Fattening pigs

In order to assure that the pigs are in a good state of health, it is essential to feed them grain feed as a basis. Selection of these feeds is limited not only by the farmer’s potential, but also the chosen farming method. For example, the rules of ecological farming place emphasis on providing organically grown feed, as well as a diverse range of feed.

Sources of protein for pigs

Correctly heat processed soy beans are an excellent source of protein for feeding weaned piglets and lactating sows. However, it can be very difficult for organic farmers to obtain suitable soy beans, which are usually imported to this country and are also usually genetically modified. Peas are a good alternative to soy beans in our conditions.

By-products from processing beet are another source of protein, which can also be used to feed pigs. Protein feed in particular forms the minimum permitted proportion of conventional feeds in feed.

Grain provides a source of energy

Grains represent the main source of energy when feeding pigs. Corn has the highest energy value out of all the grains. It is fed as coarse meal, but can also be used as production from separate harvesting.

In our conditions the basic feed grain is wheat, however it should not be ground too finely in pig feed. High-quality barley is a suitable alternative. This has a higher proportion of fibre and protein compared to corn. Oats have similar properties. Triticale is another grain used in pig feed.

A mixture of feed limestone, dicalcium phosphate and feed salt is used as a mineral supplement in ecological farming .

Pasture feeding pigs

Although pasturing has a positive effect on the health of pigs, a basic grain feed is still necessary for healthy pigs.

Pasture for pigs will provide different plants for foraging compared to a pasture intended for ruminants. Forage plants for pasturing pigs include for example winter mixtures (including winter barley, winter peas, perennial ryegrass, winter wheat and winter vetch) and spring mixtures (including oats, vetch and peas) and clover and grass.

Pigs can meet most of their feed requirements in pasture from plants and anything else the can find, including naturally occurring herbs, roots and various insect larvae. On the contrary, people who raise pork for their own use also feed kitchen scraps to the omnivorous pig.