows the ex-
act proportions of protein, vitamins and min-It would be great if this question had one	erals the	pigs are eating. The CMR lends
simple answer, but it doesn't. For example,	itself well to an automatic feeding system,
the answer may be different for the swine	The FC system often works best when high
producer using a pasture system and another	moisture	corn is fed. Whole kernels of high
I using a confinement system. The most prof-	moisture	corn will not bridge in self-feeders
I itable system may also be different for the	as will ground corn. Also, whole corn can
producer buying grain and the producer who	be held longer after removal from the silo
i raises all the grain he feeds.	before spoilage than can ground high moisture
corn.
Free-choice (FC) versus the complete mixed
ration (CMR) system	Does it pay to grind grain?
First, the feeding system dictates to	There are two primary reasons for grind-
some extent the amount or degree of feed	ing grain for swine. First, if a CMR is to be
processing. What are the pros and cons of	used, it is necessary to grind grain so that it
the FC and CMR systems? The research at can be mixed properly with other components various experiment stations does not agree	of the ration. Second, research results in-
that one of these systems is always the most	dicate improved utilization of corn when it is
profitable. At the Purdue University Experi-	ground before being fed. Evidently breaking
ment Station the FC system has rather con- the kernel makes it easier for pigs to digest sistently been the most profitable. However, the corn. The research indicates that a at other stations the CMR system has often medium or fine grind is necessary to obtain been the most profitable of the two systems.	the desired response. There are several
Most comparisons do indicate more rapid	reasons for recommending a medium grind
daily gains with the CMR system, but the re- as opposed to a fine grind. Finely ground suits vary in regard to feed efficiency.	feed tends to bridge in self-feeders, and to
blow when feeder lids are raised, increas-
10	To make the FC system work properly	ing feed wastage. There are indications that
it is important that the pigs be allowed enough	the incidence of gastric ulcers in swine is
increased by finely ground feeds.