Modelling feed requirements for pigs to optimize feed efficiency

To ensure sustainable pig production in terms of cost and environmental impact, it is essential to focus on enhancing feed efficiency. This necessitates a precise understanding of the nutrient requirements of both sows and growing pigs, enabling the development of tailored feeding strategies to optimize their performance. In this chapter, various modeling approaches are discussed, which have been designed to predict the nutrient requirements of individual sows or growing pigs. These models take into account factors such as protein/amino acids, energy, minerals, as well as the characteristics of the animal, the feed, and the environmental conditions. The chapter emphasizes the importance of incorporating individual variability among animals into pig feeding models, which can be applied in precision feeding. Furthermore, a case study is presented to illustrate the practical relevance of these models in improving feed efficiency for gestating sows.