Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 March 2009
A co-ordinated trial has been carried out at sixteen centres to compare the following three feeding methods for growing pigs: (1) ‘sow and weaner’ type meal up to 120 lb live weight, followed by ‘finishing’ type meal to slaughter; (2) ‘sow and weaner’ type meal from start to slaughter; (3) as (2), but the cereal and supplement components given separately (not mixed).
Using the sow-and-weaner type meal throughout, rather than changing to a lower protein diet at 120 lb live weight, resulted in slight improvements (less than 2½%) in over-all growth rate and feed conversion; these improvements were not sufficient to compensate for the higher feed costs. None of the carcass measurements was significantly affected.
Lack of mixing of the cereal and supplement components did not harm the performance of the pigs and so farmers who produce their own cereals and buy concentrates may reduce costs by the elimination of mixing.