# Swine Feed Budgeting: Calculating Feed Needs by Stage ## Key Takeaways - Feed represents 60-75% of swine production costs, making accurate budgeting critical for profitability and operational efficiency. - Feed intake varies significantly by stage: nursery pigs (12-50 lbs) consume 1.5-2.0 lbs/day, growers (50-150 lbs) consume 4-5 lbs/day, and finishers (150-280 lbs) consume 6-8 lbs/day. - Feed conversion ratio (FCR) is a key metric, typically ranging from 2.8-3.2 for the grow-finish period, with nursery diets achieving better FCR (1.4-1.8) due to nutrient density and lean tissue deposition. - Budgeting should be based on target weights and expected gain, not calendar days, to account for variations in genetics, environment, and health status, with a 3-5% inventory cushion for waste and errors. - Monitoring actual feed disappearance against the budget monthly is essential to identify issues like feeder malfunction, disease challenges impacting intake, or deviations in market weights, allowing for timely adjustments. --- Feed is the single largest ongoing expense on a swine operation, typically accounting for 60 to 75 percent of total production costs. For that reason, a working feed budget is not a bookkeeping nicety. It is a management tool that keeps pigs gaining efficiently, keeps feed trucks arriving on schedule, and keeps cash flow predictable from weaning to market. This guide explains how to calculate feed needs for each stage of pig production, how to build a stage by stage feed budget, and how to use that budget to make better purchasing and feeding decisions. It is written for independent producers, farm managers, and anyone who plans feed inventories for farrow to finish, feeder pig, or [wean to finish](/knowledge/animal-farming/swine/wean-to-finish-pig-production-facilities-management-and-economics) operations. ## At a Glance - A 250 head feeder to finish group from 50 pounds to 280 pounds will need roughly 50 to 55 tons of complete feed, assuming a feed conversion of 3.0 to 3.2. - Weaned pigs from 12 to 50 pounds eat about 1.5 to 2.0 pounds of feed per day on average, with intake climbing quickly as they grow. - Grower pigs from 50 to 150 pounds consume 3 to 5 pounds per day, while finisher pigs from 150 to 280 pounds eat 6 to 8 pounds per day. - [Feed conversion ratio](/knowledge/animal-farming/poultry/feed-conversion-ratio-measuring-improving-poultry-efficiency) (FCR) is the pounds of feed required to produce one pound of gain. A typical operation runs between 2.8 and 3.2 for the grow finish period. - Build your budget from target weights, not calendar days, because growth rate varies with genetics, housing, and season. - Add 3 to 5 percent inventory cushion for spillage, waste, and weigh tape error. - Review your budget monthly against actual feed disappearance and adjust for weather, health events, and market weights. ## Why Feed Budgeting Matters Feed budgeting is the process of estimating how much feed a group of pigs will consume from one point in the production cycle to the next. It is forward looking. You calculate expected intake based on the number of pigs, their current weight, their target weight, and the expected feed conversion for your facility and genetics. Then you compare that estimate to the feed you have on hand, the feed you have ordered, and the storage space you control. A feed budget serves several practical purposes. It tells you when to order feed so you never run out on a weekend. It tells you how much grain and supplement to contract or buy ahead. It gives you a benchmark to compare actual feed use against expected use, which helps you spot problems like a broken feeder, a leaking bin, or a disease challenge that is hurting intake. It also helps you decide whether to sell pigs at a lighter weight or push them to a heavier market weight, because you can calculate the additional feed cost of each extra pound of gain. Producers who skip feed budgeting tend to run out of feed at the worst possible time, overorder and tie up cash in inventory, or miss the early signs of a feed efficiency problem. A simple spreadsheet budget takes less than an hour per group and pays for itself many times over in avoided emergencies. ## Understanding Swine Feed Consumption by Stage To build a feed budget you need a working knowledge of how much pigs eat at each stage of life. The numbers below are practical planning figures for a typical commercial crossbred pig. Your own pigs may differ slightly based on genetics, diet formulation, housing type, and season. Use these numbers as a starting point and adjust them with your own records over time. ### Nursery Phase: Weaning to 50 Pounds The nursery phase covers the period from weaning, usually at 3 to 4 weeks of age and 12 to 15 pounds, up to about 50 pounds. This is the most delicate feeding period because the pig's digestive system is still adapting from sow's milk to solid feed. Feed intake in the first week after weaning is low. A newly weaned pig may eat only 0.2 to 0.4 pounds per day for the first 2 to 3 days. By the end of the first week, intake typically climbs to 0.6 to 1.0 pound per day. Over the next 3 to 4 weeks, intake rises steadily. A reasonable planning figure for the entire nursery phase is 1.5 to 2.0 pounds of feed per pig per day on average. Over a 5 to 6 week nursery period, a pig will consume roughly 50 to 70 pounds of feed to go from 12 pounds to 50 pounds. That works out to a feed conversion of about 1.4 to 1.8 for the nursery phase, which is better than later stages because nursery diets are dense in nutrients and the pig is laying down mostly lean tissue. Nursery diets are the most expensive feeds on the farm on a per ton basis. They include highly digestible ingredients like milk products, plasma, fish meal, and specialty protein sources. For budgeting purposes, know that the first 10 to 15 pounds of feed after weaning will cost significantly more per ton than grower or finisher diets. ### Grower Phase: 50 to 150 Pounds The grower phase runs from about 50 pounds to 150 pounds. Pigs in this stage are efficient converters of feed to gain. They are still building frame and muscle, and their daily feed intake increases steadily. A 50 pound pig will eat about 3 pounds of feed per day. A 100 pound pig will eat about 4 to 4.5 pounds per day. A 150 pound pig will eat about 5.5 to 6 pounds per day. Over the entire grower phase, a reasonable planning figure is 4 to 5 pounds per pig per day on average. Feed conversion during the grower phase typically runs between 2.2 and 2.6. That means each pound of gain requires about 2.4 pounds of feed. A pig gaining 100 pounds during the grower phase will consume roughly 240 pounds of feed. Grower diets are less expensive than nursery diets but more expensive than finisher diets. They contain more grain and soybean meal and fewer specialty ingredients. ### Finisher Phase: 150 to Market Weight The finisher phase runs from about 150 pounds to market weight, which is typically 270 to 300 pounds in the United States. This is the longest feeding period and accounts for the largest volume of feed on the farm. Daily feed intake reaches its peak in the finisher phase. A 150 pound pig eats about 6 pounds per day. A 200 pound pig eats about 6.5 to 7 pounds per day. A 250 pound pig eats about 7.5 to 8 pounds per day. A 280 pound pig may eat 8 to 8.5 pounds per day. Feed conversion worsens as the pig gets heavier because a larger share of each day's gain is fat, which requires more feed energy per pound than lean tissue. Finisher feed conversion typically runs between 3.0 and 3.5. A pig going from 150 to 280 pounds, a gain of 130 pounds, at a feed conversion of 3.2 will consume about 416 pounds of feed. Finisher diets are the least expensive per ton because they use more grain and less supplemental protein. However, they represent the largest total feed volume and therefore the largest total feed cost on most farms. ### Gestating and Lactating Sows If you operate a farrow to finish operation, sow feed is a major budget line. Gestating sows are typically limit fed to control condition. A mature sow in gestation eats about 4 to 6 pounds of feed per day, depending on her body condition, stage of gestation, and housing temperature. Gilts and thin sows need more, while fat sows need less. Many producers feed 5 to 6 pounds per day through most of gestation and increase to 6 to 7 pounds in the final 2 to 3 weeks before farrowing. Lactating sows are fed to appetite and need high feed intake to support milk production. A sow nursing a large litter may eat 12 to 15 pounds per day, sometimes more in cool weather. Feed intake during lactation is critical because sows that eat too little will lose excessive body condition and have delayed return to estrus. Budget for 12 to 14 pounds per sow per day during a 21 day lactation. Boars are typically fed 5 to 6 pounds per day of a gestation or sow diet, adjusted for condition and activity. ## Step by Step How to Build a Swine Feed Budget Building a feed budget is a straightforward calculation once you gather a few key pieces of information. The steps below walk through the process for a grow finish group, which is the most common budgeting scenario. The same logic applies to nursery groups and to sow herds with minor adjustments. ### Step 1: Define the Group and Timeframe Start by writing down the basics. How many pigs are in the group? What is their current average weight? What weight do you plan to sell them at? What is the expected date of sale? For example, assume you are placing a group of 250 feeder pigs at 50 pounds. You plan to market them at 280 pounds. You expect the grow finish period to take about 18 to 20 weeks. Write these numbers down before you do anything else. Every other calculation flows from them. ### Step 2: Calculate Total Gain Needed Total gain is the difference between the target weight and the starting weight, multiplied by the number of pigs. In the example above, each pig needs to gain 230 pounds. With 250 pigs, the total gain for the group is 250 times 230, which equals 57,500 pounds of gain. This number represents the total amount of new body weight the group must produce. It is the basis for your feed estimate. ### Step 3: Estimate Feed Conversion Ratio Feed conversion ratio is the pounds of feed needed to produce one pound of gain. For a grow finish group from 50 to 280 pounds, a reasonable planning figure is 3.0 to 3.2 for a well managed operation. Use your own records if you have them. If your last three groups averaged a feed conversion of 3.1, use 3.1 in your budget. If you do not have records, start with 3.1 and adjust after you see actual results. Be honest about your facility and management. Pigs on slatted floors in a climate controlled barn will convert feed better than pigs in an open front building during a cold winter. Health status matters too. A group that struggles with respiratory disease will eat less and convert feed more poorly. ### Step 4: Calculate Total Feed Needed Multiply the total gain by the feed conversion ratio to get the total feed needed for the group. In the example, 57,500 pounds of gain times a feed conversion of 3.1 equals 178,250 pounds of feed. Divide by 2,000 to convert to tons. That is about 89 tons of feed for the entire grow finish period. This is the total feed the group will consume from placement to market. It is the core number in your feed budget. ### Step 5: Break Feed Needs into Diet Phases Pigs do not eat the same diet for the entire grow finish period. Most operations feed a series of diets that change as the pigs grow. A typical grow finish program might include a grower diet from 50 to 100 pounds, an early finisher from 100 to 180 pounds, and a late finisher from 180 to 280 pounds. To budget by phase, estimate the feed needed for each segment. One approach is to calculate the gain in each phase and multiply by the expected feed conversion for that phase. For the grower phase, the gain is 50 pounds per pig. At a feed conversion of 2.4, each pig needs 120 pounds of grower feed. For 250 pigs, that is 30,000 pounds, or 15 tons. For the early finisher, the gain is 80 pounds per pig. At a feed conversion of 2.9, each pig needs 232 pounds. For 250 pigs, that is 58,000 pounds, or 29 tons. For the late finisher, the gain is 100 pounds per pig. At a feed conversion of 3.4, each pig needs 340 pounds. For 250 pigs, that is 85,000 pounds, or 42.5 tons. Add the phases together and you get 173,000 pounds, or 86.5 tons. The slight difference from the single calculation is because you used different feed conversions for each phase. This phased approach is more accurate and tells you how much of each diet to order. ### Step 6: Add a Waste and Inventory Cushion No feed system is 100 percent efficient. Pigs spill feed from feeders. Feed dust is lost in handling. Weigh tapes and visual estimates have error. A feed budget that does not account for these losses will come up short. Add 3 to 5 percent to your total feed estimate to cover waste and shrinkage. In the example, 5 percent of 86.5 tons is about 4.3 tons. Your adjusted feed need is about 90.8 tons for the group. This cushion is not an excuse for sloppy feeding management. It is a recognition that real farms have real losses. If you find you are consistently using the cushion, look for the source of the waste. ### Step 7: Calculate Daily and Weekly Feed Needs Divide the total feed by the expected number of days in the feeding period to get an average daily feed use for the group. In the example, if the grow finish period is 130 days, the group will average about 1,340 pounds of feed per day. That is about 0.67 tons per day. Weekly feed use is about 9,380 pounds, or 4.7 tons. This number tells you how often you need to order feed and how much storage capacity you need. Keep in mind that daily feed use is not constant. Early in the grow finish period the pigs are small and eat less. Late in the period they eat more. Your average daily feed use will be lower than actual use in the last month and higher than actual use in the first month. ### Step 8: Set an Ordering Schedule Use your daily and weekly feed numbers to set a regular ordering schedule. If your feed bin holds 10 tons and you use about 4.7 tons per week, you can order every 2 weeks without risking an empty bin. If your bin holds 6 tons, order weekly. Build in a safety margin for delivery delays. A snowstorm, a truck breakdown, or a mill backlog can delay a feed delivery by several days. Keep at least 3 to 4 days of feed on hand at all times, and more during winter in cold climates. ## Feed Budgeting for the Nursery Nursery feed budgeting follows the same logic but with different numbers and a few extra considerations. Start with the number of pigs weaned and their average weaning weight. Assume they will leave the nursery at 50 pounds. Calculate the total gain needed. Then apply a nursery feed conversion of 1.5 to 1.8. For example, 500 pigs weaned at 13 pounds and moved out at 50 pounds need to gain 37 pounds each. Total gain is 18,500 pounds. At a feed conversion of 1.6, total feed needed is 29,600 pounds, or about 14.8 tons. Add 5 percent for waste and you are at about 15.5 tons. Nursery diets are typically divided into three or four phases. Phase 1 is fed for the first 7 to 10 days after weaning. Phase 2 is fed for the next 10 to 14 days. Phase 3 and possibly Phase 4 are fed until the pigs reach 50 pounds. A common budgeting rule is that a pig will eat about 5 to 7 pounds of Phase 1 feed, 10 to 15 pounds of Phase 2 feed, and 35 to 50 pounds of Phase 3 and 4 feed. Multiply these per pig numbers by your pig count to get phase totals. Because nursery diets are expensive, do not overorder. Phase 1 in particular has a limited shelf life and is costly to waste. Order Phase 1 and Phase 2 closer to need and keep larger inventories of the less expensive later phase diets. ## Feed Budgeting for the Sow Herd Sow herd feed budgeting is different because sows are not growing to market weight. Their feed needs are driven by maintenance, gestation, and lactation. To budget sow feed, start with an inventory of your sow herd by stage. Count gestating sows, lactating sows, gilts, and boars. Assign a daily feed allowance to each category. A simple example for a 100 sow farrow to finish operation might look like this: Gestating sows, 85 sows at 5.5 pounds per day equals 467.5 pounds per day. Lactating sows, 15 sows at 13 pounds per day equals 195 pounds per day. Gilts, 10 at 5 pounds per day equals 50 pounds per day. Boars, 3 at 6 pounds per day equals 18 pounds per day. The total daily sow herd feed need is about 730 pounds, or 0.37 tons per day. Multiply by 30 days for a monthly total of about 21,900 pounds, or about 11 tons per month. Add 3 to 5 percent for waste and you have a monthly sow feed budget of about 11.5 tons. Adjust this budget for seasonal changes. Sows eat more in cold weather to maintain body temperature. A sow herd in an unheated building may need 10 to 15 percent more feed in January than in July. Monitor body condition and adjust feeding rates accordingly. ## Feed Conversion and Why It Drifts Feed conversion is the single most important number in your feed budget because small changes in feed conversion produce large changes in feed cost. A group of 250 pigs marketed at 280 pounds with a feed conversion of 3.1 will eat about 178,250 pounds of feed. At a feed conversion of 3.3, the same group eats about 189,750 pounds. The difference is 11,500 pounds, or 5.75 tons of feed. At $250 per ton, that is nearly $1,440 in extra feed cost for the same pounds of pork sold. Feed conversion drifts higher for several reasons. Pigs get less efficient as they get heavier, which is why the feed conversion for a 280 pound market pig is worse than for a 230 pound market pig. Health challenges reduce intake and increase maintenance costs. Poor feeder adjustment causes feed waste. Hot weather reduces feed intake and slows gain. Cold weather increases maintenance energy needs. Poor diet formulation or ingredient variability reduces nutrient availability. Track feed conversion for every group you raise. Compare your actual feed conversion to your budgeted feed conversion. If actual is running 5 percent or more above budget, investigate the cause before the group finishes. ## Common Mistakes in Swine Feed Budgeting Several mistakes show up again and again when producers build and use feed budgets. Knowing these traps will help you avoid them. ### Mistake 1: Budgeting by Calendar Days Instead of Weight Pigs do not grow on a fixed schedule. A group placed in January in an unheated building will gain more slowly than the same group placed in May. If you budget feed based on a fixed number of days, you will be wrong. Budget based on weight gain and feed conversion instead. Estimate how many pounds of gain you need and how many pounds of feed per pound of gain. This approach automatically adjusts for growth rate differences. ### Mistake 2: Using One Feed Conversion for All Phases A single feed conversion for the entire grow finish period is a rough tool. It works for a quick estimate but misses the reality that feed conversion worsens as pigs get heavier. Use phase specific feed conversions whenever possible. Your budget will be more accurate and you will know how much of each diet to order. ### Mistake 3: Ignoring Death Loss Pigs die. If you budget feed for 250 pigs and lose 10 of them in the first month, you will have feed left over. More importantly, you will have overordered and tied up cash. Build death loss into your budget. If your historical death loss for the grow finish period is 4 percent, budget for 96 percent of the starting pig count reaching market weight. Adjust your feed estimate accordingly. ### Mistake 4: Forgetting the Waste Cushion Feed disappears beyond what the pigs actually eat. Spillage, dust, and feeder adjustment losses are real. A budget with no waste allowance will come up short. Add 3 to 5 percent for waste. If you consistently use less than the cushion, you are doing well. If you consistently use more, find the waste source. ### Mistake 5: Not Comparing Budget to Actual A feed budget is only useful if you check it against reality. Weigh feed into bins, track what is delivered, and calculate actual feed disappearance for each group. Compare actual feed use to budgeted feed use at regular intervals. If you are not tracking actual feed use, you are flying blind. You will not know if your budget is accurate until the group finishes, and by then it is too late to correct course. ### Mistake 6: Overordering Expensive Nursery Diets Nursery diets are costly and have limited shelf life. Overordering Phase 1 and Phase 2 diets wastes money and can result in feeding stale feed. Order expensive early nursery diets closer to need. Keep larger inventories of less expensive grower and finisher diets. ### Mistake 7: Ignoring Feed Storage Capacity Your feed budget may say you need 20 tons of finisher feed, but if your bins only hold 12 tons, you cannot order 20 tons at once. Match your ordering schedule to your storage capacity. If storage is tight, plan more frequent deliveries. If storage is ample, you can buy in larger quantities and potentially take advantage of volume pricing. ## Monitoring Feed Use and Adjusting the Budget A feed budget is a living document. Set a regular schedule to compare actual feed use to your budget and make adjustments. ### Weekly Checks Once a week, check your feed inventory. Record how much feed is in each bin or how many bags remain. Note any deliveries received during the week. Calculate the total feed used for the week. Compare weekly feed use to your budgeted weekly feed use. If actual use is running 10 percent above budget for two consecutive weeks, investigate. Check feeders for adjustment problems. Look for signs of disease. Verify that the correct diet is being delivered. ### Monthly Reviews Once a month, do a more complete review. Calculate the average daily gain for the group by weighing a sample of pigs. Estimate the group's current average weight. Compare actual weight to your expected weight for the number of days on feed. If the pigs are behind their expected weight, they will need more days to reach market weight. That means more total feed and a later market date. Adjust your budget and your feed orders accordingly. If the pigs are ahead of schedule, you may be able to market them earlier or at a heavier weight. Recalculate your feed needs for the revised plan. ### End of Group Reconciliation When a group goes to market, do a full reconciliation. Record the total feed delivered to the group. Record the total pounds of pork sold. Calculate the actual feed conversion by dividing total feed by total gain. Compare actual feed conversion to your budgeted feed conversion. The difference tells you how accurate your budgeting process is. Over several groups, you will develop reliable planning numbers for your specific operation. ## Decision Thresholds and When to Act Feed budgeting gives you numbers that should trigger management decisions. Here are key thresholds to watch. ### Feed Conversion More Than 5 Percent Above Budget If your actual feed conversion is running more than 5 percent above your budgeted figure, investigate immediately. Check feeder adjustment, water availability, stocking density, and pig health. A feed conversion problem that is caught early is often fixable. One that runs for weeks is expensive. ### Average Daily Feed Intake Dropping Pigs that suddenly eat less are telling you something is wrong. Check water lines and drinkers first. Check barn temperature and ventilation. Look for signs of respiratory or enteric disease. Call your veterinarian if intake does not recover within 24 to 48 hours. ### Feed Inventory Below 5 Days of Supply When your on hand feed drops below 5 days of supply, place an order immediately. Do not wait for the bin to be nearly empty. Delivery delays happen, and running out of feed for even one day will set back pig growth and create aggressive feeding behavior when feed returns. ### Pigs Behind Expected Weight at a Key Checkpoint If a sample weigh at 100 days on feed shows the group averaging 20 pounds or more behind target, recalculate your market date and feed needs. You may need to adjust diets to a lower cost formulation if the pigs will be on feed longer than planned. You may also need to revisit your marketing plan if the delay pushes pigs into a seasonally weak market. ### Feed Cost per Pound of Gain Rising Track feed cost per pound of gain, not just feed conversion. If ingredient prices rise, feed cost per pound of gain rises even with good feed conversion. This number helps you decide whether to sell at a lighter weight or hold for a better market. If feed cost per pound of gain is high and market price is flat, selling earlier may preserve margin. ## Recordkeeping for Better Feed Budgeting Good records are the foundation of accurate feed budgeting. You do not need a complex system. A simple spreadsheet or even a paper notebook works if you are consistent. ### Records to Keep for Each Group For each group of pigs, record the following: The date pigs were placed and the number of pigs. The average starting weight. The source of the pigs if purchased. The diet sequence and the dates of diet changes. The total feed delivered by diet type. The date and number of pigs marketed. The average market weight. The total pounds of pork sold. Death loss and culls. From these records you can calculate feed conversion, average daily gain, feed cost per pig, and feed cost per pound of gain. Over time, you will build a history that makes your budgets more accurate. ### Weighing Pigs You cannot manage what you do not measure. Weigh a sample of pigs at regular intervals. A sample of 10 to 15 percent of the group is adequate for a planning estimate. Weigh pigs at placement, at diet changes, and at least once mid way through the grow finish period. Use a reliable scale. Weigh tapes are convenient but less accurate. Calibrate your scale regularly and weigh pigs at the same time of day for consistency. ### Tracking Feed Deliveries Keep a log of every feed delivery. Record the date, the diet type, the quantity, and the cost. This log is your source of truth for actual feed use. If you mix feed on farm, track ingredient inventories and the amounts used in each batch. Record the number of batches produced and the total pounds of each diet mixed. ### Using Records to Improve Budgets After you have records for several groups, review them for patterns. What is your average feed conversion by season? By barn? By pig source? Use these patterns to set more accurate planning numbers for future budgets. If your summer groups consistently convert feed 5 percent better than winter groups, build that seasonal difference into your budgets. If pigs from one source consistently eat less in the first 2 weeks, plan for a slower start with those pigs. ## When to Call a Veterinarian or Extension Agent Feed budgeting is a management tool, not a diagnostic tool. When your numbers tell you something is wrong, you may need professional help to identify the cause. Call your veterinarian if you see a sudden drop in feed intake across a group, especially if it is accompanied by coughing, lethargy, or diarrhea. A group that goes off feed for more than 24 hours may be dealing with a disease challenge that requires diagnosis and treatment. Call your veterinarian if feed conversion deteriorates sharply without an obvious management explanation. Poor feed conversion can be a sign of chronic disease, gut health problems, or an ingredient issue in the feed. Call your veterinarian if you suspect a feed quality problem. Moldy grain, rancid fat, or a mixing error can cause pigs to refuse feed or perform poorly. Your veterinarian can help you rule out health causes and may recommend submitting a feed sample for analysis. Call your local cooperative extension agent if you need help with ration formulation, ingredient selection, or interpreting feed analysis reports. Extension agents can also help you compare your operation's performance to regional averages and identify areas for improvement. Call your veterinarian immediately if pigs show signs of a reportable disease. The USDA APHIS Swine Health website lists reportable diseases and provides guidance on reporting requirements. Early reporting protects your herd and your neighbors' herds. ## Seasonal Adjustments to Your Feed Budget Feed needs change with the seasons, and your budget should reflect that. ### Winter Cold weather increases maintenance energy needs. Pigs in unheated or poorly insulated buildings will eat more feed to stay warm. Budget 5 to 10 percent more feed for grow finish pigs in winter months compared to mild weather. Sows in gestation also eat more in cold weather. Adjust sow feed allowances based on body condition and building temperature. In severely cold weather, you may need to increase sow feed by 10 to 15 percent. ### Summer Hot weather reduces feed intake. Pigs eat less when they are heat stressed, which slows growth and can worsen feed conversion if the feeding period extends. Budget for slower gain in summer and plan for a longer feeding period. Provide adequate water and consider management strategies to encourage intake during cool parts of the day. If you have evaporative cooling or drip coolers, use them to keep pigs eating. ### Spring and Fall Transition seasons bring variable weather. Watch forecasts and adjust ventilation and feeding programs accordingly. Pigs that are comfortable eat more efficiently than pigs that are too hot or too cold. ## Feed Budgeting for Different Production Systems The basic budgeting process is the same for all systems, but the numbers differ. ### Farrow to Finish A farrow to finish operation budgets feed for sows, boars, nursery pigs, and grow finish pigs. The sow herd feed budget is relatively constant, while the grow finish feed budget varies with the number of pigs in the pipeline. Total farm feed needs are the sum of all groups. Track the number of pigs in each stage to forecast total feed needs for the coming weeks and months. ### Feeder Pig Finishing A feeder pig operation buys pigs at 40 to 60 pounds and feeds them to market weight. The feed budget is straightforward because there is no sow herd and no nursery. The main budgeting variables are the number of pigs placed, their starting weight, the target market weight, and the expected feed conversion. Because you are buying the pigs, feed cost per pig and total cost per pig are critical numbers. ### Wean to Finish A wean to finish operation takes pigs from weaning to market weight in the same facility. The feed budget covers the entire feeding period from 12 to 15 pounds up to market weight. Total feed per pig for a wean to finish system is roughly 600 to 700 pounds, depending on market weight and feed conversion. A pig going from 13 pounds to 285 pounds at an overall feed conversion of 2.9 will eat about 789 pounds of feed. This includes nursery and grow finish phases. ### Contract Growing If you grow pigs under contract, your feed budgeting may be limited to monitoring and reporting. The contract owner typically supplies feed and sets the feeding program. Your job is to track feed deliveries, monitor feed use, and report any discrepancies. Even under contract, keep your own records of feed deliveries and feed use. These records protect you if there is a dispute and help you manage the barn efficiently. ## Using Feed Budgets to Manage Cash Flow Feed is a major cash expense, and a feed budget helps you plan for it. Once you know your weekly feed needs and your feed cost per ton, you can calculate weekly feed cost. Multiply weekly feed use by the cost per ton to get a weekly feed expense figure. This number helps you plan cash flow and arrange financing if needed. For example, if your grow finish group uses 4.7 tons per week and feed costs $250 per ton, weekly feed cost is about $1,175. Over a 20 week feeding period, total feed cost for the group is about $23,500. Divide by 250 pigs and you have a feed cost per pig of about $94. Knowing feed cost per pig helps you evaluate buying decisions, marketing decisions, and financing needs. It also helps you compare your operation's efficiency to industry benchmarks. ## The Link Between Feed Budgeting and Marketing Your feed budget directly affects your marketing decisions. If feed prices are high, you may want to market pigs at a lighter weight to reduce total feed cost per pig. A 250 pound pig eats less total feed than a 280 pound pig, and the last 30 pounds of gain are the most expensive per pound. Use your feed budget to calculate the cost of adding weight. If your feed conversion in the late finisher is 3.5 and feed costs $250 per ton, each pound of gain costs about 44 cents in feed alone. If the market pays you only 40 cents per pound for that additional weight, you lose money by feeding to the heavier weight. Conversely, if feed prices are low and market prices are strong, feeding to a heavier weight may be profitable. Your feed budget tells you exactly what the additional feed will cost. ## Building a Simple Feed Budget Spreadsheet You do not need specialized software to build a feed budget. A simple spreadsheet works well. Create columns for the following items: Group identification and placement date. Number of pigs placed. Average starting weight. Target market weight. Expected feed conversion. Total gain per pig. Total gain for the group. Total feed needed. Waste allowance. Adjusted total feed. Expected days on feed. Average daily feed use. Feed cost per ton. Total feed cost. Feed cost per pig. Add rows for each diet phase within the group. Enter your numbers and the spreadsheet calculates the totals. Update the spreadsheet weekly with actual feed deliveries and periodic sample weights. Compare actual to budget and adjust as needed. ## Advanced Considerations in Feed Budgeting ### Diet Formulation Changes If you change diet formulations, feed conversion and feed cost will change. A higher energy diet may improve feed conversion but cost more per ton. A lower cost diet may increase feed conversion and extend the feeding period. Work with your nutritionist to evaluate the trade off between diet cost and feed conversion. Your feed budget is the tool to calculate which approach is more profitable. ### Ingredient Price Volatility Grain and protein prices fluctuate. A feed budget based on current prices may be outdated in a month. Review ingredient prices regularly and update your feed cost estimates. Consider forward contracting part of your grain and supplement needs if prices are favorable. A feed budget helps you know how much to contract. ### Facility Limitations Your facilities limit your feed budget. If you have limited bin storage, you cannot take advantage of bulk pricing on large deliveries. If your feeders are poorly adjusted, you will waste feed no matter how accurate your budget is. Fix facility problems that cause feed waste. Properly adjusted feeders can save 5 to 10 percent of feed compared to poorly adjusted feeders. That savings goes straight to your bottom line. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How much feed does a pig eat from weaning to market? A pig weaned at 12 to 15 pounds and marketed at 280 pounds will eat roughly 650 to 750 pounds of feed, depending on feed conversion and market weight. At a feed conversion of 2.9, a pig gaining 267 pounds will eat about 774 pounds of feed. At a feed conversion of 3.2, the same gain requires about 854 pounds of feed. The range is wide because feed conversion varies with genetics, health, diet quality, and management. ### What is a good feed conversion ratio for grow finish pigs? A good feed conversion for the grow finish period from 50 to 280 pounds is 2.9 to 3.1 for a well managed operation with modern genetics and good health. Top operations may achieve 2.7 to 2.8, while operations with health challenges or older facilities may run 3.3 to 3.5. Track your own groups to establish a baseline for your farm. ### How do I calculate feed needed for my pig herd? Multiply the total pounds of gain you expect by your expected feed conversion. For example, if you have 200 pigs that need to gain 230 pounds each, total gain is 46,000 pounds. At a feed conversion of 3.1, total feed needed is 142,600 pounds, or about 71.3 tons. Add 3 to 5 percent for waste and you have your feed budget. ### How often should I order feed for my pigs? Order feed based on your storage capacity and weekly feed use. If your bin holds 10 tons and you use 5 tons per week, order every 2 weeks. Keep at least 3 to 4 days of feed on hand at all times. In winter or when deliveries may be delayed, keep more on hand. ### Why is my feed conversion worse in winter? Cold weather increases the energy pigs need for maintenance. They use feed energy to stay warm instead of to gain weight. In unheated or poorly insulated buildings, feed conversion can worsen by 5 to 10 percent in winter. Improve insulation, provide bedding or heat sources, and adjust diets to account for the higher energy demand. ### What should I do if my pigs are eating less than expected? Check water supply and drinker flow first. Check barn temperature and ventilation. Inspect feeders for blockages or poor adjustment. Look for signs of illness. If intake does not recover within 24 to 48 hours, call your veterinarian. ### How much feed does a sow eat per day? A gestating sow eats about 4 to 6 pounds per day, adjusted for body condition and weather. A lactating sow eats 12 to 15 pounds per day, sometimes more in cool weather. Boars eat about 5 to 6 pounds per day. These figures vary with sow size, litter size, and environmental temperature. ### Can I use a feed budget to decide when to sell pigs? Yes. Calculate the feed cost per pound of gain for the late finisher phase. If the cost of adding one more pound is higher than the market price per pound, it is not profitable to feed to a heavier weight. Your feed budget gives you the numbers to make this decision. ## Related Farming Guides - [Swine Feed Budgeting: Estimating Feed Costs per Pig](/knowledge/animal-farming/farm-management/swine-feed-budgeting-estimating-feed-costs-per-pig) This section will be populated with links to related farming guides on swine production, feed management, and pork marketing as they are published. ## Related Clinical & Scientific Guides * [Pig Enrichment Programs and Behavior Monitoring](/knowledge/animal-farming/swine/pig-enrichment-programs-and-behavior-monitoring) * [Swine Handling Facility Design for Safe Pig Movement](/knowledge/animal-farming/swine/swine-handling-facility-design-safe-pig-movement) * [Swine Feeding Management for Grow-Finish Pigs](/knowledge/animal-farming/swine/swine-feeding-management-for-grow-finish-pigs) ## References - National Pork Board: https://www.pork.org/ - USDA APHIS Swine Health: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/swine - FAO Pig Production: https://www.fao.org/pig-production-and-products/en/ - FAO Animal Production and Health: https://www.fao.org/animal-production/en/ - WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health): https://www.woah.org/en/home/ > This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis, treatment, public-health guidance, or regulatory reporting.