THE EFFECTS OF GRADED LEVELS OF BREWERS' DRIED GRAINS AND MAIZE COBS IN THE DIETS OF PIGS ON THEIR PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS AND CARCASS QUALITY

Abstract

A TRIAL was run with 70 weaner Yorkshire and Yorkshire x Landrace pigs to determine the effects of graded levels of brewers' grains and maize cobs on the performance and carcass characteristics of pigs. The two products were included at the levels of 5, 10 and 15 while the protein contents of the diet were maintained at approximately 20% throughout the experimental period that lasted from the initial weight of 17.0 kg to the slaughter weight of about 92 kg. Pigs were slaughtered at the predetermined liveweight of 92 kg and were conventionally graded. The results showed no significant differences among treatments and between products with respect to average daily gains and efficiencies of feed utilization, but the average daily feed and digestible energy intakes were significantly affected for the weight range of 17 to 55 kg, but not for the other weight ranges. Generally, pigs on brewers° dried grains tended to perform better than those on maize cobs hut the differences were not always significant. With respect to carcass quality measurements, although there were no significant differences among treatment means, there was a tendency towards lower fat measurements and higher lean parameters as the levels of the products increased from 5 to 15%. There were some significant differences between the two products in the carcass measurements of pigs, and the measurements were closely alike in some other measurements. It is concluded that the two products can be conveniently used to replace the more expensive maize component at least up to the 15% level tested in this trial without seriously depressing the performance of pigs.