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Sweet potato fermentation can significantly improve its nutritional value and digestibility when properly processed. Although sweet potatoes are rich in minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and sodium, as well as various vitamins, their protein content is relatively low. Feeding pigs only with sweet potatoes for a long time may lead to digestive issues, imbalanced nutrient absorption, and even irritability or poor health. To ensure the healthy growth of pigs, it's essential to combine sweet potatoes with other feed ingredients to create a balanced diet.
**(a) Fermentation Method**
To ferment sweet potatoes, first, chop the fresh tubers into small pieces to remove any mud or lumps. Then crush them into a pulp. Mix the pulp with rice bran and an appropriate amount of a feed starter (such as a microbial culture). Adjust the moisture content of the mixture to between 65% and 70%. Transfer the mixture into a sealed, waterproof plastic bag or a cement pit. Start by laying a 25–30 cm layer of bran at the bottom, then add the sweet potato mixture, pressing it down firmly to eliminate air pockets. Cover the top with another layer of bran, but don’t fill it too full. Once sealed with plastic film, check regularly for any overflow or leaks, and seal any gaps immediately.
**(b) Feeding Methods**
After about three days of fermentation, if the material has a sweet, sour, and fragrant smell, it’s ready for use. The moisture content of the fermented material should be considered when calculating the proportion of sweet potatoes in the compound feed. You can mix it with cornmeal, soybean meal, silkworm pupae, and other additives, then offer it freely to the pigs. Ensure they have access to clean water at all times, and encourage them to consume the fermented feed right after opening.
Alternatively, you can first mix green feed with the compound feed and feed it to the pigs, followed by cooked sweet potatoes. Or feed green feed first, then the cooked compound feed. Avoid overfeeding and maintain regular feeding schedules, ensuring adequate water intake to support digestion.
**(c) Appropriate Feeding Amounts**
The amount of feed should be adjusted based on the pig’s weight, age, and sex. Overfeeding can reduce their appetite for other nutrients. For example, piglets, sows, breeding stock, and boars should be fed in smaller quantities. Daily feed should not exceed 20% of their total diet. Pigs weighing less than 35 kg should receive 1.5 to 2 kg of sweet potatoes and green feed daily, along with 0.8 kg of compound feed. Pigs between 35–60 kg should get 3.5–4.5 kg of sweet potato and green feed, plus 0.9–1.0 kg of compound feed. Pigs over 60 kg should have 5–7.5 kg of sweet potato and green feed, paired with 1–1.25 kg of compound feed per day.
**(d) Important Considerations**
Never feed raw sweet potatoes directly to pigs, as this can cause diarrhea, indigestion, and loss of appetite. Always cook or ferment them before feeding. Sweet potatoes should be used promptly and not left for too long. Remove any diseased or damaged portions to prevent poisoning. Piglets, sows, and boars should be given limited amounts of sweet potatoes. If sweet potatoes become the main staple for a long time without proper protein or green feed supplementation, it can lead to swollen piglets or other health problems. Always aim for a balanced, varied diet to promote optimal growth and well-being.
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