Pork KPIs - Yield

Definitions

FCR – How much ‘pig meat’ (kg of live weight) is generated for every kg of feed that is used. In simple terms:

• FCR = Feed provided over time (tonnes) ÷ Weight gained in same time (tonnes)

or

• Feed consumed per day ÷ DLWG

Yield – In this case is either kg or tonnes of either live weight pigs (l.wt) or dead weight pork (d.wt)

Daily live weight gain (DLWG) - also known as average daily gain (ADG)

A measure of the number of grams per day a pig grows.

A faster growing pig yields better return with lower feed and labour inputs.

• Total weight gain (over time)

• Amount of time (days)

• Average
• Top 10%

We also offer a range of materials in the AHDB knowledge library

• Nutrition guidance for pigs
• Improving feed efficiency in pigs
• Pork market information

Other tools are available relating to weighing:

• Daily checks and monitoring

The key to gathering this data is weighing stock. There are key points that lend themselves (labour and facilities depending) to gathering weight data more than others:

Sows: Into and then out of the farrowing house

Progeny: At birth, at weaning, between growth stages, prior to sale/loading

Typical benchmark data is available for both the indoor and outdoor herd on our Pork Costings and Herd Performance pages.

How much physical mass of pig has been produced by the feed provided. An efficiency measure which can also be a useful proxy for environmental performance.

The goal is to produce as much value with minimal waste. Feed costs are the largest cost of pork production.

• Total feed input over time (feed intake per day)
• Total weight gain over time (DLWG)

• Average
• Top 10%

Feed costs account for around 60% of the total cost of production.

Feed type, feed delivery and other factors are discussed in various AHDB documents:

• Feed alternatives
• Feed at key growth stages
• Factors affecting finishing pigs
• Feeding the growing and finishing pig

Producers should always be aware of how feeding can impact the final return

• Factors impacting final return

AHDB also produces feedback on the market prices of feed