Download Integrated production systems for outdoor pig breeding herds

Integrated production systems for outdoor pig breeding herds
Approximately 25% of the UK pig breeding herd is kept in outdoor systems, with consumers
preferring this production method. However, adverse environmental impacts (leaching, runoff
and gaseous emissions) can result from the high levels of nutrients deposited on free
draining land, particularly if vegetation is removed from paddocks by sow foraging activity.
The object of this study is to identify and develop practical approaches for the outdoor pig
breeding sector to reduce inputs and diffuse pollution whilst maintaining biodiversity, product
quality, high animal health and welfare standards and the competitiveness of the pig
breeding sector.
Objectives
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Develop methods to induce better spatial distribution of excretory behaviour by
optimising paddock layout and management.
Improve efficiency of feed utilisation by "precision feeding" approaches including parity
feeding, low pollution diets and use of computer models to calculate seasonal feed
requirements.
Improve efficiency of feed utilisation by trough feeding to reduce wastage and
discourage bird aggregation.
Investigate the benefit of undersowing cereals on different soil types when unrung sows
are moved onto autumn stubbles.
Investigate the palatability and persistence of different vegetation types in outdoor sow
paddocks.
Investigate the use of root crops as a home-grown feed ingredient in integrated rotations
and a foraging substrate in sacrifice areas to aid preservation of vegetation cover.
To carry out a desk study to model the impact of different rotation strategies on nutrient
budgeting in outdoor pig systems.
To transfer knowledge gained to the outdoor pig sector.
Approach - PQP (Dalehead Foods pig production section) is providing outdoor pig trial sites
of a scale appropriate to the nature of the objective and bring expertise in commercial
outdoor production and pig nutrition. SRUC is providing the equipment and expertise for
environmental monitoring of experimental paddocks, is responsible for laboratory analyses
and is developing modelling approaches to nutrient budgeting. Newcastle University is
providing expertise in pig behaviour, forage/cover crop agronomy and ornithology, and is
responsible for co-ordination and statistical support services to the project. Regular
communication between the consortium allows progress to be reviewed against project
milestones, results to be discussed, forward planning and dissemination strategies to be
developed and implemented.
Research Sponsors - Defra
Research Partners
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University of Newcastle (Lead Partner)
Dalehead Foods (BQP)