Which Feed Is More Suitable for Pig Farms: Premix, Concentrate or Complete Feed?

I. Concentrate Feed = Premix + Protein Feed (Energy feed to be added separately)

Advantages

1. Feed cost can be reduced when soybean meal price surges.
2. No need to stock soybean meal separately, cutting workload for raw material preparation.

Disadvantages

1. Unit feed cost is RMB 0.1–0.2 per 500g higher than premix formulation.
2. Crude protein level tends to be insufficient due to inadequate supplementary soybean meal; mostly applicable to indigenous crossbred pigs.

II. Complete Feed = Premix + Protein Feed + Energy Feed (processed via crushing, blending and pelleting)

Advantages

1. Convenient for direct feeding.
2. Low moisture content for easy long-term storage.
3. Less feed wastage compared with mash feed.

Disadvantages

1. Highest feed cost, RMB 0.2–0.4 per 500g more expensive than self-formulated feed with premix.
2. Uncontrollable raw material composition as internal ingredients cannot be visually inspected.
3. Pelleting at 70–90°C destroys roughly 50% of vitamins, around 80% of acidifiers and enzyme activity, and up to 90% of xylanase activity.

III. Premix = Vitamins + Mineral Trace Elements + Carrier (Energy feed and protein feed to be supplemented on-farm)

Advantages

1. Low formulation cost for end feed.
2. Full control over raw material quality with fresh corn and soybean meal available for onsite mixing.
3. Flexible addition of health-care or therapeutic feed additives and medications.

Disadvantages

1. Higher manual labor input increases labor expense.
2. Extra capital tied up in raw material inventory lowers capital turnover efficiency.

Composition & Characteristics of Premixes with Different Inclusion Ratios

Common commercial specifications include 1%, 3%, 4% and 5% premix; generally, premixes with lower inclusion rates deliver better cost-performance.

0.1–0.5% Core Premix

• Ingredients: Vitamins, trace minerals, antioxidants, mold inhibitors, etc.
• Features: Improve feed conversion ratio, lower formulation cost, boost growth performance and safeguard pig health.
• End User: Large & medium-sized commercial feed mills with mature production equipment and technical capacity.

1%, 2% Premix

• Ingredients: Based on 0.5% formula plus synthetic amino acids and growth-promoting medicated additives.
• Features: Reduce supplementary crude protein dosage, eliminate separate purchase of individual amino acids and veterinary drugs, promote animal growth and prevent endemic diseases.
• End User: Mid-scale feed manufacturers and pig farms equipped with basic mixing facilities and technical support.

4%, 5%, 6% Premix

• Ingredients: Based on 1% formula supplemented with partial crude protein, calcium, phosphorus and sodium chloride.
• Features: Complete nutritional spectrum; only corn, soybean meal and wheat middlings are required to produce qualified complete feed on site.
• End User: Feed factories, medium & small pig farms and individual backyard raisers.

Key Processing Specifications for Premix Production

1. Particle Size: Micronutrient additives feature extremely low inclusion rate in final complete feed; finer particle size increases particle count for uniform distribution across bulk feed.
2. Carrier Definition: A substrate that adsorbs and carries tiny active additive components into integrated particles. Two main categories: organic carriers and inorganic carriers.
3. Bulk Density Matching: Premix consists of ingredients with varied bulk densities which cause segregation. Organic carriers feature low bulk density while inorganic carriers have high bulk density for density balancing.
4. Adhesiveness: Superior adhesiveness of organic carriers facilitates binding with active ingredients; inorganic carriers show poor adhesion. Vegetable oil improves carrier stickiness and eliminates static electricity.
5. Moisture Control: Excess moisture degrades active nutrients; organic carrier moisture shall be controlled below 10%, preferably under 8%.
6. Microbiological Standard: Carriers must carry minimal pathogenic microbes; deteriorated and moldy raw materials are prohibited for carrier application.

Many small-scale pig farms adopt outdated, crude mixing equipment for premix blending and source low-grade corn, soybean meal and wheat bran at low procurement prices. Despite cheaper raw material cost, home-mixed feed cannot match feeding performance of commercial pelleted complete feed, restricting overall breeding profitability under current market conditions.

Extended Advantages of Premix

Apart from cost saving and fresh, traceable raw materials, premix enables flexible addition of health-care additives and therapeutic supplements, a prominent edge over concentrate and complete feed. Farmers can customize feed with targeted veterinary drugs and nutritional additives following the breeding philosophy: Focus on maintenance over prevention, prioritize prevention over treatment.