Replacement value of brewers' dried grain for maize on performance of pigs

Abstract

AbstractTwenty four crossbred (Landrace x Large White) barrows and gilts of average initial weight of 520 kg liveweight were used to evaluate the replacement value of brewers' dried grain (BDG) for maize in diets of pigs. Animals were randomly allotted to pens and treatments in a randomised block design trail. The treatments were (a) 15% crude protein finisher diet and diets in which BDG replaced (b) 15%, (c) 30%, and (d) 45% of the maize. Pigs were slaughtered on attaining 90 · 2–5 kg liveweight and carcass data collected. Pigs fed the control diet took shorter time to attain final slaughter weight (P < 001) and time taken to attain slaughter weight increased linearly as the level of BDG increased in the diet. The feed intake of pigs decreased linearly (P < 001) as the level of maize replaced by BDG increased. However, feed : gain ratio was not significantly different between treatments. The carcass yield (chilled and warm) and body measurements (body length, chest girth and loin girth) were not significantly affected by the dietary treatments. The percentages of shoulder, loin and belly were not significantly affected by the level of BDG feed. However, the percentage ham increased quadratically as the level of BDG replacing maize increased. The loin‐eye area and the trimmed carcass yield were not significantly different between treatments. The backfat thickness of pigs decreased non‐significantly as the level of BDG increased in the diet of pigs. The organ weights of finisher pigs did not present any clear‐cut picture. However, the liver weights of pigs fed high levels of BDG were significantly less when compared to the control.