PSIII-14 Hybrid Rye Can Replace Corn in Diets for Growing Pigs Without Impacting Growth Performance Although Pigs Prefer to Eat Corn Rather Than Hybrid Rye If Given a Choice

Abstract

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to test the hypotheses that feed preference and growth performance will not be affected if hybrid rye replaces corn in diets for growing pigs. In experiment 1, 36 pigs (32.0 ± 1.8 kg) were housed for 8 d with one gilt and one barrow in each pen. Each pen had 2 feeders containing a corn-based or a hybrid rye-based diet. Feeder positions were switched daily, and feed allotments and disappearances were recorded daily. In experiment 2, 128 pigs (27.2 ± 2.2 kg) were allotted to 32 pens with 4 pigs/pen and 8 replicate pens per diet. A corn-based basal diet and 3 diets containing 22, 45, or 67% hybrid rye were fed for 27 d. Body weights were determined at the start and conclusion of the experiment. Experiment 1 data were analyzed by a paired t-test and experiment 2 data were analyzed using SAS Proc Mixed with diet as the fixed effect and pen as a random effect. Contrast statements were used to test linear and quadratic effects of including graded levels of hybrid rye in diets. In experiment 1, preference for the hybrid rye diet was less (P < 0.05) than for the corn diet on each day and for the overall experiment (Table 1). In experiment 2, body weights of pigs, average daily gain (ADG), and gain:feed did not differ among treatments. Average daily feed intake tended to decrease (linear, P < 0.10) with increased hybrid rye inclusion. Taste preference and satiating effects of dietary fiber in the gastrointestinal tract may contribute to the reduced consumption of hybrid rye in both experiments. Nevertheless, the observation that diet did not influence ADG or gain:feed indicate that growing pigs may be fed diets with high inclusion rates of hybrid rye without negatively impacting growth.