The value of Australian sorghum for fattening pigs

Abstract

1. At two centres, Hillsborough and Shinfield, forty-eight pigs in four groups were fattened on rations containing Australian sorghum. The control ration consisted of 30%, wheatfeed, 30% barley meal, 30% maize meal and 10% fish meal. In the three experimental rations either barley meal or maize meal or both were replaced by sorghum.2. The rations containing 30% of sorghum proved to be equal to the control ration as far as live-weight gain of the pigs and the efficiency with which they utilized food was concerned. When 60% of the ration consisted of sorghum there were indications that both rate of gain and food utilization suffered.3. Some aspects of carcass quality suffered when either sorghum alone or sorghum plus maize formed 60% of the ration. The quality of the control carcasses, although quite good by present-day standards, would not qualify for first grade when commercial grading is re-introduced.4. Bacon produced on rations containing up to 60% sorghum had no off-taste or unpleasant flavour.5. In general, the value of sorghum in the ration of fattening pigs was found to be about equal to that of maize.