In modern pig farming, new technologies are helping farmers better understand how pigs grow and use their feed. One key area of interest is feed efficiency, which considers the animal’s ability to convert feed into body weight. Another important factor is feeding behavior, which has been linked to feed efficiency. In addition, current research is focusing on the gut microbiota to assess how it influences animal health and growth. Here, we explored how genetics and gut microbiota contribute to differences in feed efficiency and feeding behavior in Iberian pigs. We analyzed gut microbiota collected from fecal samples at 140 and 180 d of age to see how much variation in feed efficiency and feeding behavior could be explained by genetics and microbiota. Our results show that gut bacteria play a moderate role in shaping both feed efficiency and feeding behavior. These findings suggest that gut bacteria may be a useful tool for improving feed efficiency in pigs. However, microbiota did not significantly improve predictions for feeding behavior. This research opens new opportunities to better understand how gut microbiota and genetics impact animal growth, behavior, and overall farm efficiency.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.