Swine Production Best Management Practices
Best management practices (BMPs) are a set of practices used by farmers to reduce the amount of soil, nutrients, pesticides and microbial contaminants entering surface water and groundwater while maintaining or improving the productivity of agricultural land. This list of BMPs is a guide for selection and implementation of practices that will help swine farmers conserve soil and protect water and air resources by reducing pollutants. (PDF format only) |
Diet Supplement May Improve Sow Performance During Lactation
The 2003 agricultural statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicate that litter size per sow has increased over the past decade. As litter size increases, the sow must increase milk production so that the baby pigs can maintain a healthy growth rate. To produce milk, the sow must use a combination of nutrients derived from her diet and from the fat and protein stores in her body. |
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Adding Phytase Proves Positive for Poultry, Swine Diet
Phytate is a compound found in many common feed ingredients that decreases nutrient availability in animal diets. The main anti-nutritional effect of phytate is that it makes phytate phos-phorus unavailable for digestion and absorption by nonruminants such as swine and poultry. Phytate also has negative effects on digestive enzymes, trace minerals, calcium, protein and amino acids, and carbohydrates. |
Trace Minerals for Swine and Poultry
Trace minerals are important nutrients in diets for swine and poultry. They are required for growth, bone development, feathering in chickens, enzyme structure and function, and appetite. Over the past 20 years, scientists in the LSU AgCenter have played an important role in understanding the need for and use of trace minerals in diets for animals. |
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