Plant vs. animal protein as a source of supplemental protein for the gilt.

Abstract

Fifty-four crossbred gilts were fed diets containing 0, 5 and 10% meat and bone scraps (MBS) to determine the value for swine reproduction of replacing part of the supplemental protein in a vitamin-fortified all-plant diet (corn-soybean meal diet with added B12) with protein of animal origin. The 0 and 5% MBS diets supported more rapid gains (P<.05) during the 16-week gain test than the 10% MBS diet. No treatment differences were observed, however, for any of the reproductive traits measured; age at puberty, ovulation rate at second estrus, embryo survival and litter size at 26 to 28 days of gestation were not improved by substituting animal protein for part of the supplemental protein of plant origin.