Reduce your manure costs by smartly managing the dry matter content of your liquid feed

30/03/2026Pigs > RentabiliteitPigs > NutriFleXX

Manure spreading season has started again—an ideal moment to reflect on manure production and the associated costs. For pig farmers with a liquid feeding system, there is a clear optimisation opportunity: by increasing the dry matter content of the feed, you directly reduce slurry volume and costs.

Small adjustment, big financial impact

Many pig farms feed wetter than the animals actually need, often due to the nature of by-products, pumpability or the use of rinse water. Yet in many cases, the dry matter content can be increased.

And it pays off: 👉 1% more dry matter = approx. 1 cubic metre less slurry per finisher place per year

Example calculation:

750 kg feed intake per place per year → 660 kg dry matter
At 24% dry matter: 2750 litres of liquid feed
At 25% dry matter: 2640 litres of liquid feed

➡️ 110 litres less manure per place per year

What should you pay attention to?

When increasing dry matter, keep the following points in mind:

Pressure in circuits: Ensure that pressure buildup stays within safe limits.
Valve type: A ball valve allows for thicker feeding more easily than traditional valves.
Trough filling: The trough must fill within 10 seconds, especially with longer troughs, to avoid unrest and uneven feed intake.
Viscosity of by-products: Products such as potato steam peels, soyfeed and oat protein are harder to pump - check maximum inclusion percentages. Specific enzymes can help reduce viscosity.
Capacity for rinse water: Ensure the rinse tank can be completely emptied daily for optimal hygiene.
Salt-rich rations: For high-salt diets, avoid increasing dry matter too much or provide extra drinking water.
Summer period: Higher dry matter requires extra drinking water during heat.
Piglets on liquid feeding: Monitor total water intake carefully, especially when feed intake is low. A 10 kg piglet must drink approx. 1 litre of water daily (10% of body weight); at 26% dry matter, it must take in at least 400 g of liquid feed.

Conclusion

By steering the dry matter level of liquid feed intelligently, you can significantly reduce slurry volume. Very wet by-products may appear cost-effective due to their low cost per kg dry matter, but they limit the ability to maintain a good dry matter percentage, increasing slurry production — and costs. A targeted investment in a balanced ration can lower slurry costs and ultimately improve financial results.

Calculate the benefit for your farm together with your Proxani advisor.