Bart Borg Murphy Brown LLC

Publish Date: March 25, 2010

Profitability of commercial swine enterprises is affected by a variety of factors, such as the pigs genetic potential, environment, feed intake, ingredient availability and market prices. Each of these factors needs to be considered in designing the most optimal and profitable feeding and management system. The final feeding and management strategy implemented may be different for each individual production unit and will also vary with changing environmental and economical conditions. The challenge to the producer is to manage all variables in such a way that productivity and profitability are optimized. Feed represents approximately 65 to 75% of the total cost of producing pork and approximately 75% of this amount is fed in the grow-finish phase of production. Close attention is needed to develop a nutrition and feeding management program to increase the potential for profitability.