In pig production, feed costs account for the majority of production costs, making improving feed efficiency a critical issue. In Japan, where a large proportion of feed is imported, efficient feed use is essential for sustainable and competitive pig production.
The Pig Nutrition Group aims to develop feeding regimens using a chrononutrition approach to improve feed efficiency in growing-finishing pigs. In addition to the traditional focus on "what and how much to feed," we emphasize "when to feed." We investigate how feeding timing and time-of-day-specific feeding levels affect growth performance, metabolism, and physiological function. Through this work, we aim to establish feeding regimens that enable efficient growth with reduced feed input.
We also update nutrient requirements, including amino acids, to match the improved performance of modern pig breeds, while contributing to the revision of the Japanese Feeding Standard for Swine.
