Pigs Weaned per Sow per Year Calculator
Calculate pigs weaned per sow per year from litters per year, born alive, and pre-weaning survival rate. Key swine herd productivity metric.
Swine Feed Conversion Calculator
Calculate swine feed conversion ratio (FCR) for nursery, grower, and finisher pigs. Track feed efficiency and cost per pound of gain for hog production.
Total Weight Gain⧉
130 lbs
Per pig from start to end
Feed Conversion Ratio⧉
2.80
lbs feed per lb gain
Daily Gain⧉
1.781 lbs
Average daily gain
Feed Cost per Pig⧉
$94.64
Total feed cost per animal
Feed Cost per Lb Gain⧉
$0.73
Cost efficiency metric
Revenue per Pig⧉
$268.80
At market price
Profit per Pig⧉
$174.16
After feed cost
Total Profit⧉
$174,160.00
All 1000 pigs
Target FCR by Production Phase
| Phase | Weight Range | FCR Target | Daily Gain Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursery | 12-50 lbs | 1.35 | 0.78 lbs |
| Grower | 50-150 lbs | 1.65 | 1.25 lbs |
| Finisher | 150-280 lbs | 2.8 | 1.75 lbs |
Planning notes, formulas, and examples
About the Swine Feed Conversion Calculator
The Swine Feed Conversion Calculator determines the feed conversion ratio (FCR) — pounds of feed consumed per pound of body weight gained — for nursery, grower, and finisher pigs. FCR is the most critical efficiency metric in swine production, directly affecting feed cost per pound of pork produced.
Swine FCR varies dramatically by production phase. Nursery pigs (12-50 lbs) convert at 1.3-1.6:1 due to rapid lean muscle growth. Grower pigs (50-150 lbs) convert at 2.0-2.5:1. Finisher pigs (150-280 lbs) convert at 2.8-3.2:1 as fat deposition increases. Overall wean-to-finish FCR for modern genetics is typically 2.5-2.8:1.
Tracking FCR by phase helps identify where feed is being used efficiently and where improvements are possible. Feed represents 65-70% of total pork production cost, so even small improvements in FCR translate to significant economic savings across a large operation. Use this page to compare phase performance and see where feed efficiency is drifting off target.
When This Page Helps
Feed is the largest cost in pork production. This page helps show whether the loss is happening in nursery, grow-finish, or across the whole flow instead of treating feed cost as one undifferentiated number.
How to Use the Inputs
- Enter total feed consumed during the period in pounds.
- Enter starting weight and ending weight per pig.
- Or enter total gain directly.
- Review the FCR for the period.
- Compare against phase-specific benchmarks.
Formula used
FCR = Total feed consumed (lbs) / Total weight gained (lbs)
Total gain = End weight − Start weight
Benchmark FCR by phase:
- Nursery (12–50 lbs): 1.3–1.6
- Grower (50–150 lbs): 2.0–2.5
- Finisher (150–280 lbs): 2.8–3.2
- Wean to finish: 2.5–2.8Example Calculation
Result: FCR = 2.96
Total gain = 280 − 50 = 230 lbs. FCR = 680 / 230 = 2.96:1. This is average grow-finish performance. At $0.12/lb feed cost, feed cost per pound of gain = 2.96 × $0.12 = $0.355/lb.
Tips & Best Practices
- Track FCR by phase (nursery, grower, finisher) for more actionable data than overall FCR.
- Pelleted feed typically improves FCR by 5-8% compared to meal — worth the processing cost.
- Disease (PRRS, PED, mycoplasma) significantly worsens FCR — invest in health programs.
- Feed waste from poorly adjusted feeders can account for 5-15% of feed delivered — check regularly.
- Genetics strongly influence FCR — select terminal sires with good feed efficiency EPDs.
- Split-sex feeding allows tailored nutrition for barrows and gilts, improving overall FCR.
Phase Feeding for Optimal FCR
Swine nutritionists formulate different diets for each growth phase because nutrient requirements change as pigs grow. Young pigs need high-protein, energy-dense diets. Finishing pigs need less protein relative to energy. Using the right diet at the right time minimizes feed cost per pound of gain.
Genetic Improvement in FCR
Genetic selection has improved swine FCR by approximately 0.02 points per year over the past two decades. Modern lean genotypes convert feed significantly more efficiently than older genetics. Choosing genetics with strong feed efficiency data pays for itself in reduced feed cost.
Environmental Factors
Temperature dramatically affects swine FCR. Below the thermoneutral zone (60-75°F for finishing pigs), pigs eat more to generate body heat, worsening FCR. Above it, feed intake drops and growth slows. Maintaining proper ventilation and temperature control is essential for optimal FCR.
Sources & Methodology
Last updated:
Frequently Asked Questions
Top-performing operations achieve 2.5-2.6:1 wean-to-finish FCR with modern genetics. Average performance is 2.7-2.9:1. FCR above 3.0:1 indicates significant room for improvement in genetics, nutrition, health, or management.
Heavier pigs have higher maintenance requirements relative to gain, and fat deposition (which requires more energy per pound than lean tissue) increases as pigs approach market weight. Both factors increase FCR in the finisher phase.
Pelleting improves FCR by 5-8% by reducing feed waste and improving nutrient digestibility. The expense of pelleting is almost always justified economically. Fine grinding also improves FCR but can increase the risk of gastric ulcers.
Disease diverts nutrients from growth to immune response and tissue repair. PRRS alone can worsen FCR by 0.2-0.5 points. Maintaining high health status through biosecurity, vaccination, and disease elimination is one of the most effective ways to improve FCR.
Feed cost of gain = FCR × feed price per pound. At FCR 2.8:1 and $0.12/lb feed, cost of gain = $0.336/lb. This is the feed-only cost to add one pound of body weight.
Yes. Dead pigs consumed feed but produced no marketable weight. Include all feed delivered to the barn and divide by total live weight sold. This gives a more accurate economic FCR that reflects mortality impact.
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