Summary
This field trial compared restricted feeding in the grower phase (95–67% of recommended supply from 30–70 kg live weight) followed by ad libitum feeding in the finisher phase against continuous ad libitum feeding in mobile pasture-reared pigs. Restricted–ad libitum fed pigs showed numerically higher growth during realimentation (1419 vs 1348 g/d) and covered a substantially greater proportion of energy needs from pasture foraging (25% during restriction, 10% during realimentation) compared to ad libitum controls (14% and 6%, respectively), whilst maintaining comparable overall feed conversion efficiency. The findings suggest potential for reducing concentrate inputs in free-range pig systems without compromising growth performance.
Regional applicability
Denmark has a significant outdoor pig production sector, and the mobile paddock system and pasture-based approach are relevant to United Kingdom outdoor pig enterprises. However, this study's climate, pasture quality, and pig genetics may differ from typical UK conditions; transferability would require validation under British soil, forage species, and seasonal conditions.
Key measures
Average daily gain (g/d), concentrate feed conversion efficiency (MJ ME/kg LW gain), proportion of daily energy requirements from foraging (%), slaughter age (days)
Outcomes reported
The study measured growth performance (daily gain, slaughter weight, duration), feed efficiency (concentrate conversion ratio), and energy intake from pasture foraging versus concentrate feed under two feeding strategies in a rotational mobile pasture system.
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