NUTRITION
PIH-23
pork industry handbook
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE • PURDUE UNIVERSITY • WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA
Swine Rations
Authors
William G. Luce, Oklahoma State University
G. R. Carlisle, University of Illinois
Earl Peace, Montana State University
Charles R. Cooper, Virginia Polytechnic Institute
Reviewers
Gerry Gehlbach, Lincoln, Illinois
Virgil Hays, University of Kentucky
Palmer Holden, Iowa State University
Ernie Peo, University of Nebraska
Elwyn Miller, Michigan State University
A dependable and economical source of feed is the backbone of a profitable swine operation. Since approximately 55-70% of the total cost of pork production is feed, the swine producer should be keenly aware of all aspects of swine nutrition and commodity buying.

The pig is an efficient converter of feed to meat. With today's nutritional knowledge, modern meat type hogs can be produced with a feed efficiency of 3.3 lb. or less of feed per pound of gain from 40 lb. to market. To obtain maximum feed utilization, it is necessary to feed well-balanced rations designed for specific purposes.

Composition of Feedstuffs
Values for crude fiber, metabolizable energy, crude protein, calcium, phosphorus and three essential amino acids are given in Table 1 for the feedstuffs used in the rations suggested in this publication. Swine producers are cautioned, however, to recognize that feedstuffs vary considerably in all nutrients. Data presented in Table 1 are average figures for a particular feedstuff. When it is known that the nutrient content of a particular feedstuff differs considerably from that shown in Table 1, adjustments should be made in the suggested rations in Tables 2 through 10.

All rations in this fact sheet are formulated with 44% soybean meal. If 49% soybean meal is used, adjustments should be made. A simple method is to replace 10 lb. of 44% soybean meal with 9 lb. of 49% soybean meal and 1 lb. of grain. For example, if a ration contains 400 lb. of 44% soybean meal and 1,545 lb. of corn, a similar formulation would result with 360 lb. of 49% soybean meal and 1,585 lb. of corn.
Dicalcium phosphate was used in all the rations in this fact sheet. Defluorinated phosphate or steamed bone meal, if available, may be substituted for dicalcium phosphate. However, if a substitution is made, the rations need to be reformulated since these products contain different calcium and phosphorus levels than does dicalcium phosphate.

Sow Gestation Rations
The rations shown in Tables 2 and 3 are designed for bred sows. For the rations in Table 2, yellow corn is the primary grain source; for those in Table 3, grain sorghum, barley or wheat is the primary energy source.

It is suggested that these rations be fed at a level of 4-5 lb. per head per day. The exact level to feed during gestation depends on weight age, and condition of the animal and climatic conditions or environmental temperature. Sows should gam about 30-60 lb. and gilts should gain approximately 70-100 lb during gestation. It may be necessary to feed slightly more of the barley rations (rations 4 and 5 in Table 3) because of their lower energy content. For bred sows and gilts on a good quality legume pasture, such as alfalfa or ladino, 2-3 lb. per head per day of one of the gestation rations presented in Tables 2 or 3 may suffice.

It is recognized that some swine producers may prefer to feed the same ration during gestation that they feed in lactation. In this case, it is suggested that lactation rations presented in Tables 4 and 5 be used for both gestation and lactation Likewise, if a swine producer prefers to feed rations with higher protein and amino acid content during gestation, the suggested lactation rations may be used instead.
Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, State of Indiana, Purdue University and U. S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating. H. G. Diesslin, Director, West Lafayette, Ind. Issued in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914. It is the policy of the Cooperative Extension Service of Purdue University that all persons shall have equal opportunity and access to its programs and facilities without regard to race, religion, color, sex or national origin.