High prices for common cereals and soybeans come and go since ancient times. The only certain about it is that their cycles will continue and what better times to consider alternatives now that prices appear to be normal. After all, when everybody will be looking next for alternatives, when prices will be again high, it will be too late to find and test sources of alternative ingredients.
Feed cost used to make up at least 60% of the cost of raising a pig. When prices for common cereals and soybeans are too expensive, this figure can reach 80%. So, to start with, the general idea is to improve the feed to gain ratio, or feed efficiency. Anything that reduces the amount of feed required per unit of weight gain, it also reduces feed cost per unit of gain. The following are some general ideas regarding non-nutritional and nutritional strategies to control, if not lower, feed cost.
