The use of expeller copra meal in grower and finisher pig diets

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to determine the nutritive value of copra meal for grower and finisher pigs (40–95 kg). The apparent nutrient digestibility of copra meal, when included at 200 and 400 g kg −1 in the diet of both the grower and finisher pig, was determined in experiment 1. In experiment 2, productive performance was determined in group fed pigs ( n=360) offered diets ad libitum containing a control diet (0 copra meal) (T1), 100 g copra meal kg −1 (T2) and 200 g copra meal kg −1 (T3) formulated as a direct replacement for barley and 100 g copra meal kg −1 (T4) and 200 g copra meal kg −1 (T5) formulated on a least cost basis. The control and least cost diets were formulated to have similar concentrations of digestible energy and ideal protein. There was a significant interaction in organic matter (OM), protein and energy digestibility between level of copra meal in the diet and age of pig ( P<0.05). The pigs offered the 400 g copra meal kg −1 in the diet had a higher nutrient digestibility during the finisher stage than during the grower stage ( P<0.001). However, age of pig had no effect on nutrient digestibility when the pigs were offered the control diet and the 200 g copra meal kg −1 diets. In experiment 2, there was a linear decrease ( P<0.05) in feed intake as the level of copra meal in the diet increased. There was a significant interaction in growth rate between level of copra meal inclusion and method of formulation ( P<0.01). As the level of copra meal increased in the least cost formulation, growth rate increased ( P<0.05). As the level of copra meal increased in the barley substitution formulation, growth rate decreased ( P<0.05). The inclusion of 200 g copra meal kg −1 in the diet decreased the kill out proportion compared to the control and 100 g copra meal kg −1 ( P<0.01). In conclusion, 200 g copra meal kg −1 can be used in the diet of grower–finisher pigs but its performance will depend on the method of formulation used.