The shift from winter to spring brings challenges for pig producers, including fluctuating temperatures and changes in pigs’ nutritional needs. Adjusting feed strategies is critical to maintain growth and health during this transition.
Kathryn Thompson :: Tuesday 4th February 2025 :: Latest Blog Posts
Optimising Pig Nutrition: Transitioning from Winter to Spring
The shift from winter to spring brings challenges for pig producers, including fluctuating temperatures and changes in pigs' nutritional needs. Adjusting feed strategies is critical to maintain growth and health during this transition.
Drawing on both her personal knowledge as a nutritionist and the expert advice from their pig specialists nutrition advisors, Kathryn, from BW Feeds, offers some practical advice on tailoring diets to seasonal demands, ensuring your herd stays productive and healthy.
Understanding Seasonal Nutritional Needs
In winter, pigs need more energy to stay warm, which often means feeding energy-rich diets. As temperatures rise in spring, these energy demands decrease, and maintaining the same diet can lead to excess fat gain and wasted feed. Variable spring weather can also cause digestive stress, making it vital to ensure pigs receive a balanced diet with adequate protein, vitamins and minerals. Producers should monitor pigs' condition closely, adjusting feed as needed.
Adjusting Energy and Protein Levels
As energy needs drop with warmer weather, it's important to lower the energy density of feed. This can be done by reducing high-calorie ingredients and introducing fibre-rich alternatives. Protein remains crucial for growth and lean muscle, especially for finishing pigs, but overfeeding protein can be inefficient and costly. Diets should be adjusted based on the herd's growth stage and production goals. Sows, for example, need nutrient-dense feeds to support reproduction, while growers and finishers benefit from balanced energy and protein levels. Gradual changes in feed composition help avoid digestive upsets, keeping pigs on track for steady growth.
Enhancing Gut Health and Immunity
Spring's unpredictable weather can weaken pigs' immune systems, increasing their risk of illness. Supporting gut health is key to preventing problems. Dietary fibre aids digestion, while prebiotics and probiotics can stabilise gut flora. Trace minerals such as zinc and selenium, along with vitamins A, D and E, play a critical role in boosting immunity. Including these nutrients in your feed plan helps pigs cope with stress during seasonal changes, ensuring they maintain good health. Tailored supplementation, based on herd-specific needs, can prevent common setbacks like reduced feed efficiency or digestive issues during this period.
Utilising Seasonal Forage
Spring forage can add valuable nutrients and fibre to pigs' diets, but it needs careful management. Sudden changes to feed can cause digestive upsets, so introduce forage gradually. Assess the quality and composition of available forage to ensure it complements your pigs' base diet. Keep an eye on growth rates and feed efficiency, making adjustments as needed. While forage can be a useful addition, it should always form part of a balanced nutritional programme to avoid nutrient gaps or inefficiencies.
Tailoring Diets for Different Production Stages
Nutritional needs vary by production stage, so feed plans should be tailored to each group. Piglets need high-protein diets with essential amino acids to support growth, while growers require a balance of energy and protein for steady development. For finishers, the focus shifts to promoting lean growth and meat quality, avoiding excess fat. Breeding sows need diets rich in energy and nutrients to support pregnancy and lactation. A one-size-fits-all approach isn't effective, particularly during seasonal changes. Customised feeding strategies ensure every pig gets what it needs for optimal health and performance, no matter the season.
Practical Feeding Strategies
Transitioning diets requires careful planning. Gradual adjustments over 7–10 days allow pigs' digestive systems to adapt without disruptions to feed efficiency. Regularly monitor body condition, feed intake and behaviour for early signs of stress or imbalances. Spring is also an ideal time to assess feeding systems, ensuring accurate portioning and reducing waste.
About BW Feeds
BW Feeds provides high-quality, tailored feed solutions to support pig producers across the UK. With decades of experience, we understand the challenges farmers face during seasonal changes and offer feeds formulated to meet the specific needs of your herd. Our on-farm mixing services and expert advice ensure your pigs receive the best nutrition at every stage. Whether you're adjusting diets for spring or planning ahead, BW Feeds is here to help you maximise productivity and maintain herd health. Contact us today to discuss how we can support your business.
A version of this article was first published in Pig World Magazine in February 2024