Evaluation of sunflower meal on growth and carcass traits of finishing pigs

Abstract

With the objective to evaluate the influence of increasing levels of inclusion of sunflower meal (SFM) solvent extraction (DM: 92.71%, CP: 27.50%, NDF: 43.57%, ADF: 32.96%, CF: 25.91%, EE: 3,08% and GE: 4390 kcal) on the performance and carcass characteristics of finishing swine, a performance trial was conducted in the Department of Animal Science of the Federal University of Lavras - MG. A total of 80 crossbred pigs (LD x LW) with initial weight of 62.20 ± 4.21 kg were utilized, one barrow and one gilt per experimental unit, allocated in a randomized block design. The treatments were represented by five diets with increasing levels of inclusion (0, 4, 8, 12 and 16%) of SFM. At the end of the experimental period, all pigs were slaughtered (99.80 ± 6.91kg) and submitted to the carcass evaluation by the Brazilian Method of Carcass Evaluation (ABCS, 1973). The increasing levels of SFM shown a linear reduction (P<0.05) in the feed intake, therefore all other variables, shown any significant effect. The carcass data evaluation also shown any significant effect (P>0.05) for any increasing levels of SFM in the diets, however, sex effect was found, in the barrows, which shown higher ETM, P2, AG and RCG and lower AOL in relation to the females In conclusion Sunflower meal should be included up to 16% in pig diet (isocaloric and isolysinic, basis ) with no major effects on growth performance or carcass traits of finishing pigs.