A decision support tool for sustainable swine nutrition

Precision livestock farming and nutrition has a great potential to contribute to more sustainable animal production systems. In precision nutrition systems, the aim is to feed the animals according their individual requirements. For that purpose, instead of using static table values, dynamic models are needed to determine nutrient requirements of a certain genotype. The aim of the presentation is to illustrate the application of a model that predicts the nutrient (energy, protein, and phosphorus) partitioning in growing and fattening pigs. The model integrates different aspects and estimates the animal response to dietary and some environmental factors. Therefore, it seems an appropriate tool to be included in precision feeding systems. A properly calibrated growth model predicts the performance of an individual by simulating changes in daily gain, feed conversion ratio, and the composition of the body in relation to different inputs in a dynamic way. Growth models can therefore be used effectively to identify an appropriate strategy for sustainable pig production. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 633531.