By Yuzhi Li, professor of swine behavior and welfare, University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center.
A newly completed study (Li et al., 2025) evaluated how integrating winter hybrid rye as a dual-purpose crop could reduce production costs, using the grain as a partial feed replacement and the straw for bedding.
The Challenge
Organic pig producers face significant economic pressure from two key inputs: high-cost organic feed (primarily corn and soy) and expensive bedding materials (like wheat straw). The market for these inputs is often volatile, making long-term financial planning difficult.A newly completed study (Li et al., 2025) evaluated how integrating winter hybrid rye as a dual-purpose crop could reduce production costs, using the grain as a partial feed replacement and the straw for bedding.
The Study at a Glance
The two-year study was conducted on organic land at the University of Minnesota, where winter hybrid rye was grown for pig feed and bedding. A feeding trial compared a conventional organic system with an integrated hybrid rye system:- Control System: Pigs were fed a standard organic corn-soybean meal diet and bedded with purchased organic wheat straw.
- Integrated Rye System: Pigs were fed a diet where 50% of the corn was replaced with farm-grown organic hybrid rye. Bedding was provided using the straw harvested from the same rye crop.
Finding 1: Pig Performance and Carcass Traits
The first question for any producer is whether an alternative feed will harm pig performance. The study found:- No Negative Impact on Growth: Pigs fed the 50% rye diet had no significant difference in growth performance (like intake, final weight, or gain-to-feed ratio) compared to the pigs on the standard corn-soy diet.
- A Trade-Off in Carcass Traits: While growth was unaffected, the pigs in the rye-fed group did show a reduction in carcass yield (74.7%) compared to the control group (76.7%). This is a factor producers must weigh in their calculations.
Finding 2: The Bottom Line – Economics
This integrated system proved to be an economically viable strategy for reducing production costs.- Savings per Pig: The integrated system saved $14 per pig in combined feed and bedding costs compared to the control system.
- Whole-Farm Profitability: For a diversified farm that both grows crops and raises pigs, the study calculated a combined enterprise benefit (crop net returns + swine savings) of $129 to $270 per acre ($319 to $666 per hectare).
- Cash Crop Benchmark: The profitability of growing rye just to sell (not use on-farm) is highly sensitive to market prices. Based on the study's production costs ($664/acre) and grain yield (approx. 80 bu/acre), the break-even price was $6.20 per bushel.
Take-Home Messages
- An Integrated System Pays Off: The greatest economic benefit comes from using hybrid rye as a dual-purpose crop for both feed and bedding. The value of the "free" straw is a major driver of this profitability.
- Factor in the Carcass Trade-Off: While pig growth is not harmed, producers must account for the potential reduction in carcass yield when calculating their specific economic projections.
- Know Your Market (Risk Management): The savings from hybrid rye are highest when organic corn prices are high. This makes it an excellent risk management tool to buffer against feed market volatility.
- A Conservation Co-benefit: Hybrid rye isn't just a feed crop; it's also a conservation tool. It protects the soil, reduces nutrient loss, and improves phosphorus cycling in an organic system.
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