Abstract
The present study set out to determine the effects of incorporating cDDGS into starter, grower, and finisher diets (containing 5%, 10%, and 15% of cDDGS, respectively) on growth performance, carcass and meat quality, and cost effectiveness of pig fattening. Sixty-four pigs (mean body weight of 15.0 ± 2.1 kg) were divided into two groups (n = 32) and fed a control diet (cereal-soybean meal-based) or cDGGS-containing diets (with soybean meal partially replaced with cDDGS). Live weights of pigs as well as weight gains/daily weight gains across all fattening phases did not differ between the two groups of fattener pigs studied (p > 0.05). Addition of cDDGS decreased feed intake per pig during the grower (p < 0.05) and finisher (p < 0.01) phases, and, as a result, throughout the entire fattening period (254 vs. 245 kg for control and cDDGS groups, respectively; p < 0.01). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) for the entire fattening period was significantly less for cDDGS-fed fatteners (2.77) than for controls (2.91; p < 0.05). Carcass weights, fat thickness, and meatiness did not vary between the two groups of animals (p > 0.05). Loin depth was greater in the cDDGS group by ~5 mm (p < 0.05). Slaughter value was higher for the cDDGS group (76.1% vs. 77.0%, p < 0.05). The total cost of fattening and total cost of 1 kg of body weight decreased in cDDGS compared with the control subset of fatteners by ~7% and 8% during the grower and finisher phases, respectively (p < 0.01). The simplified direct surplus per pig was approximately 63% higher for the cDDGS group. Our results indicate that even moderate inclusion of cDDGS to concentrate mixtures (or a partial replacement of soybean meal with cDDGS) may improve FCR without any substantial changes in meat and back fat characteristics as well as significantly decrease the cost of feeding and increase the profitability of pig production.
Highlights
Soybean meal (SBM) is the principal component of the diets for fattener pigs due mainly to its high protein content and quality, lysine-rich amino acid profile, and relatively low levels of anti-nutrients [1]
The general aim of this study was to determine the effects of starter, grower, and finisher diets containing 5%, 10%, and 15% of corn DDGS (cDDGS) of central European origin on growth performance, carcass and meat quality, and cost effectiveness of pig fattening
The feed conversion ratio (FCR) for the entire fattening period was less for cDDGS (2.77) than for control (2.91; p < 0.05)
Summary
Soybean meal (SBM) is the principal component of the diets for fattener pigs due mainly to its high protein content and quality, lysine-rich amino acid profile, and relatively low levels of anti-nutrients [1]. Dried distillers’ grains with solubles (DDGS), by-products of ethanol and bioethanol production, are one such alternative. Corn dried distillers’ grains with solubles are a good source of digestible phosphorus and energy [2,3]. As a source of dietary protein, cDDGS are less expensive than soybean meal, but they contain less crude protein and essential amino acids, especially digestible lysine [3]. A high level of low-digestibility fiber (~42%) results in reduced digestibility or utilization of dry matter (DM) and energy from cDDGS [3]. High levels of oil in cDDGS increase their energy value, the abundance of unsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid, may result in “softening of the fat” when fed to the finisher pigs [3,4]
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