ConductScienceConductScience
ToolsConductScience tool
SwineFree in-browser calculator

Swine ADG & FCR Calculator.

Calculate average daily gain and feed conversion ratio. Compare performance against industry benchmarks.

Run calculator Request a Quote
PrivateData stays in your browser
LiveNo sign-up required
Validated2026-04-08
CitableMethods and citation included

Calculator

Results update in place

Try it out

Load example ADG & FCR data to see the full workflow

Growth & Feed Data

When to use

  • Evaluating closeout performance for finishing barns
  • Comparing genetic lines or diet formulations
  • Benchmarking herd performance against industry standards
  • Calculating feed cost per pound of gain
  • Training farm staff on key production metrics

Do not use for

  • As a substitute for complete nutritional analysis (consult a swine nutritionist)
  • For individual pig tracking without accurate individual feed intake data

Weigh accurately at start and end

ADG and FCR are only as accurate as your weight data. Use calibrated scales and weigh at consistent times (before morning feeding). Group-weigh errors can skew FCR by 0.2–0.5 points.

Account for mortality and removals

When calculating FCR for a group, subtract the weight of dead and removed pigs from total gain, and subtract their estimated feed consumption from total feed delivered. Failing to adjust inflates FCR.

Phase matters — don’t mix stages

Compare ADG and FCR within the same growth phase. Nursery FCR (1.5–1.8) is not comparable to finisher FCR (2.5–3.5). Mixing phases in one calculation produces misleading averages.

1

Method

ADG is calculated as (End Weight − Start Weight) ÷\div Days Grown. FCR is calculated as Total Feed Intake ÷\div Total Weight Gain. Performance benchmarks are based on modern commercial genetics standards (NRC 2012, PIC Technical Manual 2023). All computation is client-side — no data leaves your browser.

2

Validated

Last validated 2026-04-08. Calculations are designed for planning and documentation support; verify procurement decisions against manufacturer specifications or institutional SOPs.

3

How to cite

How to Cite

ConductScience Swine ADG & FCR Calculator (v1.0). ConductScience, Inc. 2026. Available at: https://conductscience.com/tools/swine-adg-fcr-calculator

National Research Council. Nutrient Requirements of Swine. 11th ed. National Academies Press, 2012.

PIC. Wean-to-Finish Nutrient Specifications. PIC Technical Manual, 2023.

Understanding Swine Growth Performance

Average Daily Gain (ADG) and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) are the two most important production metrics in commercial swine operations. Together they determine the biological and economic efficiency of converting feed into marketable pork.

Growth phases and typical ADG: - Nursery (12–50 lbs): 0.7–1.2 lbs/day - Grower (50–130 lbs): 1.5–2.0 lbs/day - Finisher (130–280 lbs): 1.8–2.3 lbs/day

ADG is influenced by genetics, nutrition, health, and environment. Modern lean-type genetics (PIC, Topigs Norsvin) routinely achieve finishing ADG above 2.0 lbs/day under optimal conditions. Poor ADG often signals subclinical disease (e.g., PRRS, PED, Ileitis) before clinical signs appear.

Feed Efficiency and Economic Impact

Feed represents 60–70% of the total cost of pork production. Even small improvements in FCR have outsized economic impact — a 0.1-point FCR improvement across 1,000 finishing pigs saves approximately 2,000 lbs of feed per closeout.

Key drivers of FCR: - Diet formulation: Phase-feeding matched to nutrient requirements (NRC 2012) minimizes waste. Pelleted feed improves FCR by 5–7% vs. meal. - Feeder management: Improperly adjusted feeders can waste 5–15% of feed. Target 40–50% pan coverage. - Environment: Pigs below their lower critical temperature (~60°F for finishers) increase feed intake without proportional gain. - Health: PRRS-positive herds typically show 0.3–0.5 higher FCR than negative herds. - Water access: Inadequate water flow (<1 cup/min for finishers) directly depresses feed intake and ADG.

Track FCR by barn and closeout to identify trends and set improvement targets.

Frequently asked

325
Free tools
1,200+
Institutions
100%
Client-side
0
Uploads required

Next steps

Equipment

Swine Feeding & Weighing Equipment

Browse scales, feeders, and feed management systems for swine operations.

Browse Quote

Need help?

Get a quote on equipment or talk to the ConductScience team.

Request quote