TY - JOUR AU - Pierozan, C. R. AU - Agostini, P. S. AU - Gasa, J. AU - Novais, A. K. AU - Dias, C. P. AU - Santos, R. S. K. AU - Pereira Jr, M. AU - Nagi, J. G. AU - Alves, J. B. AU - Silva, C. A. PY - 2016 DA - 2016/03/01 TI - Factors affecting the daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio of pigs in grow-finishing units: the case of a company JO - Porcine Health Management SP - 7 VL - 2 IS - 1 AB - The aim of this study was to use mathematical modeling to identify and quantify the main factors that affect daily feed intake (DFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in grow-finishing (GF) pig units. We evaluated the production records of 93 GF farms between 2010 and 2013, linked to a company, working in a cooperative system, located in western ParanĂ¡ State, Brazil. A total of 683 batches, consisting of approximately 495,000 animals, were used. Forty production factors related to the management, health, plant and equipment, nutrition, genetics and environment were considered. The number of pigs per pen, type of feeder, origin and sex (the last two variables were combined in the models) of the animals and initial and final body weights were included in the final models to predict DFI and FCR (dependent variables). Additionally, the duration of the GF phase was included for the parameter FCR. All factors included in the final models had significant effects for both dependent variables. SN - 2055-5660 UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s40813-016-0023-4 DO - 10.1186/s40813-016-0023-4 ID - Pierozan2016 ER -