THE FEEDING VALUE OF DRIED POTATO PULP FOR PIGS

Abstract

Dried potato pulp (molassed) was fed to growing pigs to replace barley and to finishing pigs to replace oats in the rations. Levels of 0, 15, 30 and 45 per cent potato pulp, in place of barley, were tested with pigs from weaning to market weight. Although 22 per cent potato pulp in a growing ration reduced (P < 0.05) the rate of liveweight gain, results indicated that up to 15 per cent potato pulp allowed satisfactory gains.The replacement of oats by potato pulp in a finisher ration gave an increased rate of gain which was not statistically significant. A level of 30 per cent potato pulp in growing-finishing rations gave lower (P < 0.01 and 0.05 respectively) rates of gain than did the zero and 15 per cent level. Feed efficiency was reduced significantly by all levels of potato pulp fed through the growing-finishing period. Potato pulp appeared to influence "fill" as reflected in lower dressing percentages based on liveweight at marketing. Compared with the controls, 45 per cent potato pulp reduced (P < 0.05) depth of shoulder and loin fat. Coefficients of apparent digestibility for potato pulp dry matter, crude fiber and energy were 81, 75, and 76 per cent respectively; but the crude protein, approximately 7 per cent of the dry matter, was only 25 per cent digestible. This finding emphasized the need for protein supplementation of pig rations containing potato pulp.