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In the face of pig losses, how can farmers minimize their financial impact? At a training session held in Sihui on April 15th, Professor Liu Yanfen from Guangdong Ocean University introduced innovative strategies to local farmers. She emphasized that forage-based pig farming can reduce feed costs by 10% to 30%, offering a practical solution for improving profitability.
Pigs are monogastric and omnivorous animals, with the large intestine being the primary site for fermenting plant-based feeds. The cecum and proximal colon play a key role in digesting green forages. Feeding grass can stimulate intestinal motility, allowing certain microorganisms to stay longer in the gut, thus enhancing feed digestion. According to Professor Liu, crops like new king grass, ryegrass, legumes, and cowpeas are excellent forage options. Not only do they provide nutrition, but some leguminous plants also help improve soil quality.
She explained that the choice of forage, harvesting time, and usable parts vary depending on the type of pasture. Farmers should tailor their approach based on their specific conditions. When using forage, it can be chopped and mixed with concentrates, or fed before the concentrate. However, when boiling forage, it's important not to cover the pot, as overheating between 40°C and 60°C could lead to toxic effects. The proportion of forage used also differs at various growth stages. For sows, up to 70% of their diet can consist of forage, while for fattening pigs, this should be limited to below 30%.
On average, a pig consumes about 350 kilograms of feed from birth to market. A 10% reduction in feed usage could save over 300 yuan per pig. With current farm losses ranging from 50 to 150 yuan per pig, forage feeding offers a viable way to maintain profitability even in tough economic times. "By replacing part of the concentrate with forage, we can still make pigs profitable," said Professor Liu.
Some farmers have already started experimenting with forage-based pig raising under the guidance of the Xinran Pig Professional Cooperative in Sihui City. Wu Xiaobin, head of Qingfeng Pig Farm, shared his experience: "I mainly use forage to raise sows, and I've noticed a significant decrease in constipation issues." He also pointed out that low pig prices have pushed him toward more cost-effective feeding methods. The forage grown around his farm can reach full maturity within a month after harvest, making it almost free compared to commercial feed.
While forage-based pig raising offers lower production costs, it requires sufficient land for planting, which many farms may lack. Professor Liu suggested that farms can adapt by planting different types of forage according to their size and resources. Even small-scale operations can find ways to integrate forage into their feeding systems. "There are always alternatives if you're willing to explore," she added.