Graded levels of herringmeal to bacon pigs, effect on growth rate, feed efficiency and bacon quality

Abstract

1. The relationship between the level of feeding herringmeal and its effect on growth rate, feed efficiency and bacon quality has been examined in nine experiments, each consisting of three groups of seven (in one series six pigs). All experiments concerned herringmeal with about 7% petrol ether extracted fat, fed in combination with ground cereal grains and concentrates (Table 2).2. Seven levels of feeding were tried. In the live weight period 20–30 kg they amounted to 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12%, herringmeal respectively. Later the percentages were successively reduced as follows: in the period 30–50 kg live weight 3/4, in the period 50–65 kg 1/2 and in the period 65–80 1/4 of the original amounts. No herringmeal was fed from 80 to 90 kg when the pigs were slaughtered (Table 1).3. Increased levels of herringmeal produced increased growth rate and also brought about an increased feed efficiency. Most of the response was obtained with moderate levels, i.e. additions starting with 6–8%. Higher levels exerted more total effect, but these further accelerations progressively lessened. For initial additions of 6% herringmeal the growth rate improved on an average estimated at 8% and the feed efficiency by 5% compared with the performances of the pigs on an all-vegetable control diet, whereas corresponding figures for initial additions of 12% were about 13 and 7, respectively. Lower levels proved of little benefit (Tables 3 and 4 and Figs. 1 and 2). Growth-promoting effect of levels of 6% or more proved significant.