PigCHAMP has recently compiled grow-finish data for benchmarking. This is the first time since 2000 that PigCHAMP has provided grow-finish benchmarking between different farms and producers, and it is believed to be the only company to distribute such information. The charts below represent nearly 500,000 animals. "Benchmarking grow-finish performance is more complicated than benchmarking reproduction in many ways," says Dr. John Deen, swine researcher at the University of Minnesota. "We begin with a more inconsistent product and a more complicated decision-making process for benchmarking."

"Factors such as entry weight, exit weight, and diet density can all affect the performance indices seen in grow finish record-keeping," he continues.

As a result internal benchmarking is important for every herd, as external factors can be kept constant and it is easier to identify reasons for changes within the herd over time, explains Dr. Deen.

Nonetheless, researchers agree benchmarking with other herds is important, as are the comparisons that can be drawn from the data.

"The more producers analyze their own herds and make comparisons with other comparable operations, the more they will learn," says Susan Olson, PigCHAMP Information Systems Manager. "This puts them in a position to make positive change. Our goal is to help the producers using PigCHAMP make more money by minimizing inefficiencies," she says.

"We see a great deal of variation in performance in growth rates, mortality rates and feed efficiencies," says Dr. Deen. "The majority of these differences cannot be explained by simple differences in the methods of rearing, or the types of pigs reared. Instead, we have to look more closely at the reasons for poor performance."

As an example, Dr. Deen says weighted entry and exit cannot explain feed conversion ratios above 3.0. "Many farms are showing capabilities in heavyweight hogs that were considered science fiction 10 years ago," he notes.

"Over time, we will look at the trends in grow-finish performance and will consider the real opportunities that are illustrated in the wide range of performance seen in this benchmarking exercise," concludes Dr. Deen.