D. E. Ricker1 and S. J. Moeller
The Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences
Abstract
All swine producers are faced with a lot of questions and decisions when it comes to their feed supply. One of these questions is "Should I buy commercially prepared feed, or should I purchase ingredients and manufacture feed on the farm?" In an effort to reduce feed costs many swine producers choose to manufacture all or a large part of their feed. When they do this, they assume responsibility for quality control. The results of the 1999 Ohio State University Swine Team Project sheds some light on how producers and commercial feed mills in Ohio are doing with feed processing.
Introduction
Research has proven that the particle size of ground corn plays a critical role in determining feed digestibility and mixing performance. Therefore, periodic particle size evaluation is a necessary component of a feed manufacturing quality assurance program. Kansas State research has shown that particle sizes between 600 and 800 microns provide the greatest opportunity for the feed to be efficiently digested and utilized by the pig, without adverse affects of bridging in feeders and creating ulcers in pigs. A 1.2% improvement in feed conversion is possible for every 100-micron reduction in grain particle size.
P.O. Box 189, Ottawa, OH 45875-0189, 419-523-6294, Fax 419-523-3192; Email: ricker.37@osu.edu