Feeding fattening pigs according to the AHRHOFF concept saves nitrogen and phosphorus
According to the currently valid fertilizer ordinance, the fertilizer requirement is reduced by a further 20% in areas with particularly high nitrate levels, the so-called “red areas”.
The DLG has published calculated nutrient excretions depending on different feeding methods and performance levels for fattening pigs (leaflet 418). What is crucial is that the AHRHOFF diet has lower crude protein and phosphorus contents than the already very strongly N- and P-reduced feeding concept the DLG mentioned.
If significantly less crude protein and phosphorus is fed to a fattening pig, the nutrient excretion per fattening pig also decreases. In a trial, carried out at the Futterkamp Teaching and Research Center, nutrient excretion was analysed for two AHRHOFF feeding concepts by measuring the amount of manure and nutrients excreted.
No difference was found between the groups regarding daily weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency. Carcass quality was identical in both groups. The index points per kg carcass weight were at 1.004. The calculated manure loss and the calculated nutrient excretion per fattening pig differed greatly from the values published by the DLG. The DLG states an excretion of 3.55 kg N and 0.52 kg P at a daily weight gain level of 850 g (sex ratio 50:50).
The trial showed a calculated nutrient excretion of 2.99 kg N and 0.73 kg P per fattening pig in the control group and 2.59 kg N and 0.66 kg P per fattening pig in the experimental group. The nitrogen excretion in both groups (both groups were fed AHRHOFF mineral feed) is significantly below the DLG level. At 0.38 m3 per fattening pig, the manure output is considerably lower than in the control group, which received more crude protein.
Two feeding concepts from AHRHOFF were compared. The control group was fed Segawean® F A56 (lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, valine) and the experimental group was fed Segawean® F A66 (additionally isoleucine). The use of the next limiting amino acid isoleucine is necessary to be able to further reduce the crude protein content in the diet and thus, to avoid carcass deficits. In the pre-fattening phase, all animals initially received Segawean® Boost to ensure an optimal start into the main fattening phase with high feed intake and a healthy gut. Once they weigh 75 kg, the animals in the test group received only 12.8 % crude protein per kg feed.
Conclusion:
The reduction of nutrients through the diet plays a decisive role. By including 6 essential amino acids via the mineral feed Segawean® FA66, it is possible to further reduce the crude protein content without any losses of performance or carcass quality. State-of-the-art phytases make it possible to manage pigs without phosphorus supplementation in the mineral feed during fattening. This was proven in the performance and carcass quality in the trial in Futterkamp. In particular, the reduced manure quantity and nutrient excretion (nitrogen and phosphorus) with the supplementation of 6 amino acids make pig fattening more efficient. In addition to the improved performance of the animals, the reduced N and P feeding also has a very positive effect on the material flow balance. According to the DLG, even the Segawean® FA5 concept can be classified below the level of the greatly reduced N and P feeding concept when creating an individual material flow balance of the farm. With 1500 pig fattening places, for example, 8 hectares of arable land can be saved.
