How to Formulate Feed Rations for Swine

When raising hogs, take special care when developing their diet. Nutrition is of utmost importance, whether you're trying to get a hog to market weight in the shortest time possible or give proper nutrients to breeding stock. Also, since feed costs account for over 50 percent of hog-production expenses, taking the time to create the most efficient swine-rations formulation is crucial.

Things You'll Need

  • Alfalfa meal
  • Salt
  • Dicalcium Phosphate
  • Calcium Carbonate
  • Vitamin-trace mineral premix
  • Sorghum grain
  • Soybean meal
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Instructions

    • 1

      Understand the nutritional needs of swine. According to Oklahoma State University Division of Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources, swine have varying nutritional requirements that are dependent upon age and weight. A hog that is less than 40 pounds requires a diet of 18 percent protein, 0.75 percent calcium, 0.65 percent phosphorus and 0.5 percent salt. A hog that is between 40 pounds and 125 pounds needs a diet consisting of 16 percent protein, 0.65 percent calcium, 0.55 percent phosphorus and 0.5 percent salt. A hog that is between 125 pounds and market weight (usually about 260 to 280 pounds) requires 14 percent protein, 0.6 percent calcium, 0.5 percent phosphorus and 0.5 percent salt. Brood sows need 14 percent protein, 0.85 percent calcium, 0.65 percent phosphorus and 0.5 percent salt.

    • 2

      Identify the feedstuffs. In each ration, there is a fixed portion and a variable portion. The fixed portion may include alfalfa meal, salt, vitamin-trace mineral premix, dicalcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. The variable portion will contain grain (sorghum grain) and a protein source (soybean meal).

    • 3

      Calculate the fixed ration. They can be included in the following range amounts: 5 percent to 10 percent alfalfa meal; 0.3 percent to 0.5 percent salt; vitamin premix as directed; 0.5 percent to 2 percent dicalcium phosphate; 0.5 percent to 1 percent calcium carbonate. For a 2,000-pound (one ton) batch, choose a percentage you will use of each ingredient and determine the equivalent weight. For example, you will need 100 pounds of alfalfa meal at a 5 percent ration.

    • 4

      Determine the amount of protein in the fixed portion. Since alfalfa meal is the only ingredient in the fixed portion that has any protein value, you can determine that only about 0.85 pounds of the 2,000-pound mixture's protein will come from the fixed portion. This means about 150 pounds (7.5 percent) of the 2,000-pound batch will be fixed, leaving about 92.5 percent for the variable mix.

    • 5

      Determine the amount of protein from the variable ration. A great way to do this is by the Pearson Square Method (www.ext.colostate.edu/PUBS/LIVESTK/01618.html). Once familiar with it, you will calculate that you will need about 278 pounds of soybean meal (44 percent protein) and about 1,572 pounds of sorghum grain (9 percent protein) for a one-ton feed mixture with a 7.5 percent fixed ration.