Abstract
A study was conducted to evaluate the feces+urine produced per animal (FUPA), dry matter, mineral matter, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur in feces of gilts fed diets with increasing levels of ractopamine (0, 5, 10 and 15 mg kg -1 of diet). A total of 468 finishing gilts were allotted into 36 pens. In two days of each week, feces and urine were daily sampled in four pens per treatment, quantifying the feces+urine. To determine the characterization of feces, two samples per week were taken daily, in nine pens per treatment. It was used a split plot design, considering the ractopamine level as the plot and the weeks as the subplots. There was no reduction in nitrogen amount in feces. An interaction was detected between ractopamine concentrations and weeks for FUPA and phosphorus, potassium and sulfur in feces. Ractopamine addition in diets for gilts has reduced the feces+urine production and nitrogen and phosphorus excretion. Higher values estimated for potassium content in feces of animals fed diets with 10 and 15 mg of ractopamine kg -1 were found between the second and third week. Increasing levels of ractopamine from 5 to 15 mg kg -1 promoted higher excretion of sulfur over the weeks
Highlights
The quantity of manure produced depends directly on feed composition, age and weight of the swine
This study evaluated the effect of different ractopamine levels in diets for gilts on the production of feces and urine, dry matter, ash and organic matter of feces and fecal excretion of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur
The treatments consisted of different ractopamine levels in diets (0, 5, 10 and 15 mg kg1) in replacement to kaolin (Table 1)
Summary
The quantity of manure produced depends directly on feed composition, age and weight of the swine. Due to the lipid anabolism at the finishing phase, the nutrient excretion increases given the low feed:gain ratio of animals in this period Depending on the improvement of the feed:gain ratio, the possible benefits of ractopamine on manure of pigs are commonly estimated from performance data, resulting in empirical values. Ross et al (2011) stated that the addition of 10 mg of ractopamine kg-1 diet for finishing pigs has reduced feed intake (4.4%) and improved the feed efficiency (20.6%), promoting a reduction in 4 days at finishing phase, reducing the manure production. The utilization of ractopamine in diets for pigs can increase the nitrogen retention and reduce the phosphorus excretion (BARK et al, 1992) per animal, decreasing the concentration of these minerals in manure. This study evaluated the effect of different ractopamine levels in diets for gilts on the production of feces and urine, dry matter, ash and organic matter of feces and fecal excretion of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
