Good feed execution means one thing: getting the right feed, in the right amount, to the right pigs at the right time every day, on every farm.
Feed is one of your biggest investments, and how well it moves through your system determines how well your pigs perform. Good feed execution means one thing: getting the right feed, in the right amount, to the right pigs at the right time every day, on every farm.
Feed execution begins well before pigs are received and is a critical control point throughout wean-to-finish production. Daily inspection of feed delivery equipment – pans, troughs, feed tubes, and bins – ensures proper feed flow, prevents bridging or feed hang-ups and mitigates issues than can compromise intake, health, and overall performance. Because multiple production groups often utilize the same feeders in wean-to-finish systems, residual feed from prior groups poses a significant risk. Carryover can cause unintended diet blending, depress early-phase intake, dilute nutrient density targets and increase total feed wastage.
On sow farms, consistent feed flow and calibration of gestation and lactation feeders are required to deliver accurate daily feed targets. Adjusting feeders for individual body condition through calibrated box or electronic sow feeder settings ensures sows receive the metabolizable energy and amino acid levels needed to support fetal growth, maintain optimal body condition at farrowing and maximize milk output.
High-quality feed execution across all stages protects nutrient delivery, minimizes variation, and optimizes reproductive and growth performance.
When walking pens, make sure to keep an eye out on your feed pan coverage. If you see too much feed left over in the feed pan, your feeder adjustments could be open too far. Start tight, watch how pigs respond and make small adjustments until you reach a reliable, repeatable delivery rate. Consistent delivery reduces waste and keeps pigs eating the right amount each day.
Feed execution isn’t just about machinery, it’s about understanding your pigs. Observing pig behavior and how they respond to feed is important in promoting an environment that fosters good feed intake.
In each pen, pigs will develop a natural pecking order where larger, more assertive pigs will push smaller ones away from the feeder. Being able to manage the competition at the feeder by placing smaller pigs into understocked pull-off pens with less competition gives them a greater chance at converting feed to pounds more efficiently. Catching this early allows you to move animals or adjust feeder setups so everyone has fair access.
Seasonal changes affect feed intake, too. Hot barns reduce appetite, cold barns increase it. Your goal is simple: Keep pigs comfortable, dry and hungry enough to eat steadily. Monitoring behavior, adjusting feed delivery and tweaking barn temperature when needed will prevent uneven intake and support consistent growth.
Strong feed execution comes down to consistent routines. Here’s a checklist of daily and weekly tasks that help keep everything running smoothly:
● Feed lines and bins: Check for cracks, wear or buildup. Even small clogs can slow delivery or create uneven flow.
● Motors and augers: Ensure they’re running smoothly. Listen for unusual noises or signs of strain.
● Feed flow: Watch pans, troughs and tube exits to make sure feed is moving consistently. Look for clumps, bridging or piles under tubes.
● Bin levels: Check levels regularly. Sensors help, but nothing replaces a visual inspection.
● Backup systems: Test augers, heaters, curtain motors and emergency generators. A small failure can delay feed quickly, especially in cold weather.
● Staff walkthroughs: Encourage team members to report anything unusual (a cracked tube, odd motor noise or feed pile) immediately.
Even small problems with feed lines, bins or equipment can quickly affect how pigs eat and grow. A clogged pan, cracked tube or slow auger can disrupt intake for an entire pen if not caught early. Daily vigilance is essential.
Feed execution also depends on timing. Late or inconsistent deliveries can disrupt routines and create feed stress for pigs. Communicate clearly with your feed mill year-round: specify delivery times, bin assignments and access instructions. In the winter, be proactive: pass along road conditions, plow access routes if needed and keep trucks moving.
Feed execution is only as strong as the people managing it. Everyone on the team should know what early feed problems look like, who to report them to and what they are responsible for in their area, whether they work with sows, nursery pigs or grow-to-finish groups. When people feel confident in what to watch for and where to take concerns, issues get solved faster and barns run smoother.
Even small issues can become costly quickly if no one notices. Regular team communication prevents downtime, waste and uneven growth.
Feed execution may seem straightforward, but it is the foundation of every productive barn. It is consistent checking, steady adjustment and clear communication, day after day. When feed flows reliably, pigs eat better, barns run smoother and your investment pays off.
Whether managing lactating sows on a farrowing farm or balancing multiple age groups in a wean-to-finish barn, the most productive operations share one trait: Feed gets where it needs to go, every single day.
