The effects of dietary replacement of maize with sun dried sweet potato meal on performance, carcass characteristics and serum metabolites of weaner-grower pigs

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding 33, 67 and 100% sweet potato meal (SPM) as a direct replacement for maize in a soyabean based diet for pigs. Replacement of maize by SPM had a profound depressing effect on performance during the weaner phase. Average daily feed intake (ADFI) was significantly depressed at all levels of SPM inclusion ( P < 0.05). Average daily gain (ADG) was also decreased ( P < 0.05) as the level of SPM increased in the diets, while feed efficiency (FE) was not significantly affected. During the grower phase, SPM had a less drastic effect on the pigs. A 33% SPM diet compared well with the control diet. Serum glucose was significantly increased ( P < 0.05) at 33 and 67% levels while serum cholesterol was increased ( P < 0.05) at 67 and 100% SPM levels. This study suggests improved performance when SPM does not exceed 33% in the grower diet.