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Use of total mixed ration (TMR) for gestating sows
Project
Project code: 2810OE034
Contract period: 01.05.2012
- 31.08.2014
Budget: 100,919 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
The aim of the study is to examine whether the total mixed ration (TMR), known from the feeding of dairy cattle, can be established as an animal-friendly feeding regime and implemented in an economically acceptable way. For this purpose, 69 sows were allocated in five trial runs to one of three dietary treatment groups: a Control group (K) receiving a concentrate diet only and two groups (Kom and TMR) with a restricted supply of the Control diet in combination with clover grass silage (KGS). The group Kom received KGS ad libitum, whereas the group TMR was fed restrictively with a mixture of basal diet and KGS. All three feeding groups were housed in groups of six to eight sows in pens with outdoor runs and fed in two phases. During lactation, all sows received the same lactation diet ad libitum without providing any roughage.
Compared with K, the Kom and TMR diets had no negative effects on the body condition as well as on the reproductive performance of sows. The mean time of feed intake was significantly longer (20 min) in group TMR than in the Control group (13 min). During late pregnancy, social activities were significantly less observed in the group TMR than in group K. There were no differences between the three feeding groups on the amount of feed intake during the lactation period. The labour costs per sow and year for feeding were lower in the TMR group (13.50 €) than in the group Kom (14.10 €), mainly due to a reduced need of KGS and a lack of working hours required for the control of automatic feeders in the group TMR. However, because of higher machine costs, the feeding strategy TMR resulted in higher total costs per sow and year, compared with Kom (-24 €) and K (-96 €), respectively.
In conclusion, the use of the total mixed ration including clover grass silage in feeding of gestating sows may be recommended regarding animal welfare, reproductive performance as well as workload. Further investigations are needed to examine the potential of TMR in terms of cost minimisation.
Section overview
Subjects
- Animal nutrition
- Organic Farming
Framework programme
Federal Organic Farming Scheme and other forms of sustainable agriculture (BÖLN)
