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ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Nutrition, Growth and Physiology » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #340354
Title: Impacts of genetic line, gender and season on feeding behavior of grow-finish swine

Author
item CROSS, AMANDA - South Dakota State University
item Brown-Brandl, Tami
item Rohrer, Gary

Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/29/2017
Publication Date: 8/1/2017
Citation: Cross, A.J., Brown-Brandl, T.M., Rohrer, G.A. 2017. Impacts of genetic line, gender and season on feeding behavior of grow-finish swine. Proceedings of the 13th Conference - Construction, Engineering and Environment in Livestock Farming, September 18-20, 2017, Stuttgart, Germany. p. 288-293.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Feeding behavior contains important information that can enable producers to better manage livestock. A study was conducted to quantify these impacts. Data were collected on barrows and gilts (n = 931) from 3 different genetic lines (Landrace x Yorkshire material line with three different sire breeds Landrace, Yorkshire and Duroc) over 4 grow-out periods (2 summer and 2 winter). Pigs were placed randomly in a one of 6 pens in grow-finish barn. Individual animal feeding behavior was recorded with a radio-frequency identification system (RFID). Season, sire line, pen and sex all significantly impacted time spent eating. Pigs spent significantly (P < 0.01) less time at the feeder during the winter compared to summer. Landrace sired pigs spent significantly less time at the feeder than either Duroc or Yorkshire sired pigs. These demonstrate the need to evaluate feeder space allowances for different breeds.