One sheet includes a decision tool that producers can use to measure their current practices against research-tested methods.
"Producers can use that to troubleshoot their operation; if their efficiency is not where they want it to be, they go through the decision tree to see what areas they can check out," Tokach said. "Or, they can plug in things they're currently doing into a feed efficiency model on the website that tells them it's good enough, or maybe they should change temperature in the barn, change diets, or change the way their feed is processed."
Since the 2012 survey, the researchers have conducted field trials with farmers in Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota.
"Each project was done with different production systems to give the data more credence since it was done in many locations and in the field," Tokach said. "Each project explored a different area that influences feed efficiency, such as the level of dried distiller grains, feed particle size, pelleting or sow feed usage."
Also in the field trials, Iowa State University researchers focused on genetic selection as a factor of feed efficiency. Their work led to a genetic line selected for improved feed utilization.
The $5 million project is funded through 2017 by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Tokach said that the federal agency's support is a testament to the importance of feed efficiency on the farm. The annual value of hog feed in the U.S. is $10 billion, and feed accounts for 65-70 percent of the cost of raising a pig, he said.
The work done by Kansas State University and Iowa State University is being updated regularly online. Tokach and many others have been sharing the research results at numerous workshops, professional meetings and in the mass media.
Tokach said feed efficiency will be a hot topic during the university's annual Swine Day, which is Nov. 19 in Manhattan. Nearly 400 U.S. swine producers and industry professionals typically attend the annual meeting.
Source: Kansas State University