Impact of swine feed production processes on performance and health status in live production

Key information

With growing affluence, people shift their attention from satisfying basic needs such as eating sufficiently to balanced diets and quality food. For the majority of consumers, animal protein is an indispensable part of a balanced diet. Consumers are becoming more aware not only of the cost of meat but also of its quality, which is related to the conditions of live production and the quality of the feed animals are raised on.

In swine production, 60–70% of live production expenditures are related to the cost and utilization of feed. At the same time, feed has an immediate impact on the health status and wellbeing of pigs throughout the production cycle, from gestation, suckling and weaning to growing and finishing. Accordingly, optimizing feed formulation and production to support the genetic growth potential of modern breeds has become an economic necessity in recent years. Effects on gut health and animal welfare have also gained importance in research and development of feeding regimes and production technology.