High protein soybean as a source of protein and energy for starter pigs

Abstract

Two starter pig trials were conducted to evaluate a new type of soybean (SB), AC Proteus, containing higher levels of protein than conventional cultivars. In the first trial, AC Proteus was included at 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, or 20% of the isonitrogenous and isoenergetic soybean meal based diets and fed to starter pigs from 10 to 25 kg In the second trial, AC Proteus was included at 0, 3.5, 7, 10.5 or 14% of the diet, or a conventional soybean, Baron, was included at 0, 4.4, 8.8, 13.3 or 17.7% of the diet on an isoenergetic and isonitrogenous basis.Amino acid levels in AC Proteus on an air-dry basis were higher than those in the conventional soybean, Baron. In the first trial, inclusion of AC Proteus at higher levels appeared to decrease feed intake and rate of gain, although this appeared to be due to lower levels of amino acids in the diets and overheating of the roasted soybean. In the second trial, inclusion of either type of soybean had no effect on feed intake, rate of gain, or feed conversion efficiency. At higher levels of inclusion of AC Proteus, feed intake was reduced slightly.AC Proteus appears to be an excellent source of protein and energy in starter pig diets and gives equivalent growth responses compared with soybean meal or conventional soybean. Care must be taken to optimize heat processing of AC Proteus. Key words: High protein soybean, starter pigs, growth trial