What we have learned about grow - finish performance: Understanding the role of management in optimizing performance of growing pigs

摘要

The efficiency and speed of a pig's growth post weaning is a primary determinant of the profitability of many swine operations. Over time a great deal of data has been collected on factors that influence and strategies to improve this performance. With the rapid changes that have occurred in the US pork production industry, there is a deficit of information about management strategies for modern improved genetics raised in new facility designs with new management techniques. Specifically, the impactof early feed intake on performance over the entire growing period as well as an understanding of factors that influence morbidity and mortality have not been fully elucidated for these new systems. We have attempted to address those questions though a series of well controlled experiments over the last several years. This paper will be a brief review of our activities in attempting to understand post weaning management and factors that influence morbidity and mortality in growing pigs.