Using pig feed is a great shortcut for farmers. Many crop straws and leaves can be turned into high-quality pig feed, offering both nutrition and cost savings. These feeds are not only healthy but also loved by pigs, making them an efficient and economical choice for raising pigs. Here are some of the best options:
1. Sweet Potato Vines: During the sweet potato harvest season, a large amount of vines are left behind. These can be dried in the sun, then crushed and fermented to make a nutritious feed. To prepare it, mix the crushed vines with hot water (80–90°C) in a clean container to form a thick paste. Cover it and keep the temperature between 55–60°C for about 4 hours. Once it turns yellow and sweet, it’s ready to feed to pigs.
2. Soybean Leaves: Rich in crude protein, fat, calcium, and phosphorus, soybean leaves are a great alternative when protein feed is scarce. They can be fed fresh, ensiled, or ground and mixed into the diet.
3. Pine Needle Powder: Pine needles are packed with essential nutrients, including 18 amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and carotene. Adding 5–8% pine needle powder to pig feed can improve growth rates, immunity, and overall profitability. The process involves collecting, drying, crushing, and sieving the needles to create a fine powder.
4. Corn Stalks: These cannot be directly fed to pigs. Instead, they should be fermented using a special starter like Goldbeat Type II. Crush the stalks into 3–5 cm pieces, mix with a 1:10 ratio of the starter and rice bran, add water to reach 60% moisture, and ferment for 3–5 days.
5. Sunflower Discs: These have a natural sweetness that increases pig appetite. After sun-drying, they can be torn into small pieces and ground into flour. High in calcium and fructose, they’re ideal for piglets and sows, promoting better growth and health.
By utilizing these agricultural by-products as pig feed, farmers can reduce costs, improve sustainability, and enhance productivity. For more details, visit the official website or consult local experts.