More uniformity within fattening pigs to increase the efficiency of the individual farm and the sustainability of pig production in general

Uniformity within a pig round is important not only for the individual pig farmer but also for the sustainability and efficiency of meat production. Due to a higher uniformity, more animals can be fed close to their needs, there are more animals that can be slaughtered near the optimal slaughter weight and the payout by the slaughterhouse is better. In addition, it is important to have enough similar animals within the same farm to be able to follow the trend of differentiation and to meet the demand of a specific sales market. The aim of the project is to increase efficiency by mapping the factors that influence uniformity at barn level, measuring the associated costs and investigating which strategies are possible to increase uniformity at round level in order to improve the economic, ecological and social added value. The evaluation of uniformity is based on the coefficient of variation on the weights of all animals born in the same week within the same farm at the time of set-up in the finisher house and on the day before slaughter of the first animals. Ultimately, a web tool will be developed so that pig farmers can make cost-efficient decisions in function of increasing uniformity at round level for the benefit of their own company and the sales market. In the future, this will lead to increased economic profitability and ecological added value. This will also ensure that the various pig farms can meet the demand for uniform animals within each specific market.