Final Report
Project Title:
ECOLOGICALLY ACCEPTABLE PIG PRODUCTION ON
FAMILY FARMS
Principal Investigator : Prof.dr.sc. Zvonimir Uremović
Subject of Research :
The investigation was conducted to determine production and
ecological differences among fa mily farms with full and partially
slatted floors during fattening, which are the most widespread types
of floor, and those with deep litter (straw). Also, types of feeders
and their effect on production and water consumption were
investigated. Types of fe eders are associated with production of
slurry which is the main environment pollutant from pig production.
Such investigations have not been conducted so far in Croatia. The
objective was to devise new technology for pig feeding based on
deep litter floor and using a wett feeder system. Family farms where
the investigations were conducted are located in Međimurje
(Međimurski Trnovec – 2 farms; Črečen – 1 farm; Mala Subotica – 1
farm; Novo selo na Dravi – 1 farm) and Slavonija (Čepinski Martinci
– 1 farm and Vučevci – 1 farm)
Technology Description
The most widespread methods of pig keeping during fattening in
Croatia are on full and partial slatted floors, which result in
production of large quantities of slurry and considerably toxic gas
pollutants to the environment.
In the deep litter fattening system, pigs can be kept in large groups
of 40-50 animals. To be able to apply the system daily straw
consumption from 0,8 kg at the beginning of fattening to 1,5 kg
towards its end must be provided. In Croatia, there are two farms in
Slavonia where the investigation was conducted. This type of pig
keeping does not produce slurry, but manure, which reduces the
need of mineral fertilizers, can be used to increase maize yields and
cuts the cost for builiding and eq uipping feedlots. Our investigation
(1996) show that the total cost of investments per square meter for
deep litter is 30 % lower than for semi –slatted floors (615 DEM/m 2
of semi-slatted floors : 468 DEM/m 2 of deep litter). The advantage
of deep litter for fattening pigs is in reduced environment pollution
due to lower water consumption and lower slurry production.
Investigations were conducted with farmers and project cooperators
and monitored by the Principal Investigator.
Economic Analysis (Profitab ility)
2
Greater profitability of the deep litter system is due to:
- lower water consumption and hence reduced slurry production
by 14,5 to 32,5 %
- lower consumption of expensive mineral fertilizers in maize
production because of improved soil fertility as a result of
higher humus incorporation into the soil
- lower feed consumption per kg of weight gain by 7,4 % in
comparison with average feed intake during fattening on full
and partially slatted floors
- lower cost per square meter of building and equipping feed
lots by 31 % in comparison with partially slatted floor (no
need for ventilation, fewer feeders, no need for expensive
slats etc.).
Greater profitability of feeders for wett feed in comparison with
feeders for dry feed results from :
- higher daily gain by 12 %
- lower feed consumption per kg of gain by 3 %
- considerable water saving by 3 %
- lower quantity of slurry and lower slurry transportation cost
and building slurry -pits.
Applicability
The results of economic analysis indicate that the system of pig
fattening on deep litter is the most favourable in terms of lesser
environmental pollution and decreased water consumption per pig
(the lowest content of organic matter in waste material and lower
water consumption by 14,5 to 32,5 %).
Applicability of this sys tem increases with the possibilities for its
installation into existing facilities on farms and lower costs for
readaptation.
The results of investigations of effect of feeder types on production
results and water consumption indicate that wett feeders sho uld be
used in feedlots in the country more widely, thus increasing the
economy of production and making pig production ecologically
acceptable.
Applicability of the results obtained in this investigation might be
widely used especially in Slavonia and Bar anja regions, where
conditions exist for pig fattening and straw production, as well as
the need to renew pig production devastated during the war.
Farmers Evaluations
Conditions and interest exist on farms involved in having the
investigation conducted, with the objective to improve pig
production, as it is a basic source of income for farmers in addition
to field crops production. On all farms in Međimurje and Slavonija
3
involved in the investigation, the system of pig feeding from pig trouts on the floo r or automatic feeders and watering from standard
water valves present a large reserve where better production results
and appreciable reduction in feed intake and water consumption
could be accomplished in pig fattening.
The results of this investigation were presented as lectures in
Gudovec and Stubičke Toplice in September and November of 2000,
in Bjelovar (in February 2001) and in Gudovec (in September 2001).
The purpose was to acquaint advanced producers with the latest
innovations in pig production. M any pig growers expressed their
interest in keeping pigs on deep litter and in feeders for wett feed.
Wider application of this system will depend on financial support for
investment into this innovation through favourable loans.
Quantitative and Qualitat ive Data
Results of pigs' body weight measurements, water consumption,
toxic gasses and quality waste material are given in the following
survey:
Items
A) PRODUCTION RESULTS AND
WATER CONSUMPTION
- pig number
- initial live weight, kg
- final live weight, kg
- duration fattening, days
- daily gain, g
- daily feed intake, kg
- feed conversion, kg
- backfat thickness, mm
- dressing percentage
- carcass meat percentage
- daily water consumption, l
- total water consumption per pig, l
- daily straw expend, kg
B) MICROCLIMATE
- temperature, ºC
- relative himidity, %
- ammonia, ppm
- carbon dioxide, %
C) WASTE MATERIAL
- KMnO4, mg O2/l
- BPK5, mg O2/l
- ammonium- N, mgN/l
- total phosphorous, mg P/l
Full floor
Semislatted
floor
30
30,1
103,2
100
731
2,50
3,42
35,7
78,9
52,7
6,9
690
-
25
34,9
100,4
96
683
2,64
3,87
34,3
79,8
50,5
9,10
874
-
16,2
73,0
7,0
0,26
15,5
78,9
7,7
0,33
3.632
72.685
2.525
1.025
9.133
12.655
3.298
127
Depp litter
92
32,0
98,5
100
666
2,27
3,40
36,5
79,1
52,1
5,9
590
0,85
15,8
77,5
13,0
0,27
3.100
23.500
2.020
625
4
The results of the investigatio ns indicate that:
- feed conversion was by 7,4 % lower for deep litter in
comparison with average conversion achieved on full and
partially slatted floors;
- sloughter results were more or less the same regardless of the
system of pig keeping during fattening;
- the lowest water consumption per fattening pig was
accomplished in pig fattening on deep litter by 14,5 % less
than on full floors and by 32,5 less than on partially slatted
floors
- the lowest content of organic matter in waste material
(measured by values of KmnO 4 , BPK5 and ammonium) was
achieved in keeping pigs on deep litter.
The results of investigating the effect of feeders for wett feed on
production results and water consumption during pig fattening were
presented in the survey.
Items
-
daily feed intake, kg
daily gain, g
feed conversion, kg
water consumption, L
water quantity per pig, L
Wett
feeder
2,29
767
2,99
4,86
408
Standard
feeder
2,11
685
3,05
7,65
642
Index
108,5
112,5
97,0
64,0
64,0
Better production res ults and appreciable water saving by 36 %
show that widespread application of feeders for wett feed is
necessary in pig fattening on family farms in Croatia, all the more
reason because feeders can be purchased from the savings achieved
in production of on ly 15 fattening pigs.
Conclusion
Based on the data from this investigation, it can be concluded that
ecologically and economically acceptable pig production might be
achieved by applying the system of pig keeping on deep litter,
especially in Slavonija, where needs and possibilities for its
application exist. More appreciable water saving, lesser production
of slurry and better production results could be achieved by using
feeders for wett feed during pig fattening.
The results of this investigation could provide a basis for
development of new technologies in pig keeping and feeding during
fattening. Their application would assure more economical and
ecologically acceptable pig production thus meeting the world
criteria (EU) of environment protection at th e same time.
Prof.dr.sc. Zvonimir Uremović