Pig feeding herd performance remained mixed in Q3 2020

By Bethan Wilkins

Figures from Agrosoft for the 12 months ended September 2020 show a mixed picture for GB feeding herd performance.

The feed conversion ratio (FCR) for the rearing herd (roughly 7-35kg) averaged 1.74 for the 12-months to September 2020. This was the same as in the 12-months to September 2019, but 0.04 lower than in the 12-months to June 2020. So, in the Q3 period alone, it seems the FCR was a little better than the year before.

In contrast, the feed conversion ratio for the finishing herd worsened. The finishing herd FCR was 2.79, 0.11 higher than the 2.68 recorded for the 12 months to September 2019. This was also 0.03 higher than the 12 months to June 2020. Rising finished weights perhaps influenced this trend.

Daily weight gains were worse for the rearing stage but better at finishing. The average daily weight gain at the rearing stage was 445g; this was actually the lowest average on record (going back to 2009). The Agrosoft data also indicates that pigs spent more days in the rearing unit, but the amount of weaner/rearer feed used per pig did not increase at the same pace. This would explain the fall in daily weight gain while FCR was maintained.

Conversely, the average daily weight gain at the finishing stage was the highest on record, at 867g. This was achieved by an increase in finishing feed consumption per pig, as the FCR had worsened and the number of days in the finishing unit remained similar.

A full range of performance indicators for rearing and finishing herds can be found on the AHDB website here. As well as providing average figures, we also show the figures obtained by farms achieving the top third and top 10% of FCR levels.

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