NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS FOR CANADIAN YORKSHIRE SWINE: II. THE EFFECTS OF BARLEY AND OAT FINISHING RATIONS ON RATE OF GAIN, FEED UTILIZATION AND CARCASS QUALITY OF PIGS MARKETED AT 185 AND 200 POUNDS LIVEWEIGHT

Abstract

Four stations co-operated in a statistically analysed feeding trial to compare barley and oats in self-fed finishing rations. Pigs fed barley gained 0.25 lb. more per day, consumed more TDN and calories daily, had higher dressing percentages, and received lower commercial grades for carcass quality. They had more back fat but Advanced Registry (AR) scores were not significantly different.There was no improvement in commercial grades or AR scores when pigs were slaughtered at 185 instead of 200 lb. liveweight, although lighter pigs had less back fat. Significant differences between stations demonstrate importance of considering genetic and environmental influences when interpreting results of nutrition studies.