Should you start producing your own pig feed?

More and more pig producers choose to produce their own feed

In today’s pig production, feed represents one of the largest cost items, and many pig producers are seeking ways to optimize both their economy, animal welfare, and operational efficiency. One of the key decisions is whether to purchase ready-mixed feed - or to take production back in-house.

This article explains why more pig producers are choosing to produce their own feed, the challenges this approach addresses, and why a SKIOLD feed mill is one of the most reliable and economically advantageous solutions on the market.

The Challenges for Modern Pig Producers

Rising Costs and Limited Control

Buying ready-mixed feed is convenient, but it is rarely the most economical solution. Prices of commercial feed are increasing, and pig producers have limited influence over:

• The quality of raw materials
• The freshness of the feed
• Nutritional composition
• Flexibility for different production stages

As a result, producers often pay extra for a mix that is not optimally adapted to their pigs or their available raw materials.

Underutilization of Own Grain

Many pig producers have significant quantities of grain that could be used directly in the feed ration. Purchasing ready-mixed feed means losing part of the value of one’s own harvest.

Freshness and Nutritional Value

Transport, storage, and time in the supply chain mean that commercial feed can be several weeks old before reaching the barn. This affects taste, structure, and nutritional value - and consequently, pig welfare and performance.

Take Control with Your Own SKIOLD Feed Mill

Full Control Over Ingredients and Formulation

With a SKIOLD feed mill, you can produce feed tailored exactly to the needs of your pigs. The system provides full control over:

• Which raw materials are used
• Grinding size and structure
• Recipes and nutritional composition
• Freshness and production timing

This allows feed to be adapted precisely to the pigs’ age, requirements, health, production goals, and raw material availability.

High Reliability and Low Energy Consumption

SKIOLD feed mills are known for high capacity, low energy consumption, and exceptional reliability. Whether producing a few tonnes per day or operating a larger on-farm feed factory, the solution can be tailored to your production.

Reduced Labour and Risk of Errors

Automation of weighing, dosing, mixing, and recipes reduces both time requirements and the risk of human errors. SKIOLD solutions are intuitive, robust, and easy to operate - even for staff without technical training.

Customer story: Premium Porc Group

One of Romania’s largest pig producers, Premium Porc Group - with 17,500 sows and an annual production of 600,000 slaughter pigs - invested in a complete SKIOLD feed factory to produce their own feed.

• Delivery and start-up: The SKIOLD feed factory was delivered in 2018 and became operational in spring 2019.
• Production coverage: The factory produces feed for three of Premium Porc Group’s production sites.
• Management statement: According to Premium Porc Group’s management, producing feed in-house gives them full control over feed production.
• Investment rationale: Management states that investing in their own feed production is profitable, based on their internal assessment of feed quality and production control.
• Flexibility: On-farm feed production allows adjustments to recipes and raw materials internally, providing the ability to respond to changing conditions without relying solely on external suppliers.
• Supplier selection criteria: When choosing a supplier, Premium Porc Group highlights the importance of initial investment, service level (on-site and remote), and proactive support during start-up and operation. These considerations contributed to selecting SKIOLD as their supplier.

As the CEO of Premium Porc Group states, producing feed in-house provides the greatest control, flexibility, and opportunity to optimize both quality and costs.

This case demonstrates that investing in on-farm feed production can be a calculated decision with realistic expectations for profitability, quality, and operational control.

👉 Read the full story here: Feed factory for pigs - Romania - Skiold

The Tangible Benefits of Producing Your Own Feed

Better Utilisation of Own Raw Materials

Producing feed on-farm allows you to use your own grain and other raw materials directly in the ration. This maximises the value of your harvest and reduces reliance on purchased feed.

Full Control Over Quality and Composition

On-farm feed production allows you to determine:

• Which raw materials are included
• Grinding size and structure
• Nutritional content and recipes
• Production timing, ensuring maximum freshness

This means feed can be adapted more precisely to the pigs’ current requirements and production stage than commercially purchased feed.

Greater Production Flexibility

Producing feed on-farm allows recipes and ingredient choices to be adjusted continuously, without being bound to a supplier’s fixed mixes. This makes it possible to respond quickly to changes in raw material prices, availability, or production goals.

Clear Economic Visibility

On-farm feed production allows you to calculate total feed costs based on your own raw materials, energy usage, and operations - providing a clear basis for evaluating payback and profitability.

A Stable and Future-Proof Solution

A SKIOLD feed mill provides pig producers with:

• High reliability
• Low energy consumption
• Automated and user-friendly processes
• Scalability for future expansion

This ensures robust feed production with consistent quality day-to-day.

Contact Us

Would you like to learn more about producing your own pig feed with a SKIOLD feed mill?
📞 Contact our specialists today - they can provide advice, calculations, and customized solutions: SKIOLD Contact

Learn more about our feed production solutions:

👉  Complete Feed Mills | Feed Production | SKIOLD 

Follow us and get inspired on our social media channels:

😊  Facebook     LinkedIn