Nutrition
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Feed represents the single largest cost element in pig production, accounting for around 55% of the total cost of pig meat production in the UK. Any producer seeking to improve the competitive position of a pig enterprise should review feeding costs and how these could be reduced through more competitive purchase of either raw feed ingredients or complete diets, and improvements in the efficiency with which feed is converted to edible meat.
Feed is also the primary source of emissions to soils, water and air and as environmental legislation tightens to limit emissions, such as nitrate, ammonia and phosphorous, producers must continue to explore ways of improving nutrient capture for meat production and minimise the proportion that is excreted to the environment.