Diet supplementation of growing pigs raised in Coastal Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) pasture lots

Abstract

SUMMARYSeventy Duroc × Landrace weanling pigs (initial weight 20 kg) were used in a 91-day experiment in a semi-tropical environment, to determine the effects of deletion of the vitamin-antibiotic or mineral supplement to a corn-sucrose-soya bean meal diet on performance of pigs in Coastal Bermuda grass pasture lots. Pigs fed the complete diet in confinement in concrete-floor pens had significantly faster body-weight gain than pigs fed the same diet on pasture. Pigs fed the complete diet on pasture gained weight significantly faster than those given the same diet but without a vitamin-antibiotic premix. Those fed the complete diet without a Ca-P-trace mineral supplement on pasture gained weight significantly more slowly than all other groups, and showed lameness and femur and rib fractures (2 animals) indicative of Ca deficiency rickets.