The Rural Voice, 2003-06, Page 53Advice
Last year's crops continue to cause feed problems
By Ed Barrie,
OMAF Stratford
The past growing season
continues to haunt the pork industry
in Ontario. The greatest impact is on
producers producing their own feed
on farms. If you look at the Ontario
Corn Performance Trials 2003 Report
- Page 3, you will see that the lowest
recorded heat units in Ontario was
2685 and the rainfall showed extreme
range from the low of 76 millimeters
to a high of 430 millimeters in the
May to September recording period.
The results of this weather pattern
were an incredible range of crop
yields, quality and maturity spread
across Ontario.
The first problem that evolved
was the green soybean dilemma.
Some timely work by Jeaurond,
Murphy, Vingerhoeds and de Lange
determined that no negative results
were observed for any of the growth
on carcass characteristics that were
evaluated, and that there is no
concern about feeding whole green
roasted soybeans to pigs. Therefore,
we are at an acceptance level with the
soybean crop.
The problems currently appearing
in pork production indicate
significant numbers of market
animals are out of the expected grids
for their weight and those animals are
indexing significantly lower then
expected. In addition, a number of
producers are experiencing reduced
performance of piglets prior to
weaning. Possible causes of these
conditions could lie in variations of
the quality and quantity of both
starch and protein present in the corn
produced on the farm.
The resolution of this situation lies
in testing of the corn used to
determine if it falls within the range
of values you are using to calculate
your feed formulations. This testing
should be carried out several times
this year as differences may occur
between varieties and crops grown on
several locations. Your feed or
premix supplier would be most
willing to assist in this testing and
recommending changes in feed
formulations.
It is interesting to note that
purchased feed does not show the
same effects on swine, or if so, to a
very reduced extent. This can be due
to a number of factors including
more frequent and rigid testing
protocols for ingredients, and the use
of multiple co -products, from grain
sources not affected by the weather.
What is important is that individual
ingredients or complete rations need
to be tested.0
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JUNE 2003 49