United Kingdom: since 2010 there has been an improvement in the FCR

According to DEFRA, following improvements during the early 1990s, the FCR for the pig fattening herd increased (i.e. more feed required per unit increase in pig weight), albeit with some fluctuations, particularly in recent years.

This suggests that the increase in carcase weights seen over the same period have been achieved through more feed per kilogramme of meat produced, implying a reduction in feed efficiency and increased emissions intensity. Several factors could explain this including achieving and maintaining heavier weights, changes in production systems and disease. It is also not possible within this measure to reflect changes in the type of feed used, which may have a bearing on the emissions intensity of production.

Since 2010 there has been an improvement in the FCR, although with the fluctuations; it is too early to tell if this is a change to the longer term trend.

July 2014/ Defra/ United Kingdom.
https://www.gov.uk