FEED FOR THOUGHT ▶▶▶
Winds of change O
ver the last six months my life and career have changed fast- er than I ever could have imagined and not by choice. It leaves you wondering what is next and how to adapt to be- come stronger and more resilient. I imagine that most of
you may have some similar emotions or thoughts, but it is true for the American farmer. Livelihoods and family operations are being destroyed because of record low grain, milk, egg, pork and beef prices, all while the American consumer is starting to realise that their budgets are being strained from higher than normal food prices in the grocery store.
“When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills.”
Ancient Chinese proverb
What are some modern-day windmills for the swine industry in the nu- tritional sector that will improve the sustainability of production? 1. Feed mill biosecurity: Threats of foreign animal diseases and ba- sic research indicating that circulating disease outbreaks can be linked back to truck traffic have created the perfect opportunity for swine producers to implement further biosecurity measures. Some of these measures include holding times for incoming ingredients from at-risk regions, changing of truck and human traffic at feed mills, and further traceability of all incoming ingredients or feed on farms. Also, it is im- portant to note that the feed additive research has accelerated into dif- ferent combinations that mitigate not only the traditional mould and salmonella, but now ASF and PRRS. But the icing on the cake is that many of these ingredients also improve performance. 2. Synergistic combinations: Research from both the academic and industry perspectives is finding that combinations of specific feed ad- ditives and/or ingredients have the potential to create nutritional strat- egies for producers, while giving us alternatives to the traditional solu- tions. These strategies are stemming from acids, essential oils or phytogenics, to fibre source and type. But long-term success is going to be based on consistency of response and sustainable costs. 3. Enhanced bio-informatics: There is no doubt that we are now collecting loads of data, from the receiving pits to the slaughterhouse. This wealth of data at our fingertips means that nutritionists and mathematical geniuses can build models and adjust in real time versus the six-month close-out delay. But a risk could be that we chase several ap- proaches down rabbit holes without much movement in the key economic drivers; but, no risk, no reward. In closing, evaluate what has changed in your system or, better yet, what windmill of change you need to build to create a sustainable nutritional strategy for your operation.
34 ▶PIG PROGRESS | Volume 36, No. 7, 2020
Casey Bradley For Casey Bradley, growing up on a mixed swine and crop farm in Southwest Michigan eventually led to a successful career in swine nutrition. She currently spends her days as president of the Sunswine Group.
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