Starter Feeds

[MBMLVSTK]

I'm looking into the possibility of changing starter feeds in my program this year. In the past I have used burst from Moormans and have been extremely pleased with the results, however the price has gone up $5 a bag over the last 2 years. I did a test with 50MG from Showrite and was not impressed. I also have access to Purina and Sunglo easily. What are some of your experiences with these feeds and which do you prefer? Thanks!

[Rway]

I have been using a creep feed by Purina under the Ultracare label. It is basically a highly ground corn mixture with milk by-products added. The pigs really like it while in with nursing sows. I have kept them on it after weaning. Runs about 25 dollars a bag. Not a pellet like so many other levels of the Ultracare product. Will switch to a pig grower soon.

[kgb]

The Ultracate Creep Feed is designed and formulated as a Creep only (in the crates from about 10 days old to weaning). It gets pigs to eat, but a true pig starter is recommended after weaning.

[MBMLVSTK]

If I do switch to Purina I will likely be using the 309 then transition on to the ground ration I make using the show base. The 309 will be about $4.25 cheaper per bag than the Burst. I have never had experience with Purina starter feeds and I don't know anyone who has. I love the Burst it's just getting way to spend. I noticed the purina is a bit lower protien and higher fat which may not be a bad thing in my genetics. Lysine levels are the same.

[kgb]

If you are weaning at more than 24 days, 309 will work fine. If you are weaning closer to 3 weeks old then the pigs would really benefit from 209. (1 bag per litter of 209).

[MBMLVSTK]

I typically wean at 28 days unless I'm really needing the crate for another litter

[LzDy]

MBMLVSTCK

What didn't you like about the showrite? Just curious as we are going to try to use it this year. We were planning on getting the kickstart and start that at 10 days then go to the 50mg for 2 weeks then the Meca. TIA

[MBMLVSTK]

I did a test trial for Showrite because they were trying to cinvince me to switch over to the 50mg from burst. I tok 4 litters of pigs born within 3 days and split them even down the middle. 1/2 of each litter on each feed. I fed in side by side pens and weighed each pig going in and coming out. Over the trial period we saw comparable gain with the burst fed pigs only averaging .7 lbs per head more gain on a 3 week trial. Feed consumption was also similar with the 50 mg pigs consuming 1.2 lbs per head less than the Burst group. Where we saw the major change was the amount of bloom and "fluff" gained by the burst over 50mg. Burst pigs kept their shape all the way through sale day and also out sold the pigs started on 50 mg. I didn't keep track of show results to compare there. Statistically the both worked well but visually burst was far superior.