As the cost of raising livestock increases, it is important to be effective with your cost and labor practices with your small farm swine production system, says Casey Zangaro of Michigan State University Extension.

Feed and supplements are typically the largest input cost of swine production systems. That’s why understanding the nutritional value of common feedstuffs, as well as potentially less costly available alternatives used in swine diets, is important.

“When using alternative crop sources in swine diets, consider factors such as nutrient composition, digestibility, anti-nutritional factors and availability. However, considering alternative vitamin and mineral sources for swine, it is crucial to assess the nutrient content, bioavailability and safety of these alternatives. As you integrate alternative carbohydrate sources into swine diets, consider factors such as nutrient composition, digestibility, palatability and availability. Working with an animal nutritionist can help ensure proper formulation and utilization of these alternative protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamin and mineral sources in swine diets, considering the specific nutritional needs of the animals which vary considerably by age and breeding status,” Zangaro recommends.

Protein sources for swine

• Soybean meal is the most frequently used protein source in livestock feed. However, if cost competitive, several alternative crop protein sources can be used in swine diets to supplement or replace traditional sources like soybean meal, though availability and cost vary by region, she notes.

“Most of these crops are grown and processed as a protein source for livestock feed, though some are harvested for their oil fraction and the residual byproducts can be used as a nutrition source for livestock,” Zangaro says.

• Field Peas

Field peas are a great source of essential amino acids, particularly Lysine, the first limiting amino acid for swine, Zangaro points out. However, the contribution of methionine, cysteine and tryptophan is less and needs to be considered when developing a ration that meets the protein requirements for pigs.

“Field pea protein may be further processed into pea protein concentrate or pea protein isolate to create a higher protein ingredient, but the processing may create a high-cost product and has the potential for a higher incidence of heat damage,” she says.

• Canola Meal

Canola meal is a byproduct of the oil extraction process from canola seeds. Canola meal is popular in Canada and has been gaining attention in the U.S. throughout the past decade.

“It is a good source of protein and contains high level of methionine and cystine which are crucial essential amino acids for pigs, but typically has a lower rate of lysine overall,” Zangaro says. “However, canola has potential anti-nutritional factors including phenolic substances, phytate and glucosinolates, which are sulfur-containing phytochemicals known to reduce growth performance.”

• Sunflower Meal

Sunflower meal is produced from the residues remaining after extracting the oil from sunflower seeds. Although this crop is mostly grown in the midwestern U.S., it can be shipped nationally. Sunflower meal contains more fiber than soybean meal and has been known to increase the solubility of protein and phosphorous for growing pigs, she says.

• Sesame Meal

Sesame meal, regularly used in poultry diets, is the byproduct of sesame seed oil extraction and is frequently produced in warmer climates of the U.S. Sesame meal has a high protein content, particularly high in arginine and energy content. Like sunflower meal, sesame meal contains greater amounts of fiber, Zangaro notes.

Protein Sources as-fed basis, NRS (2012)

Alternative fat sources for swine diets

Dietary fat provides energy and essential fatty acids. Alternative sources to soybean oil may be cost-effective at certain times. When incorporating alternative fat sources into swine diets, Zangaro recommends considering fatty acid profile, stability, digestibility and cost. These factors not only define the taste of the pork but also the palatability of the feed source to the pigs.

• Alternative vegetable oils

Alternative vegetable oils include canola oil and sunflower oil that can improve palatability and contain more omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids than traditional animal fats.

• Animal fats

Tallow and lard are available animal fats from rendering. These options should be managed carefully to avoid feeding excessive saturated fat, due to the difficulty of digestion for pigs, Zangaro says. Equipment to melt and keep it in liquid form is required.

• Fish oil

Fish oil is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, in particular EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).

“These fatty acids can have great health benefits for pigs, such as improved reproductive performance and overall immune function. Fish oil can vary in cost and availability depending on regionality and nutritional content,” she says.

• Flaxseed

Flaxseed is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, too. This ingredient also contains ALA (alpha-linoleic acid), which can be further converted into EPA and DHA as the pig digests it. Zangaro says this ingredient can be fed in either ground or processed form. However, the fatty acid profile of flaxseed is different from fish oil and its conversion efficiency may be lower.

Alternative carbohydrate sources for swine

Growth, maintenance and various other physiological processes require energy from carbohydrates. Most cereal grains, such as corn and wheat, are used as carbohydrate sources, but there are alternatives to consider here as well.

• Barley

Barley is regaining popularity in livestock diets, Zangaro says. This cereal grain contains starch and fiber that provide energy and promote gut health. However, its lower energy value and high fiber content will prevent it from completely replacing all the corn used in a grow-finish swine ration, but barley can fully replace corn in weanlings and sow diets, she explains.

• Triticale

Triticale, a hybrid grain created by crossing wheat and rye, has a nutrient profile like wheat and is used in comparable nutrition rations accordingly. This ingredient contains a balance of starch and fiber that wheat and rye contain separately.

• Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a root vegetable that can provide a good source of both energy and dietary fiber in a swine diet, Zangaro explains. They can be processed, typically by grinding or heating up into a dried form or incorporating into swine diets as a component of a mixed ration.

• Sugar beet pulp

Sugar beet pulp is a byproduct of sugar extraction from sugar beets. Zangaro says this highly fibrous carbohydrate source can improve pig gut health. However, sugar beet pulp can also decrease the digestion of protein and amino acids and the absorption rate of protein and carbohydrates in pigs due to the higher rate of fiber within the ingredient.

Carbohydrate Sources as-fed basis, NRS (2012)

^{*Neutral Detergent Fiber of Triticale, %; Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, 2005
^Evaluation of Energy Values of High-Fiber Dietary Ingredients with Different Solubility Fed in Growing Pigs using the Difference and Regression Methods, Liu et al., 2021
^^Dietary Fiber Isolated from Sweet Potatoes Residues Promotes a Healthy Gut Microbiome Gut, Lui et al., 2020
#Net Energy (kcal/kg) for Sweet Potatoes, https://www.feedtables.com/content/sweet-potato-dried}

Vitamin and Mineral Sources for Swine

Vitamins and minerals are essential for overall health, growth and performance for pigs and other livestock. While large commercial swine production systems commonly use vitamin and mineral premixes, alternative sources are available that can supplement or replace traditional vitamin and mineral premix sources.

• Common Feed ingredients

Many common feed ingredients, such as various grains, oilseeds and forages, contain vitamins and minerals that are essential for swine. For example, cereal grains (corn and wheat) contain certain B vitamins, while oilseeds, such as soybeans, contain higher concentrations of vitamin E and minerals like zinc and selenium.

“Including various common ingredients within your swine diets will contribute to a greater amount of the essential vitamins and minerals pigs need for proper growth, assuming the feed ingredients are being fed in adequate amounts,” she says. “While most feed ingredients used in complete swine diets contribute to the vitamin and mineral needs, supplementation of vitamins and minerals may be needed. This is best accomplished by first doing a complete feed analysis to determine which, if any, essential vitamins and minerals are lacking. These results can then be used to guide the selection of some feed ingredient sources that can specifically address those deficiencies.”

• Yeast and yeast derivatives

Yeast and yeast derivatives such as yeast culture or yeast extract can serve as an alternative source of various B vitamins, in particular thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. These products are derived from yeast fermentation and can enhance the vitamin content of swine diets, she says.

• Mineral-rich additives

Select additives can be used to provide specific minerals. Diatomaceous earth can be used as a source of silica, which is valuable for skeletal health, however, some research reports that the digestibility can be low. She adds that bone meal or bone char can provide calcium and phosphorus. However, it is important to ensure that these alternative mineral sources are safe, properly processed and free of contaminants.

Mineral salts and chelated minerals
Mineral salts, such as sulfates and oxides, are often used to supply adequate mineral supplementation in swine diets. Chelated minerals are bound to an organic molecule that improves the mineral’s bioavailability for the pig to digest and absorb.

“Chelated minerals can be used as a good alternative to inorganic mineral sources and have the potential to enhance mineral absorption and utilization by pigs,” Zangaro says.

Consulting with local swine experts, nutritionists, feed mill managers or Extension educators in your area can provide valuable insights tailored to your specific circumstances, she says.