The Feed Science Podcast Show

Patrick Badger: Feed Efficiency & Pelleting | Ep. 66

Oct 2, 2024

In this engaging discussion, Patrick Badger, a research scientist at Borregaard with expertise in animal sciences and swine nutrition, dives into the nuances of feed efficiency and pelleting. He highlights the critical role of pellet quality in boosting pig growth and compares the advantages of pelleted versus mash diets. Patrick also addresses how binders can enhance feed performance and shares valuable insights for students aspiring to enter the feed science field, emphasizing the importance of resilience in academia.

20:40

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Episode guests

Patrick Badger

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Quick takeaways

Pelleted diets improve feed efficiency and pig performance, offering financial advantages as ingredient costs rise, despite variability in outcomes.

Minimizing fines in pellet quality is crucial for enhancing feed utilization and reducing wastage, highlighting the importance of proper diet formulation.

Deep dives

Benefits of Pelleted Diets for Swine

Pelleted diets offer several crucial benefits over traditional mash feeding for pigs, particularly in the context of rising ingredient costs. Studies have indicated that pelleted feed improves feed efficiency, leading to better performance and potential financial returns for producers. For instance, one study noted a slight increase in average daily gain when pigs were fed pelleted diets compared to mash, highlighting the advantages despite some variability based on environmental factors and genetics. With ongoing increases in ingredient prices, the trend toward using pellets is expected to grow as producers seek cost-effective solutions.

Intro

2min

Exploring Feed Efficiency and Pelleting Research

2min

Impact of Pellet Fines on Feed Efficiency in Pigs

2min

Enhancing Pig Feed Through Pellet Quality

12min

Navigating Academic Challenges: Advice for Students

2min

Hello there!

In this special rerun of The Feed Science Podcast Show, we revisit a conversation with Patrick Badger, a research scientist at Borregaard, who shared insights stemming from his background in animal sciences and his research on swine nutrition and feed manufacturing at Kansas State University. Patrick explored the impact of pellet quality on pig growth performance and the use of binders to improve feed quality. He also compared pellet and mash diets and discussed their impact on animal performance, providing valuable advice for students interested in pursuing careers in feed science. Listen to the episode now!

"In both of my finishing pig studies, we compared pelleted treatments to mash to establish a baseline and assess pellet performance. These improvements, especially given recent high ingredient prices, enhance performance and enable cost recovery through improved feed efficiency."

Meet the guest: Patrick Badger is a dedicated professional with a strong background in animal sciences and a deep passion for swine nutrition. He graduated from Purdue University in 2021 with a B.S. in Animal Sciences and went on to earn his M.S. in Feed Science and Management from Kansas State University in 2023. Patrick's lifelong exposure to the farming and animal industry has shaped his career path. During his academic journey, Patrick gained valuable experience in the commercial swine industry through an internship with New Fashion Pork. This hands-on experience ignited his true passion for swine nutrition. Currently, he leverages his expertise as a Research Scientist at Borregaard, where he continues to contribute to the field he loves.

What will you learn: