Feed processing to maximize feed efficiency” is the headline of Chapter 6 (21 pp.). Swine production operations must
undertake a comprehensive review of their feeds and feeding programs. The increased demand for cereal grains in the
bio-fuels sector resulted in a significant increase in grain prices (esp. corn) in recent years. Therefore new technologies in
the feed industry and evaluation of co-products are of long term importance for the swine industry. Feed mills and swine
farmers must continuously evaluate the value of ingredients, particle size, mash versus pelleted feed and the actual costs of
feed on the market.
“The genetic and biological basis of residual feed intake as a measure of feed efficiency” is described in Chapter 7 (14 pp.).
In the 1960s residual feed intake came into discussion on feed efficiency. Residual feed intake is defined as the difference
between observed feed intake and expected feed intake based on expected requirements for production and maintenance.
In some cases it is not easy to follow the theory, but the authors of the chapter show some advantages of residual feed intake
in selection experiments developed at the Iowa State University.
Chapter 8 (15 pp.) deals with “Pig breeding for improved feed efficiency”. Since the introduction of electronic feeders, the
pig breeding industry has made good genetic improvements in feed efficiency. The authors give examples of how genetic
variation in basal metabolism may influence residual feed intake and how selection for growth and body composition
traits and residual feed intake leads to genetic change in feed intake and in feed