Swine Procurement Hub

Swine feed procurement: amino-acid precision from creep to finisher

Modern pig producers manage feed cost by phase, moving through 6-8 dietary steps from weaning to slaughter. Digestible lysine, energy density and mineral supply must match rapid growth without producing wasted nitrogen. FeedMatch runs supplier-neutral RFQs across the ingredient basket that swine nutritionists actually use — including specialty piglet ingredients like plasma, whey and hydrolysates.

Browse ingredient directory

Economic benchmarks

Weaning-to-finish FCR

2.4 – 2.7

Feed cost share

60 – 70%

of live-weight cost

Days to market (110 kg)

155 – 175

Digestible lysine finisher

0.72 – 0.78%

Primary markets

≈ 120 M tonnes pork / yr (FAO). Top producers: China, EU-27, USA, Brazil

ChinaEU-27 (Spain, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands)USABrazilRussiaVietnamMexico

Procurement challenges we solve

Piglet ingredient sourcing — spray-dried plasma, hydrolysates, milk products
ZnO / copper regulatory phase-out in EU — replacement additives needed
Managing DON and ZEA mycotoxins in cereals / DDGS
Amino-acid balance under ractopamine-free / EU export programs
African Swine Fever biosecurity in feed and ingredients

Recommended ingredient basket

Corn / maize

Primary energy — 55-70% inclusion

Soybean meal 46/48%

Main protein — 15-25% depending on phase

DDGS

Cost-effective in grower / finisher — up to 30%

Wheat

EU energy staple — improves pellet quality

Barley

Fibre + energy for gestating sows and finisher pigs

Sunflower meal

Sow / finisher protein — 5-10% inclusion

Feed program by stage

Reference stages nutritionists use when specifying rations. FeedMatch quotes ingredients for every phase.

Stage	Duration	Nutrient target	Focus	Key ingredients
Creep / pre-starter	10 – 21 days	22 – 24% CP	Highly digestible AA, gut development, palatability	Milk products, Spray-dried plasma, Fish meal, Soy protein concentrate
Starter	7 – 15 kg	20 – 22% CP	Transition off milk, control post-weaning diarrhoea	Corn, SBM, Whey, Fish meal, Organic acids
Grower	25 – 60 kg	17 – 18% CP	Muscle deposition, phosphorus efficiency	Corn, SBM, DDGS ≤ 20%, Wheat, Phytase
Finisher	60 – 110 kg	14 – 15% CP	Feed cost minimisation, lean-meat yield	Corn, SBM, DDGS ≤ 30%, Barley, Fat
Gestating / lactating sow	Reproductive cycle	13 – 17% CP	Body condition, litter size, milk production	Corn, Barley, SBM, Beet pulp / fibre sources

Quality & certifications

Every offer normalised on feed-safety standards

GMP+ B2 / QS Feed

FEMAS

IFFO RS (for fish meal)

ASF / PEDV biosecurity attestations

Frequently asked questions

What are the key ingredients for piglet feed?›

Piglet pre-starters combine highly digestible proteins — spray-dried porcine plasma (2-5%), whey protein / lactose (10-25%), fish meal LT (2-5%) and soy protein concentrate — with organic acids and probiotics to support gut health post-weaning.

How can I replace ZnO in EU piglet diets?›

The 2022 EU ZnO ban forces replacement strategies combining organic acids (formic, benzoic), plant extracts, MOS/beta-glucans, high-quality protein sources with low buffering capacity, and probiotic strains. FeedMatch sources compliant additive packs from FAMI-QS manufacturers.

Is DDGS suitable for finisher pigs?›

Yes — DDGS can go up to 30% in finisher rations without harming ADG, though carcass fat quality may soften above 20% due to unsaturated fat content. Buyers often cap DDGS 14 days pre-slaughter or select low-oil DDGS grades.