International Swine Production—Capabilities and Possibilities

Abstract

On a world basis the pig is our most important meat animal. It is a very efficient converter of feed to body energy and ranks only behind poultry and dairy cattle in efficiency of conversion of feed to edible protein. Analysis of the overall increase of 88% in pigmeat output since 1970 shows that much of the change has occurred in developing countries: many of the developed countries are at self-sufficiency. Available data suggest that the world supply of feed grains is sufficient to sustain the projected level of swine production, especially since cereal substitutes and non-conventional feedstuffs are being used in several countries. Protein sources available for swine feeding have' also been extended by the use of alternatives such as peas and lupinseed. Fibrous plant materials are being used in some countries as a feed source, with success. The potential for increased world production of pigmeat is good, especially in Eastern Europe.