Challenges in Feeding Organically Raised Pigs
Managing pig health without antibiotics and animal-derived ingredients
Increase weaning age
Because traditional ingredients such as spray-dried porcine plasma, dried
whey, and dried skim milk are not permitted in starter diets, pigs will likely
need to be weaned no earlier than 28 days of age. After 28 days, the young
pig’s digestive system is mature enough to effectively digest cereal
grain-based diets without adverse effects on health and performance. Some
advisors recommend weaning at 35 days of age or more.
Implement high biosecurity procedures
Closed herds.
To minimize the risk of disease transmission, maintain closed herds
(with limited or no addition of animals from other farms). If replacement
animals are obtained from outside sources, they should be isolated and kept
in separate facilities (preferably off-farm) for 60 days and blood tested
for undesirable pathogens. In closed herds, the use of artificial insemination
eliminates the need for the introduction of new boars to the breeding herd
for the production of home-grown maternal line females and to serve as terminal
line boars. If establishing a new herd for organic production, breeding
stock with high health status will prevent the depressed pig performance
typically caused by diseases and parasites. Animals certified as SPF (Specific
Pathogen Free) should be considered when populating new organic swine herds.
Traffic control.
Visitor access to animal facilities should be restricted. Post signs telling
visitors where to report. Delivery trucks, particularly those that visit
other farms or slaughter facilities, should be thoroughly cleaned before
entering animal areas. Producers need to implement procedures that prevent
rendering trucks from entering areas around pig facilities. On-farm methods
for disposal of swine mortalities eliminate the risks associated with rendering
trucks entering the farm. On-farm methods include composting and incinerating.
Limiting the contact of dogs, cats, birds, and wild animals with pigs will
help eliminate the transfer of swine diseases.
Excellent sanitation.
Keep facilities as clean as possible to minimize the concentration of pathogens
in animal living areas. Dead animals should be disposed of using only approved
disposal methods.
Provide the proper environment
Temperature, space, nutrition, and ventilation requirements of pigs must
be met to minimize stress and the risk of disease.
Some practices to consider where appropriate and permitted are:
- Pasture rotation to minimize parasite load on pigs.
- Farrowing once per year, or twice per year in late winter and late summer
(March/April & August/September in the midwest U.S.) to achieve a form
of all-in/all-out production. Moderate climates allow greater flexibility
in favorable outdoor or extensive farrowing. In some cases year-around farrowing
can be used, with outdoor or extensive environments providing a measure
of disease control.
- Use standard vaccines and ivermectin on sows not to be sold as organic
(up to 3rd trimester).
- Use organically approved substances that may enhance health and performance:
Diet acidification – Use in starter diets.
Oligosaccharides – Pathogenic bacteria attach to dietary
oligosaccharides instead of the surface of the pig’s intestine.
As a result, the oligosaccharide-bound bacteria are excreted from the
pig before they can cause digestive and health problems.
Enzymes – Supplemental enzymes that are matched to specific
ingredients can improve growth rates due to improved nutrient digestion
and absorption.
Herbs – Limited information suggests that some herbs possess
antimicrobial activity and have antiviral and antioxidative properties.
Probiotics/Yeast – These products may provide alternatives
to growth-promoting levels of anti-biotics in the diet. Unfortunately,
beneficial responses have not been reported consistently under controlled
conditions.
Guaranteeing no use of grain from genetically modified organisms (GMO) in
swine diets
Given the popularity of GMO grains with crop producers and the potential
for cross-pollination, it is nearly impossible to guarantee that organically-raised
crops are absolutely free of GMO grain, which is prohibited in organic production.
Grains certified to be produced according to the National Standards are considered
organic and acceptable for use even if there are trace amounts of GMO present.
The National Standards focus on certifying a process of production, not guaranteeing
the purity of the product. However, some certifying agencies may have more
stringent standards. If tougher standards are imposed, consider the use of
other grain crops such as small grains which have very few if any GMO varieties
available.
Diet formulation is more difficult without the use of animal or grain by-products
Several alternative feed ingredients can be grown organically and used in
swine diets. The following is a summary of possible alternatives and a brief
description of their contributions and limitations in swine diets. Approximate
nutrient composition of these feed ingredients is provided in Table 1.
Nutrient composition will vary depending on area grown, processing technique
utilized, year-to-year variation, maturity of the plant, and many other variables.
The best method to determine nutrient composition is to obtain representative
samples of each feed ingredient and send them to a commercial laboratory for
nutrient analysis.
Table 1. Nutritional comparison of potential ingredients
to be used in an organic swine feeding system (1) (2)
(1) Nutrient values presented on an as-fed basis.
(2) For limits on dietary concentration of individual ingredients see discussions
of individual grains on pages 9–12.
(3) All cereal grains contain varying levels of phytate and may contain mycotoxins.
(4) Values obtained from Nontraditional Feed Sources for Use in Swine Production,
P.A. Thacker and R.N. Kirkwood (eds.), 1990, Butterworth Publishers, Stoneham,
MA. All other nutrient values obtained from NRC (1998, 1988).
(5) N/A = Not available.
Energy sources
Cereal grains serve as the major energy source in swine diets. They are high
in carbohydrates (starch), palatable, and highly digestible. However, they
are low in lysine (and other amino acids), vitamins, and minerals compared
to the pig’s requirement. Therefore, cereal grain-based diets must be
supplemented with other ingredients to meet amino acid, vitamin, and mineral
requirements for optimal health and performance.
Corn has the highest energy value of all cereal grains and is generally
the most economical grain source in swine diets in Minnesota. Because genetically
modified corn varieties are now grown widely under commercial conditions,
unintended cross-pollination could occur with corn produced in compliance
with organic standards. This cross pollinated corn is currently considered
as organic since it was produced in a certified organic production system.
Corn
and cob meal is a feedstuff that can be produced on the farm and incorporated
into swine diets. It is low in energy compared to most other energy sources,
and fits well in late finishing and gestation diets. Similar to corn grain,
cross-pollination of non-GMO corn with GMO varieties may be a concern in some
areas.
Wheat is equal to corn in feeding value and is very palatable if not
ground too finely. However, it is usually a more expensive energy source than
corn and as a result has not been used commonly in Minnesota.
Barley is higher in fiber and protein than corn. Because of its higher
fiber content, the energy value ranges from 90% to 100% of corn. High quality
barley can be an excellent grain source for swine diets.
Hulless barley contains more protein and less fiber than normal barley.
Despite its higher nutritional value in relation to barley, performance of
pigs is generally similar when fed either barley or hulless barley.
Oats, like barley, are higher in fiber and protein than corn, resulting
in an energy value of approximately 80% of corn.
Naked oats (hulless oats) are much lower in fiber and higher in oil
and protein content than oats. As a result, their digestible energy content
is 30% to 35% higher than conventional oats. Hulless oats have a good balance
of amino acids, with only lysine and methionine present in amounts insufficient
to meet the pig’s requirement. Hulless oats can support satisfactory
growth performance when used as the sole grain source for grow-finish pigs,
with almost no supplemental protein required. Although naked oats have been
grown successfully in Canada and the northern regions of the U. S., disappointing
yields are sometimes reported.
Grain sorghum is similar to corn in nutritional value and can completely
replace corn in swine diets. However, specially developed bird-resistant varieties
that are high in tannins have only 80% to 90% of the feeding value of corn.
Grinding is essential for efficient utilization because this grain is small
and very hard.
Buckwheat is most commonly grown as a grain for human consumption.
The protein quality of buckwheat is considered to be among the best in the
plant kingdom. However, buckwheat is relatively low in digestible energy compared
to other grains due to its high fiber and low oil content. The other significant
factor limiting the use of buckwheat in swine diets is the presence of the
anti-nutritional factor, fagopyrin, which causes skin lesions and intense
itching when pigs are exposed to sunlight. No more than 50% inclusion in grow-finish
diets and 80% in gestation diets should be used. Avoid using buckwheat in
starter and sow lactation diets.
Rye has an energy value intermediate to wheat and barley, and the
protein content is similar to barley and oats. Although amino acid balance
is similar to barley and wheat, its amino acid digestibility is 5% to 10%
lower. Furthermore, rye is very susceptible to ergot, a fungus that reduces
pig health and performance. Rye also contains several toxic anti-nutritional
factors that reduce its nutritional value for swine. There is no limit on
the amount of rye that can be fed to gestating sows, although an upper limit
of 50% in grow-finish and 40% in lactation diets is suggested.
Triticale is a grain produced by crossing Durum wheat with rye. Very
little triticale has been grown in the northern U.S. and Canada. Even though
it has a digestible energy value similar to wheat, it is similar to rye in
regard to the presence of several anti-nutritional factors and susceptibility
to ergot.
Protein sources
Full-fat soybeans contain approximately 18% oil and are of the most
value in diets for weaned pigs and lactating sows. Although research conducted
at the University of Nebraska has shown that feeding diets containing raw
(unheated) soybeans to gestating sows will produce satisfactory performance,
soybeans must be heat-treated to be used successfully in all other production
phases. Properly heat-treated soybeans are an excellent protein source for
swine. Soybeans contain anti-nutritional factors including trypsin inhibitors,
urease, and hemagglutinin. Trypsin inhibitors and urease can be destroyed
by proper roasting or extruding processes. However, overheating reduces amino
acid digestibility and must be avoided. For optimal quality, soybeans should
be roasted for 3 to 5 minutes with an exit temperature of 240 to 260 degrees
F. The exit temperature for extruded soybeans should be 280 degrees F. Because
soybeans contain 13% to 15% more energy than soybean meal, concentrations
of other dietary nutrients must be increased to compensate for the lower feed
consumption that naturally occurs when feeding high energy diets.
Mechanically-extruded
soybean meal (non-solvent) can be produced as an organic substitute for
conventionally manufactured soybean meal. Organically-produced soybeans can
be mechanically extruded to produce a high-quality meal containing high protein
and energy levels. Fat level of the meal may vary from 5% to10% depending
on moisture content of the beans and efficiency of oil extraction during processing.
Field peas are grown primarily for human consumption, but they can
effectively replace a portion of the grain and protein supplement in swine
diets. The digestible energy content of peas is high and they are a good source
of lysine. However, peas are low in methionine and tryptophan, which limits
their use in most swine diets. Peas can be included in swine diets at up to
15% for starter pigs, 15% for sows, and can completely replace soybean meal
in grow-finish diets. Peas also contain anti-nutritional factors including
trypsin inhibitors and hemagglutinin, however, the level of these factors
is generally not considered to be high enough to reduce performance. Many
producers may choose to raise field peas in conjunction with barley as these
two ingredients can be successfully incorporated into a swine feeding program.
Alfalfa’s nutritional quality varies with stage of maturity,
soil fertility, and methods of harvesting, handling, and storage. The more
mature alfalfa is at the time of harvest (or time of consumption, if grazed)
the lower its nutritional value for swine. Mature alfalfa is higher in fiber
and lower in protein as compared to less mature alfalfa. The major factor
that limits the nutritional value of alfalfa in swine diets is its low digestible
energy content. Compared to cereal grains, alfalfa contains only half as much
digestible energy. Alfalfa is a good source of most vitamins, and is an excellent
source of vitamins A, E, and K. Alfalfa is high in calcium but has only moderate
amounts of phosphorus. Therefore, diets containing alfalfa must be supplemented
with phosphorus to maintain the desired 1:1 to 1.5:1 calcium:phosphorus ratio.
Alfalfa
also contains saponins and tannins—anti-nutritional factors that reduce
the growth rate of pigs. The use of alfalfa in weanling and young growing
pig diets is not recommended due to its low energy digestibility, poor palatability,
and the presence of anti-nutritional factors. Alfalfa fits better in diets
for sows than for growing pigs. Sows have a greater capacity for fermentation
in the hindgut that allows for greater fiber digestion and improved energy
utilization. Furthermore, studies conducted at the University of Minnesota
have shown increased litter size and lactation feed intake when sows were
fed alfalfa haylage during gestation.
Canola is the primary oil seed crop produced in Canada. It contains
40% oil and 20% protein, making it a high energy, moderately high protein
source. Canola can be effectively used at up to 15% in diets for all phases
except for gestating and lactating sows, which should be limited to 10%. A
large amount of commercial canola production uses GMO-derived seed, and therefore
caution must be exercised to avoid the use of non-organically certified seed
and potential for genetic drift, similar to corn.
Fababeans contain 24% to 30% protein and a digestible energy level
intermediate between soybean meal and barley. Fababeans are low in oil content
(1.5%) and the oil is high in unsaturated fatty acids. This makes it very
susceptible to rancidity if the beans are stored for more than one week after
grinding. Fababeans contain several anti-nutritional factors including trypsin
inhibitors, hemagglutinin, and tannins. For optimum nutritional value, fababeans
should be roasted or extruded before feeding. Fababeans can be effectively
added at up to 15% of starter diets, 20% of grower diets, and 15% of sow diets
without adversely affecting performance.
Lentils are a poorer source of lysine, methionine, and threonine than
peas. However, lentils can be included at up to 30% of the diets for swine
as long as diets are carefully formulated to ensure adequate amino acid levels.
Sunflower seeds are high in oil (40%) and fiber (29%) and moderately
high in protein (20%). Unheated sunflower seeds are more digestible than heated
seeds. Upper limits of inclusion for sunflower seeds are up to 10% of the
diet for weaned and grow-finish pigs, and up to 30% of the diet for gestating
and 20% of the diet for lactating sows. As is the case with canola and corn,
a large amount of GMO-derived sunflower seeds is used in commercial production,
and therefore precautionary measures should be taken to ensure organic status.
