Report discusses raw materials for pigs

Information on digestibility and nutritive value for pigs of biologically-grown feedstuffs is scarce. Therefore, research was carried out by ASG in Lelystad with individually-housed growing pigs to assess the fecal digestibility and nutritive value of 9 energy-rich feed raw materials of which several cereals.

Digestibility was assessed between 40 and 65 kg live weight. The fecal digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, crude fat, non-starch polysaccharides (NSP), energy and phosphorus were determined using chromium as a marker.

Most of the raw materials did not deviate much from the values given in the Dutch Feedstuff Table with regard to chemical composition, although in most batches the concentration of crude protein was mostly lower and that of crude fat and starch in the products under investigation was in most cases higher.

The digestibility of protein in rye, barley, wheat middlings and peas was clearly lower than listed in the Dutch Feedstuff Table. For fat, the digestibility was higher in wheat and field beans, while the digestibility of NSP in most products was lower. The net energy value of the basal diet was 9.84 MJ/kg. Most of the tested raw materials had a Net Energy value that was almost similar to the values in the Dutch Feedstuff Table (2005), except for field beans and peas where the Net Energy was somewhat lower. The concentration of digestible P was higher in wheat, rye and wheat middlings than listed in the Dutch Feedstuff Table, while lower concentrations were found for maize, barley and peas.

Related website:
• The Full report (in Dutch) 

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