Moist barley preserved with acid in the diet of the growing pig

Abstract

SUMMARYThe feeding value of moist barley (approximately 27% moisture) which had been treated with 1·3 % of a mixture of formic (70 %) and propionic (30 %) acids was compared with that of dried barley for growing pigs from 23 to 85 kg live weight. Two experiments were undertaken; 96 pigs were fed ad libitum on one of three diets containing dried or acid-treated moist barley and another 48 pigs were individually fed on one of four diets containing dried or acid-treated moist barley in controlled amounts. These amounts were governed by an allowance of dry matter at a certain live weight.In neither experiment were significant differences found between the treatments in growth rate or efficiency of utilization of food dry matter. Pigs fed ad libitum showed no significant difference in intake of dry matter, but those given the diet containing dried barley had a higher content of fat in their carcass than those on the acid-treated barley. A total of 21 pigs, 16 fed ad libitum and all receiving diets containing acid-treated barley had a discolouration of fat in the carcass.