Organic hogs typically grow slower and are less efficient than conventional hogs. Differences in management may account for some of this. The Rosmanns worked with ISU swine specialists to implement three levels of feeder management (once-weekly and twice-daily adjustment, and hand-fed). Hogs under once-weekly and twicedaily adjustment had similar growth and production parameters, with a slight advantage to twice-daily.
Key Findings
- Twice-daily adjustment resulted in slightly better feed efficiencies than hogs under once-weekly adjustment. However it required more labor.
- Adjusting feeders more frequently provides some feed cost savings and improves the efficiency of gain in finishing organic hogs.