How A Farmer In South Korea Is Decreasing Pig Mortality Rates

Currently raising 120,000 pigs, Sansoogol is the largest farm in South Korea today. Mr. Choi Sang Ki, the owner, has spent 33 years growing the farm, which now includes four sow and nursery farm sites in Gyeongsang province and 30 grower/finisher contract farms. Sansoogol achieves excellent sow productivity, averaging more than 28 weaned pigs per sow per year. The average in Korea is currently 21.6.

Despite its above-average sow productivity rate, Sansoogol has struggled with high mortality rates during the post-weaning period. Low body weight and poor nutrition led to decreased digestibility of feed and higher rates of diarrhea. Additionally, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) caused further challenges. These factors contributed to greater than 15% mortality rates during the five weeks preceding transfer to the grower/finisher contract farms.

As a producer of antibiotic-free pork, Sansoogol needed a solution that aligned with its brand standards. Mr. Choi Sang Ki decided to focus on nutrition and quality feed. 

Mr. Choi Sang Ki requested a meeting with Cargill to discuss the best ways to address the issues Sansoogol has been facing. He knew the Cargill team’s reputation for superior consulting services and nutrition offerings, and while his feed costs might increase with Cargill, the ultimate return on investment would be greater.

After evaluating the farm, Cargill experts recommended a focus on high-quality young animal nutrition. Mr. Choi Sang Ki switched to Purina® Neopigg® products, which offered benefits around biosecurity, feed safety and quality control. With Purina® Neopigg®, the growth rate and livability of post-weaning pigs at Sansoogol improved dramatically in just a half month. The positive results also benefitted farm staff, which no longer faced the time-consuming and emotionally taxing work of managing morbidity and mortality. The pressure to use antibiotics decreased dramatically. Overall, team morale increased, as did confidence in leadership in terms of managing production and performance.

Mr. Choi Sang Ki felt that Cargill demonstrated significantly better nutrition offerings and on-farm consultative services compared to competitors. He is now looking to the future, working to build a stronger and broader partnership with Cargill.

As demonstrated by the Sansoogol case, young animal nutrition plays a critical role in the development of immunity and digestive health, efficient weight gain and reduction of mortality. If young pigs have the best start possible, these animals deliver higher performance throughout their lives, thereby driving higher profitability for farmers. 

Image courtesy of Sansoogol