PIG FINISHER (16 WEEKS TO SLAUGHTER)

Finisher feed helps to maximise weight gain, improve feed efficiency, enhance
meat quality and body fat.

Key Features of Finisher Feed

High Energy Content
Moderate Protein Levels
Vitamins and Minerals
Digestibility Additives

1. High Energy Content:

   • Provides ample calories for weight gain and fat deposition, usually from grains like corn, barley, or sorghum.
   • Helps achieve the desired carcass quality and grading (e.g., Prime, Choice).

2. Moderate Protein Levels:

   • Protein content is typically lower than grower feed, around 10–12%, as the focus shifts to fattening rather than lean muscle growth.

3. Vitamins and Minerals:

   • Calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals to support overall health and prevent issues like acidosis.
   • Vitamin A and E for meat quality and immune function.

4. Digestibility Additives:

   • Ingredients like buffers or ionophores (e.g., monensin) to enhance digestion, improve feed efficiency, and prevent digestive disorders.

Nutritional Composition of Finisher Feed

• Crude Protein: 10–12%
• Energy: High (net energy for gain > 65 Mcal/cwt)
• Fiber: Low (<10%) to allow for higher intake of energy-dense grains.
• Calcium-to-Phosphorus Ratio: 2:1 to prevent urinary calculi.
• Additives: Probiotics, yeasts, and antibiotics (where legally permissible).

Common Ingredients in Cattle Finisher Feed

1. Grains: Corn, sorghum, barley, or wheat for energy.
2. By-products: Distillers’ grains, molasses, or soybean hulls to provide protein and palatability.
3. Roughage: Minimal amounts of hay or silage to maintain rumen function.
4. Minerals: Limestone, dicalcium phosphate, and trace mineral premixes.
5. Additives: Buffers (e.g., sodium bicarbonate), ionophores (e.g., monensin), and growth promotants (if allowed).

Feeding Guidelines

1. Transitioning to Finisher Feed:

   • Gradually introduce finisher feed over 7–10 days to avoid digestive upset.
   • Reduce the amount of roughage as grain proportions increase.

2. Feeding Rate:

   • Offer feed at 2–2.5% of the animal’s body weight (dry matter basis).
   • Ensure cattle have constant access to clean water.

3. Monitoring Performance:

   • Track average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) to evaluate the feed’s effectiveness.

Example Finisher Ration (Per Day for a 1,200-lb Animal)

• Corn (Cracked): 15–18 lbs
• Soybean Meal: 1–2 lbs
• Alfalfa Hay: 1–2 lbs
• Mineral Mix: 0.1–0.2 lbs
• Molasses: 0.5 lbs (optional for palatability)

Benefits of Finisher Feed

• Maximizes feed efficiency and weight gain.
• Enhances meat quality, including marbling and tenderness.