Effect of Dietary Changes on Manure Nutrient Content and Value

The design of the model is to evaluate a more comprehensive valuation swine feeding programs other than cost per ton of feed or cost per pound of gain. Ingredient supplies and value may be part of the a production system, but if that system depends upon more than pounds of pork out the door, and utilizes manure as a fertilizer input for crop production, then how the pigs are fed has consequences other than feed cost per pig or gain. The model may be used to help identify the role of swine diet formulations in the determination of manure nutrient content and value. This is just one component within a crop to feed to fertilizer cycle, and there are other factors which may influence the nutrient concentrations in swine manure and manure samples need to be taken and analyzed prior to field application

Backfat Depth and Loin Eye Area Measurements of Purebred Berkshire Pigs Housed in Hoop Buildings in Iowa

The variation in backfat of commodity pork has declined to the point some major packers are no longer measuring backfat depth. From our previous research with Berkshire pigs, a large amount of variation in backfat and loin eye area (LEA) still existed, especially between barrows and gilts. In our previous research, barrows average one inch backfat depth around 210 pounds whereas gilts did not achieve one inch until 260 pounds. This potentially may be a meat quality issue for gilts marketed less than 260 pounds. The objective of these trials was to replicate our previous study and to determine whether these differences persisted within a different set of Berkshire pigs under the same nutritional regimen. Understanding how feed programs and growth rates affect lean and fat deposition rates is a critical aspect to these niche programs in order to maintain consistency and quality of the Berkshire pork products marketed. Overall, barrows averaged an inch of backfat between 230 and 250 lb body weight whereas gilts average backfat was .90 inches at 269 pounds market weight. Only a 30% of the gilts within these two groups were over one inch backfat at market. These differences are crucial when selecting animals for market to achieve the highest desirability in meat quality within the Berkshire marketing system. These differences between barrows and gilts indicate it may be more critical that each are fed differently than in commodity pork production systems

Developing Berkshire Market Pig Growth Curves

Several factors have stimulated interest in an old, rather minor swine breed, Berkshire pigs. Berkshires produce pork that is darker, with more intramuscular fat than most swine breeds and lines currently. As the majority of modern pigs were genetically selected to be leaner, the Berkshire breed has continued to produce more flavorful pork. Asian consumers, especially Japanese, prefer and will pay a premium for Berkshire pork. American chefs and discriminating consumers request Berkshire pork, a strong market demand that has caused a flourish in the pork niche market largely centered around pork from Berkshirebred pigs. Some Iowa pork producers are raising Berkshire or Berkshire-cross pigs exclusively for export and niche markets. Several Berkshire niche markets and marketers are currently active in Iowa. Many of these markets require that the pigs must be reared in bedded or outdoor settings. A popular housing system used in Iowa is the bedded hoop barn

Growth Rate and Feed Intake of Purebred Berkshire Pigs Housed in Hoop Buildings in Iowa

Berkshire pigs make up the majority of the niche market pig population, and although niche pork production has increased across Iowa and the United States and demand continues for high quality pork there remains a lack of production standards for niche pork producers to benchmark their performance against. The Berkshire pigs in our previous studies grew faster and were more efficient in feed conversion than expected. Therefore the objective of this study was to replicate our earlier work, and add to the database of niche pork production. For this group of Berkshire pigs, growth rate was better than earlier research reports, but less than our previous trial. Feed conversions (feed-to-gain) were also better than earlier research but similar to last year’s report. Barrows grew faster and consumed more feed, but gilts were more efficient converting feed to gain. Although seasonal feed intakes differ for both sexes, growth rates were similar within gilts and barrows

Growth Performance and Ultrasonic Scan of Purebred Berkshire Pigs Housed in Hoop Buildings in Iowa (Trials 3 and 4)

A certified Berkshire program continues to lead niche pork production markets based on its meat quality advantage over commodity-based pork. This economic advantage is especially valuable for smaller, more traditional pork producers. The disadvantages of Berkshire pigs are fatter carcasses, slower gains, and less efficient feed conversion compared with commodity pork production. Consequently, these pigs are often a better fit for less intensive or lower production systems

Lean and Fat Deposition Measurements for Purebred Berkshire Pigs Housed in Hoop Barns in Iowa

Previous research on meat quality of pork has demonstrated that purebred Berkshires have advantages over most commodity based pork. Therefore a Certified Berkshire Pork program has developed and is a vital niche market in Iowa and the United States that provides economic opportunity for a growing number of producers. This research has also documented that Berkshires have a significantly poorer feed conversion than other breeds, thus raising their cost of production. Understanding how feed programs and growth rates affect lean and fat deposition rates is a critical aspect to these niche programs in order to maximize profitability and quality of the Berkshire pork products marketed. From these two trials there are differences between the two trials for both barrows and gilts that may not be accounted for by seasonal affects. Overall, barrows averaged an inch of backfat between 200 and 240 lb body weight whereas gilts approached this backfat depth between 260 and 300 lb. Lean deposition rates were different between barrows and gilts and between trials. This difference makes it critical when selecting animals for marketing and achieving consistency in meat quality within a marketing system. The differences between barrows and gilts indicate it may be more critical that each are fed differently than in commercial production systems

Feed Intake and Growth Rate in Purebred Berkshire Pigs Housed in Hoop Buildings in Iowa

Niche marketing continues to grow in Iowa and the United States as the demand for high quality pork increases for both in home and out of home consumption. The majority of pigs in demand for these markets are Berkshires, with many raised in bedded hoop barns. Berkshires have been shown to have significant advantages in meat eating quality, with significantly poorer feed conversion and higher feed costs. However very little information exists as to how these pigs grow and the nutritional needs to optimize both growth and feed efficiency. Producers have little production data to evaluate and adjust feeding programs. These trials were initiated to help characterize these parameters and allow Berkshire producers a means to be more effective within their production and marketing system. This trial demonstrated that Berkshire pigs grow as fast but consume more feed than expected from traditional commodity genetic lines, resulting in a challenging feed conversion ratio. Barrows grow faster, consumed more feed than gilts, but gilts were more efficient converting feed to gain. Although seasonal feed intakes differ for both sexes, growth rates were similar within gilts and barrows. This information can perhaps be used in designing rations and feed budgeting systems that can lower the feed costs for production of Berkshire pork

Growth Performance and Ultrasonic Scan of Purebred Berkshire Pigs Housed in Hoop Buildings in Iowa (Trials 3 and 4)

A certified Berkshire program continues to lead niche pork production markets based on its meat quality advantage over commodity-based pork. This economic advantage is especially valuable for smaller, more traditional pork producers. The disadvantages of Berkshire pigs are fatter carcasses, slower gains, and less efficient feed conversion compared with commodity pork production. Consequently, these pigs are often a better fit for less intensive or lower production systems.</p