Commercial implications of stocking arrangements
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
1993
Conference Title
Fourth Biennial Conference of the Australasian Pig Science Association
Place of Publication
Canberra, ACT
ISBN
0 646 15832 5
Keywords
swine, pigs, meat quality
Disciplines
Animal Sciences | Meat Science | Other Animal Sciences
Abstract
The major objective of commercial pig production is to maximize profitability. The intensification of pig production has naturally meant a major investment in buildings and, as such, there is a need to maximize return on this investment. Thus, there is often a temptation to maximize throughput by increasing stocking density in the belief that this will ultimately increase profitability. However, the negative effects of overstocking on performance, as detailed in the previous papers of this Symposium, may negate any potential gains. In the past, it has been difficult to calculate the impact of such management practices on profitability because it is a dynamic process involving a number of interacting factors, most of which are specific for a particular piggery. Fortunately, the pig industry now has at its disposal the AUSPIG simulation model (Black et al., 1986), a sophisticated computer program designed specifically to consider the major factors known to influence a pig's performance and piggery profitability. The objectives of this paper are to predict the effects a change in stocking density has on pig performance and profitability, and to investigate ways a producer may address a stocking density problem.
Recommended Citation
Mullan, B P.
(1993), Commercial implications of stocking arrangements, Fourth Biennial Conference of the Australasian Pig Science Association, Canberra, ACT, pp.104-113.
https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/conf_papers/118
