Kunekune Nutrition 101

Feed Management for Optimal Health

May 23, 2020 at 10:30 am
 Do Kunekunes need forage?

Pastured Animals Have:

• Lower Stress
• Reduced health
issues
• Reduced respiratory
issues
• Increased hardiness
• Increased leg
soundness
YES! Yes, • Higher plane of
they do! nutrition
Tips for Successful grazing:
1. Forage Availability: Pigs prefer to graze from 3-8 inches
2. Forage Palatability: Keep forage young and growing
3. Forage Digestibility: Clip pastures (if possible) between grazing cycles to promote good regrowth and discourage weeds
5. Stocking density: balance number of animals with available forage
6. Rotate often between high protein / high energy pastures if possible
6. Provide water access, shade / shelter at all times, wallows in summer
7. Plan for parasite control: ticks, mosquitos, flies, internal parasites
8. Rotate wormers: 28 days between grazing periods will break parasite cycle
9. Monitor comfort level and natural herd behavior
 Grazing Management tool:
• How many pigs can my pasture support?
• Measures total forage available
• 300 lbs DM/acre/inch = 2100 lbs DM/acre
• 25-35 pigs / acre when grazed to 3.5 inches
• DMI is influenced by diversity, density, height
and tillers per plant
• DMI=bite size x bite rate x time spent
• DMI is highest on day one in rotation
 FORAGE TESTING LABORATORY ------------------------ ---- ---- --------
DAIRY ONE, INC. |Sample Description |Farm|Code| Sample |
Fresh Forage Test Results: Dry Matter Basis 730 WARREN ROAD
ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850
|MMG PASTURE | |012 |15571760|
|------------------------ ---- ---- --------|
607-257-1272 (fax 607-257-1350) | |
1. Crude Protein: 23% |-------------------------------------------|
-------- -------- -------- -- -- | Analysis Results |
|Sampled | Recvd |Printed |ST|CO| |------------------------- -------- --------|
2. ADF: Indigestible Fiber 29 | |09/01/19|09/01/19| | | | Components | As Fed | DM
-------- -------- -------- -- -- |------------------------- -------- --------|
|

3. NDF: All fiber in the plant 52 PASTURE #8 MMG

CAROL DEYOUNG
6244 STATE RT 79
|% Moisture
|% Dry Matter
|% Crude Protein
| 83.5 |
| 16.5 |
| 3.9 | 23.9 |
|
|

4. Total Digestible Nutrients: 61 CHENANGO FORKS, NY 13746-1506 |% Available Protein

|% ADICP
|
|
3.7 | 22.3 |
.3 | 1.6 |
|% Adjusted Crude Protein | 3.9 | 23.3 |
5. Relative Feed Value 119 -------------------------
ENERGY TABLE - NRC 2001
|Soluble Protein % CP
|Degradable Protein %CP
|
|
| 29
| 66
|
|
------------------------- |% NDICP | 1.1 | 6.5 |

*Frost seeding to improve pasture quality DE, 1X

Mcal/Lb Mcal/Kg
------- -------
1.30 2.88
|% Acid Detergent Fiber
|% Neutral Detergent Fiber|
|% Lignin
|

|
4.8 | 29.2 |
8.6 | 51.9 |
.8 | 4.8 |
ME, 1X 1.11 2.46 |% NFC | 2.8 | 17.3 |
NEL, 3X 0.64 1.41 |% Starch | .6 | 3.6 |
NEM, 3X 0.67 1.48 |% WSC (Water Sol. Carbs.)| 1.2 | 7.4 |
NEG, 3X 0.40 0.89 |% ESC (Simple Sugars) | 1.2 | 7.2 |
------------------------- |% Crude Fat | .6 | 3.5 |
TDN1X, % 61 |% Ash | 1.64 | 9.94 |
------------------------- |% TDN | 10 | 61 |
|NEL, Mcal/Lb | .10 | .60 |
|NEM, Mcal/Lb | .10 | .59 |
|NEG, Mcal/Lb | .05 | .33 |
|Relative Feed Value | | 119 |
|% Calcium | .12 | .73 |
|% Phosphorus | .07 | .40 |
|% Magnesium | .04 | .24 |
|% Potassium | .46 | 2.77 |
|% Sulfur | .05 | .29 |
|% Chloride Ion | .21 | 1.30 |
| | | |
|% Lysine | .15 | .93 |
|% Methionine | .05 | .33 |
| | | |
|Horse DE, Mcal/Lb | .16 | .98 |
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------------------------- -------- --------
Page 1

Run: 9/1/2019 4:38:17PM Report 1C

Quality Forage-Healthy Soil:

1. Soil Health: the foundation of any

pasture-based system and crucial for
the health of grazing animals
2. Soil Testing: reveals what's lacking in
pasture AND in the hay
3. Deficiencies: Calcium and selenium
are lacking in NY soils
4. PH is very low=lower overall nutrients
(especially vitamins/minerals) in
forage
5. Improve soil health : compost,
rotational grazing, frost-seeding
legumes, lime, and fertilizer.
 Do Kunekunes need a complete balanced grain?

Yes, they do!

Nutritional Requirements

1. Phase feeding grain

• Gestation: 3 to 4 lbs /day
• Lactation: Maintenance+ ¼ lb. / piglet
• Pre-weaning / weaning: ¼ lb. to ½ lb.
• Grower / Finisher: 1 ½ lb. to 3 lbs. / day
• Maintenance 3 to 4 lbs. / day

2. Effects of Environment on Nutrient Requirements

• Temperature, Wind, Humidity
• Stocking rate: access to water & feed
• Animal size: Group according to size
• Bedding, Housing, Light conditions
• Energy Requirements double when outside temps fall to 10 degrees
• Comfort zone is 55-70*
Feed Ingredients

1. Protein: Contains building blocks for

all lean muscle growth (balance for
Lysine)
2. Fat/carbs: energy, growth,
maintenance, reproduction, lactation,
vitamin and mineral absorption
3. Fiber: aids digestion, gut function
4. Minerals/vitamins: immune system
function, bone development, frame
size, cell function, growth,
reproduction, lactation
5. Probiotics: Gut health, immune system
6. Ammonia Inhibitors: reduce smell
 Goals: Weight, Ages and Feed

1. Age 14-16 months Average 150-175 pounds yields 120-pound hanging weight.

2. Feeding schedule based on a May birth: 2-3% of ideal body weight for grain and hay combined

2. Blue months would need additional dry forage as well in the equation to balance daily needs.

15 months Age in Weeks Pig Weight Goal # days Feed / day Cups # feed
May - June 0-8 2.5-25# 56 .25 # 1/2 14
July - Oct 8 - 16 25-50# 56 .5# 1 cup 28
Nov - Feb 16 - 32 50-75# 112 1.5# 3 cup 168
Mar - May 32 - 52 75-125# 140 1.75# 3 cup 245
June - Aug 52-64 125-175# 84 2.0# 4 cup 168
Total Feed in Pounds from birth to harvest 448 623#

623/50# bags = 12 bags feed / pig from birth to harvest

This is based on a May birth so feed during pasture months will not be as high as winter months. Adjustments
would have to be made if pigs were larger through winter and required more feed.
Body Condition Scoring
1. Visually Assess Daily
• Underconditioned
• Over conditioned
• Feel backbone/ribs
2. Study Condition Scoring Chart
3. Know your target weights

Age Weight Grain

0-8 wks 25 ¼ lb
8-16 25-50 ½- ¾
16-32 50-75 1 ½-1 ¾
32-52 75-125 1 ¾-2
52-64 125-175 2-3
Body Condition Scoring Chart
Over-conditioning:
• reduces fertility
• is hard on feet and legs
• interferes with grazing ability
• reduces quality of life and shortens life span
• both these animals were harvested at a young age because of reproductive failure
• hanging weight of the boar was 340 pounds-estimated live weight of 490 pounds
Healthy Body Condition: 2 weeks pre-farrowing
Crumpet nursing 9 babies
• Good Body Condition Score
• Sets the groundwork for
superior milk production
• Piglets are healthier
• Piglets grow faster with
fewer falling behind
Healthy Body Condition:
• Decreases issues at
farrowing
• Improves milking ability
• Maintains immune system
• Keeps animal productive
• Beneficial for animal welfare
• Allows good growth in large
litters
• Increases overall health and
lifespan
 Undernourished: Starvation Stance Good BC Score: 10 months old
• Returned to me very undernourished Buddy's Sister:
• Misconception: “grass only” • Great body condition
• Misinformation: “require no grain” • Shiny coat
• Rough hair coat • Frame size matches age
• Severely underweight • Improved pasture
• Will not fully recover from this • Grain
• Frame size, bone structure is laid down in that crucial first year • 135 pounds
Water Quality = Animal Health
1. Clean, fresh water at each feeding
2. Adequate access for all animals
3. Necessary for digestion and better feed
conversion
4. Helps maintain strong immune system
Alternative Watering:
• Temperature appropriate: shade
summer, frost free in winter
• Shorter snouts may not be able to
use nipple waterers
• Check at each feeding
• Clean often
Winter Feeding: Hay/Supplements
1. What to look for/ask when buying hay:
• When was it cut?
• Are the fields fertilized and limed?
• Was the hay tedded?
• Did it get rained on?
• Off the wagon/ stacked in mow?
• Type of grass or legume? Weeds?
• Size and density of bale? Weight?
• Visit the field prior to cutting
2. Visual Assessment:
• Seed heads, seed pods = mature forage
• >Leaf to stem ratio indicates good early cut hay
• Color: bright green color = higher vit A and E
• Foreign objects: weeds, mold, wire, twine
• Touch: good hay feels soft, fine, pliable
• Smell: fresh mowed grass, not musty or moldy
Cut Date: May 23 Cut Date: June 7 Cut Date: June 20

All hay is not equal! Get your moneys worth at $3 to $4 /bale.

Forage Test Results Comparison:
Forage #1 Forage #2 Alfalfa
Hay
Crude Protein 8% 20%
ADF: 40 30
NDF: 61 40
TDN: 59 63
Relative Feed Value: 57 150
NELactation .53 .66
NEMaintenace .54 .63
NEGain .28 .36
Alternative Supplements:

1. Fruits, nuts, berries

• In rotation/moderation

2. Vegetables, produce
• High quality, no rot or mold

3. Gleaning or woodland foraging

• Advantage to this is that the pig can balance their own diet

4. Fodder system: Barley, oats, wheat

• Nutrient Dense feed but very labor intensive
Hazelnut, apple and pear
trees along the borders of
the pastures.

Fall and winter grazing:

doing what they do best!
Types of grazing for small acreages:
1. Mob grazing: High stocking
density for short time
2. Strip grazing: narrow strip for
short period with frequent
moving (works on mature grass)
3. Intensive Rotational grazing:
many small paddocks moved
frequently
4. First last grazing: grazing highest
producing animals first then
those needing maintenance
5. Creep grazing: Grazing young
growing animals first then older
animals with lower nutrient
requirements
Grazing Alternative Plants:
1. Dandelions: High in vitamins and minerals
2. Crabgrass: High sugar grass = high energy
3. Plantain: high in vitamins and minerals
4. Thistles: Nutritional equivalent of alfalfa
5. Raspberry Leaves: beneficial minerals
Don’t have any pasture? Dry Lot Alternative
1. Winter in the north is 6-8 months of the year
2. Match a Nutrient dense forage with stage of production
3. Balance the ration to make sure it meets the need for
energy, protein, fat, minerals, vitamins
Resources:
1. Nutrient Requirements: http://porkgateway.org/resource/growing-finishing-swine-nutrient-recommendations-and-feeding-management/s

2. Swine Nutrition Guide: https://animalscience.unl.edu/Extension/Swine/swinenutrition.pdf

3. Hogs, Pigs and Pork: Nutrition, Grazing, Forages: https://swine.extension.org/

4. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/management-and-nutrition/nutrition-pigs/nutritional-requirements-of-pigs

5. https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/agriculture/animals/pigs/feed-nutrition/nutrients-diets/basics

6. Forage and Soil Testing : https://dairyone.com/services/forage-laboratory-services/submitting-a-sample/

7. Ration Ingredients: https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/agriculture/animals/pigs/feed-nutrition/nutrients-diets/digestible-

energy
8. Nutritional Comparison of Grass Fed Pork: https://practicalfarmers.org/research/fatty-acid-comparisons-of-grain-and-forage-fed-pork/

9. Webinars on Grazing: https://foodanimalconcernstrust.org/webinars

10. Sarah Flack Consulting : Grazing Specialist http://www.sarahflackconsulting.com/

11. Walter Jeffries: Sugar Mountain Farm has great info on pasture raised pork http://sugarmtnfarm.com/

12. Daily Water, Temp and Feed Requirements for Pigs (Conventional): https://mfa-inc.com/Portals/0/Feed/Swine/pdf/PIG101.pdf?ver=2018-
11-05-161653-800