Effects of Wheat Supplementation Level on Growth Performance, Blood Profiles, Pork Quality and Economic Analysis in Growing-finishing Pigs

There are many proper alternatives that can be used to meet the nutritional requirements of swine while reducing feed cost. Wheat has a higher content of crude protein and lysine than those of corn. In addition, many researchers reported that wheat could substitute for corn in growing-finishing pig without negative effects on growth performance and improve better carcass than pigs fed corn (Han et al., 1976; Bell and Keith, 1994; Han et al., 2005). Therefore, this experiment was conducted to evaluate different levels of wheat as alternatives to corn on growth performance, blood profiles, pork quality and economic analysis in growing-finishing pigs.

A total of 120 growing pigs ([Yorkshire × Landrace] × Duroc), average 27.75 ± 6.391 kg body weight (BW), were allotted into each treatment by BW and sex in 4 replicates with 6 pigs per pen in randomized complete block (RCB) design. The experimental treatments were 0, 15, 30, 45 or 60% of wheat in corn-SBM diet. Four phase feeding programs were used in this experiment. Blood profiles and pork quality were evaluated. Economic analysis was calculated using amount of the total feed intake and feed price. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance using the general linear model procedure of SAS.

During whole experimental period, there was no significant difference in growth performance among treatments. However, G:F ratio tended to increase (quadratic, p< 0.08) when pigs were fed diet higher levels of wheat during finishing period. No differences were observed in BUN, creatinine and total protein concentration among treatments. The proximate analysis of pork was not affected by dietary treatments. However, pH of pork was decreased as dietary wheat level was higher in 0 and 6 hours (quadratic, p< 0.05). Pork and fat color, L*, a* and b* values, shear force and WHC, cooking loss had no differences significantly among dietary treatments. When pigs were fed diets containing wheat, days to market weight was numerically reduced compared to corn-SBM basal diet.

This experiment demonstrated that supplementation of wheat did not show negative responses on growth and carcass characteristics. Moreover, dietary wheat supplementation improved G:F ratio during finishing period and economical profit was increased by reduction days to market weight compared to corn-SBM control treatment. Consequently wheat can be supplemented up to 60% in growing-finishing pig’s diet without detrimental effects on growth and pork quality.

Disclosure of Interest: None Declared.