Evaluation of a 2 Phase Vs. 1 Phase Starter Program During The First 14 Days Post-Weaning

There are some nursery unit managers who would prefer using one starter product in bulk during the first 14 days post-weaning as opposed to bringing in 3 to 4 pounds of a bagged starter followed by 6 to 7 pounds of another starter in bulk. The advantages to using one starter in bulk would be simplicity and less labor in handling bags of the first starter in a two-phase program. While a two-phase starter program would be the most efficient biologically in feeding a pig, we formulated a diet that contained a blend of ingredients and nutrients from both of the two-phase starters to create a single starter product. This product would be fed for roughly the first two weeks post-weaning.

In Treatment 1, we used NexGen 12-17 for the first 7 days followed by NexGen 17-25 the next 7 days, simulating our current two-phase program with all diets fed in meal. In Treatment 2 we fed a single product for the first 14 days. The comparison of these two programs during the first two weeks post-weaning is shown in Table 1 from trials conducted at the Kent Product Development Center.

During Days 0-7, pigs on the two-phase program had numerically better gain, feed efficiency and cost of gain compared to those on the one-phase diet. The poor feed efficiencies were a result of the pigs having some sickness the first few days before they started eating and growing better as observed during Days 7-14. During Days 7-14, the pigs on the one-phase program had numerically better gain and feed efficiency compared to those on the two-phase program. In contrast, cost of gain was higher on the one-phase program. After 14 days on test, the pigs performed the same between both programs with cost of gain being significantly lower on the two-phase program compared to the one-phase program along with a slightly higher net return ($0.10/pig). Net return is calculated as the value of pig gain (at $0.80/lb) minus the feed cost to put that much gain on. During Days 14-34, all pigs were fed standard NexGen 25-40 grind and mix diets for the next 20 days as shown in Table 2.

During Days 14-34, when pigs were all fed similar diets, there were no statistical differences in performance and cost of gain. Overall (Days 0-34), we had similar performance with a small numerical advantage in cost gain and net return ($0.19/pig) for pigs fed the two-phase starters during Days 0-14 compared to the one-phase starter during Days 0-14.

 DISCUSSION:

For producers who want to use a two-phase starter program during Days 0-14, there are small advantages in cost of gain and a slightly higher net return by feeding pigs two separate diets. However, the product we formulated to be used as a “1 Starter Product” for the first 14 days does result in solid performance with the benefit of a producer ordering this product in bulk only and avoiding bags and labor costs. So this product (NexGen 1 Phase) will now be offered for producers wanting this option in their nursery programs.

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