Genesus recommended ratios for finisher pigs from 55-290 lbs. is currently $14.90 US per ton cheaper than PIC’s recommended diets. A big difference that anyone buying feed knows has a big impact on today’s profitability.

We have been asked how Genesus developed this Competitive Advantage. Below are the details of our extensive research done to developed and verify these rations on Genesus genetics.

Genesus Nutrition Extensive Research

Rock Lake Research Center in Ballaton, MN provides Genesus the ability to measure feed intake, gain, body composition and to ensure the diet specifications given are current and focused on cost per pound of gain.

Every eight weeks a group (1200 hd) of Genesus full program pigs are placed in the nursery to begin the process of evaluating and updating diet specifications.

This means every seven weeks a group of pigs are taken offtest and sent to harvest for evaluation of economically important performance, carcass and meat quality traits.

During the time in nursery/finisher, pigs are fed in stages as to determine the most profitable diets throughout the life of the pig. It is important to understand each stage to ensure the minimum requirement is met and to maximize profit by optimizing the balance between the animal’s nutrient requirements, performance and carcass value.

Lysine, the first-limiting amino acid, is one of the most important ingredients of a diet. One of the things Genesus discovered in doing its research was, lysine was being overfed using average nutrient requirement recommendations. This was due to the high appetite of the Genesus pig. Since that time Genesus has updated ration recommendations resulting in improved feed conversion and lower cost of gain. However, lysine is not the only factor evaluated in a nutrient recommendation. The lysine/energy ratio and other amino acids are also important and play a critical role in optimizing cost per pound of gain.

In the nursery

Pigs are split by sex and randomly allocated in a randomized complete block design, with weight as the block.

Approximately 25 (±2) pigs are assigned per pen, with 12 pens/treatment, allowing us to evaluate up to 5 different treatments per group.

All pens utilize nipple waterers that are set at the shoulder level of the smallest pig and adjusted as needed.

Pigs and feeders are weighed on day 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 to calculate ADG, ADFI, and F/G, these frequencies can change depending on the trial.

An automated feeding system records the amount of feed distributed to each pen. In the event a pig died or became unfit for the trial it is removed and the date and weight is recorded for accurate calculations of feed intake and efficiency for a given pen.

In the finisher

Pigs are split by sex and randomly allotted to a randomized complete block design, with weight as the block.

Approximately 25 (±1) pigs are assigned per pen, with 12 pens/treatment, allowing us to evaluate up to 5 different treatments per group.

All pens utilize nipple waterers that are set at the shoulder level of the smallest pig and adjusted as needed. Pigs and 3 feeders are weighed on day 0, 14, 28, 42, 56, 70, 84, 98, and 111 to calculate ADG, ADFI, and F/G, these frequencies can change depending on the trial.

An automated feeding system records the amount of feed distributed to each pen. The feed intake data generated from this system minus the weight of the feed remaining in the feeder at the end of each stage is used to calculate the cost per pound of gain. Body composition is also measured at each weigh day during the process using ultrasound technology.

Tissue samples are taken on animals are incorporated into the Genesus genomics program. In the event a pig died or became unfit for the trial it is removed and the date and weight is recorded for accurate calculations.

In the plant

Pigs are transported to harvest after the test is complete to measure carcass composition and meat quality. The plant utilizes the same ultrasound technology as the farm does so Genesus is able to get an accurate measure of carcass composition.

At the completion of some trials, a subset of loins (or other primals) are used to do detailed carcass and meat quality work including: color, pH, marbling, tenderness, yields, etc.

The data collected during this phase of the process is also included in the Genesus genomics program as pigs are identified individually and genetically linked through the tissue samples taken.

Conclusion

Measuring pigs from start to finish is the only way to accurately know the impact of nutritional recommendations.

The benefits for Genesus of doing this research are: improve growth rate, update diet specifications to optimize cost per pound of gain, incorporate commercial data into the genetic program, and to evaluate carcasses for composition and meat quality.

Genesus continues to focus on maximizing genetic improvement of economically important traits and optimum cost per pound of gain while maintaining a product that has the best eating experience.

The key. Ultra-modern research facilities that utilize automatic feed recording equipment and a research protocol that includes bi-weekly weighing, live pig ultrasound testing, and packing plant carcass evaluation.

The goal?

Maximize Genesus customer profitability through lower cost of gain, optimum growth and meat quality. Genesus feeding recommendations for nursery and finisher based on extended research done over the years can be found on our website www.genesus.com. Click below for direct access.

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This post was written by Genesus