Pork producers are in unprecedented times with decreased and reduced operational pork processing facilities due to COVID-19 challenges, resulting in less shackle space for processing available for market-ready pigs.  Form-A-Feed has developed a base product to assist pork producers in “holding” market-size pigs when marketing opportunities do not allow the timely movement of pigs to […]

Written by Gary Asche, Ph.D., Form-A-Feed Swine Nutritionist Form-A-Feed Inc. has been using enzymes beyond phytase for over 20 years.  The first enzyme product was Pig Bloom, which was used in young pig diets to remove the indigestible sugars in soybean meal.   The second version included five enzymes and released energy from the more complex […]

As we look at the piled snow and another cold snap, I know from prior experience that we will be seeing some 50 degree days soon. They probably will come with night temperatures still 30 to 40 degrees colder than that, so we will experience large temperature variations. As we hit that first day of […]

Biotin is a vitamin that is important for carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism through biotin dependent enzymes.   Biotin content in feed ingredients can be variable in both content and bioavailability.   Small grains have poor bioavailability of biotin, and in wheat and barley, it is almost totally unavailable.  Oilseed meal, alfalfa meal and dried yeast are […]

In today’s commercial production facilities, biosecurity is essential for the improvement, maintenance and productivity of our farm animals. Disease outbreaks can have a tremendous negative impact by increasing mortality, increasing production costs, reducing productivity, and decreasing average daily gain which in turn affects the producers’ bottom line. One of the biggest contributors negatively affecting profitability […]

Managing heat stress is crucial in maximizing swine productivity and production. According to Iowa State University, heat stress causes an estimated $330 million in annual losses to the United States swine industry.  During heat stress, the pigs’ body experiences an increase in the blood plasma pH and a decrease in intracellular pH. The pig will […]

As third and fourth generation phytase enzymes started to be used commonly in feeds, we realized that phytate, the major storage form of phosphorus in plants, is much more of an anti-nutrient limiting performance of swine than just an underutilized nutrient. One of the main reasons why phytate depresses performance is because it has a […]

Pork producers use feed budgets to more accurately feed a group of pigs.  Feed budgets should be calculated by pounds per head for each ration whenever possible.  Feeding based off of days does not account for intake fluctuations created on stocking density, health, and environment.  The simplest information can be the most difficult to get […]

Pellet mills and pelleted feeds have been around since the early 1930’s when the company that would eventually become California Pellet Mill (CPM) created their first 30 horsepower mill. While pelleting feed may not be a new concept, pelleted feeds continue to expand into more segments of livestock production. Most swine producers are accustomed to […]