In the pig house at Mære, we are conducting trials with new FORMAT concentrate feed for lactating sows on behalf of Felleskjøpet Agri and Felleskjøpet Fôrutvikling. These trials are ongoing.
In 2013, the joint purchase launched a completely new concept of feed for sows, based on testing conducted at Mære Agricultural School. Subsequently, several adjustments have been made to the range based on data capture from the pig house at Mære. Learn more about Phase Feeding of Sows with Format.
Feed consumption during lactation
The FS (piglet birth) departments are mainly used for concentrate trials on behalf of Felleskjøpet Fôrutvikling. The trials mainly take place throughout the lactation period, but in some trials the growth of the piglets is followed until slaughter or the gestation period is included as part of the trial. We divide the sows into 2 groups/stages, an experimental group and a control group (experimental stage and control stage).
We record feed consumption of the sows during the lactation period via a Daltec dry feeding system with portion feeding in a long-term. The feeding system has 3 intake stations, 2 with standard feed and one with experimental feed. The feeding system is also used during the piglet period so that a feed mixture is adapted to piglets after weaning.
In addition to recording feed consumption, a number of records are made around piglet rearing. The piglets and sows are weighed at birth and weaning to record litter growth and weight change during the lactation period. These records are sent to the researchers in the feed development joint purchase and used as a data basis.
