Feed Efficiency Technology: Feeding the right animals the right feed

Smithfield Foods is continually researching methods to produce high-quality, high-protein products that improve agricultural productivity, require fewer resources and have a smaller environmental footprint. Due to efforts like Smithfield’s feed efficiency program, in which animal feed is engineered to maximize nutrition and meat production, the hogs Smithfield raises today require fewer resources to raise than they once did.

Genetic Improvement

Smithfield targets genetic characteristics in its livestock that enable animals to be raised more efficiently. For example, improvements in feed efficiency can increase the rate of calorie conversion, leading to a quicker achievement of market weight and, therefore, requiring less resources over time. This also decreases overall waste and improves manure management. 

The swine genome became available in 2009 and has advanced marker-assisted selection. Geneticists at Smithfield use DNA microarrays known as Single Nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to help identify specific markers in the swine genome that contribute to economically important traits, such as feed efficiency. It typically takes three-to-four years for genetic potential to be realized in the livestock on Smithfield farms. 

Feed, Form and Shape 

The modification of feed form has shown an improvement in the average daily gain (ADG) of Smithfield hogs. In comparison to diets fed in meal form (>600 microns), diets fed in pellet form (300-400 microns) at the nursery, growing, and finishing stages of development have yielded a 4-8% increase in ADG. The improvements are due to enhanced palatability, reduced waste and the potential for improved nutrient utilization due to the heat treatment of the ingredients. Cereal grains can be ground finely and included in a pelleted diet, offering further improvement to feed efficiency compared to a meal diet containing large particles. 

Ingredients for Success: Feed Additives

The use of feed additives can contribute to both the profitability and sustainability of swine production. Most feed additives target animal welfare, environmental sustainability and increasing profitability. A few examples include enzymes such as phytase and xylanase and acidifying prebiotics. Smithfield carefully researches and evaluates these additives.

Phytase makes phosphorus in the hog’s diet more freely available for digestion. The improved availability of organic phosphorus decreases the quantity of inorganic phosphorus needed to meet the pig’s protein requirement. Additionally, improved utilization of phosphorus reduces the nutrient’s presence in the resulting manure.

Xylanase breaks down natural fibers in a pig’s diet and produces many beneficial “prebiotic” fractions. Smithfield researchers have documented that the prebiotic alters the microbial balance in the digestive tract and can potentially reduce the need for antibiotics to treat gut level disease challenges. 

Dietary addition of organic acids like lactic acid (think fermented dairy products) can help transition piglets to adult diets. Weaned piglets better digest their diets and help prevent digestive level challenges after lactic acid is added to their diets. This can help the piglet welfare at weaning, minimizing gut level health issues. 

Smithfield’s role in improving productivity

As the largest producer of hogs in the United States, even incremental improvements in feed efficiency can decrease overall waste and improve manure management leading to improvements in sustainability and productivity.