Why Do Over 90% of Pig Farms in South Korea Adopt Liquid Feed?

Liquid feeding is actually the traditional feeding method for pigs. However, manual feed mixing and bucket delivery demanded massive labor. As pig farming scaled up and automated equipment became popular, dry feed gradually took its place.

In recent years, traditional dry feed costs have kept rising. By contrast, raw materials for liquid feed are mostly low-cost by-products with abundant supplies. Meanwhile, liquid feeding equipment has grown increasingly sophisticated in automation. These factors have driven the resurgence of liquid feed overseas.

Currently, 70% of pig farms in France use liquid feed, along with 60% of large-scale pig farms in the Netherlands. In South Korea, the adoption rate of liquid feeding systems among pig farms exceeds 90%. In China, liquid feeding has also become an emerging trend in the pig industry.

It is widely acknowledged that liquid feed can significantly reduce the feed-to-gain ratio and cut feed costs — these are the core selling points of liquid feeding equipment, and the investment can be recouped in less than two years. Beyond these advantages, liquid feed boasts many other merits, which are detailed below:

1. Higher Feed Digestibility

After sufficient soaking, soluble nutrients in the feed dissolve in water. Feed particles absorb water and expand, creating a larger surface area and turning soft. This makes the feed easier for pigs to eat, digest and absorb, and improves the feed conversion rate. Relevant studies show that thanks to well-blended nutrients and superior palatability, the digestive and utilization rate of liquid feed for finishing pigs can increase by 9.19% to 12.08%.

A good appetite lays a solid foundation for piglets’ sound health!

2. Improved Intestinal Health & Reduced Salmonella

Fermentation has long been a safe technique applied to produce various human foods and beverages such as wine and sauces for centuries. When feed is mixed with water, naturally occurring bacteria and yeast in the feed and surroundings initiate fermentation. They break down starch and sugars in the feed into organic acids (including lactic acid and acetic acid) and alcohols.

A key benefit of fermentation is the lowered feed pH value, which further boosts digestibility and biological safety. When the pH value drops below 4, Salmonella and Escherichia coli naturally present in the feed will be killed within 12 hours.

It works wonders with chemical reactions!

3. Wider Application of Food Industry By-Products

Liquid feed can be simply made by mixing conventional dry feed with water. One major strength of liquid feeding systems is that they support a far broader range of raw materials. A variety of by-products from the food industry are applicable, among which whey is the most widely used. Other common options include by-products from potato, chocolate, yogurt and brewery processing. In this way, liquid feeding systems can supply pigs with daily essential energy and nutrients at a much lower cost.

The feed menu for pigs has become remarkably diverse!

Immature grains are another category of eligible raw materials for liquid feed. High-moisture corn, widely used in Western countries, is a typical example. Such crops have a moisture content of 30% to 40% upon harvest. They are stored under anaerobic conditions and fermented before being processed into liquid feed.

4. Lower Incidence of Respiratory Diseases

Liquid feed produces far less airborne dust. It inhibits the spread of pathogens via dust particles and effectively reduces the incidence of respiratory diseases in pigs.

Bid farewell to dusty and polluted air!

To sum up, liquid feed keeps pigs healthier and lowers disease risks from the perspective of livestock health. From a cost perspective, it diversifies feed sources and cuts overall feed expenses. Overall, it helps pig farms save costs and raise profits from multiple aspects.

It is predictable that liquid feeding will definitely become a mainstream trend in future pig farming.