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Prairie Swine Centre is an affiliate of the University of Saskatchewan
Prairie Swine Centre is grateful for the assistance of the George Morris Centre in developing the economics portion of Pork Insight.
Financial support for the Enterprise Model Project and Pork Insight has been provided by:
Feeding barley to starter pigs
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Production by admin on August 11, 2016
Authors: Z. Nasir, L.F. Wang, M.G. Young, M.L. Swift, E. Beltranena and R.T. Zijlstra
Reference: Western Hog Journal Spring 2016
This study aims to test if low quality (LQ) barley can be fed to starter pigs in replacement of wheat.
Piglets were weaned at 24 days of age and fed pre-starter diet for two days followed by a starter diet for five days. Piglets were fed one of four diets: 1) wheat based; 2) high quality barley based; 3) low quailty barley based with medium net energy; 4) low quality barley based with low net energy.
Piglet growth performance and final weight was greatest with the both low quality barley diets, followed by high quality barley diets and wheat diets. Energy digestibility was greater for the wheat diet over the barley diets.
Given proper diet formulation, low quality barley can be incorporated at up to 65% replacement of wheat is weaner pig diets without adverse effects.
Feeding Barley to starter pigs Nasir