By using the system,
U of I researchers will be able to calculate the amount of feed
necessary to achieve optimal growth rates in the 1,200-animal
facility. The amount of feed can be varied literally pen-to-pen,
enabling the researchers to have exact data on the performance of
pigs fed different diets.
The precise measuring
system will allow the researchers to calculate costs down to the
level of cents. While that might seem like a lot of work for a small
return, Furtney puts it in perspective.
"Hog production today
has very tight margins. When you're talking about producing 100,000
to 200,000 pigs per year, a few cents here and there adds up to a
lot of money," he said.
Ellis said the
research approach represents an important new direction for the U of
I.
"In this project, we have university
personnel working directly with pork producers to find answers to
questions that can spell the difference between profit and loss," he
said. "Hopefully, this approach will help improve the economic
competitiveness of the Illinois swine industry."
