EFFECTS OF LEVELS OF DRIED APPLE POMACE IN SWINE RATIONS ON GROWTH RATE, FEED EFFICIENCY, CARCASS QUALITY AND SIZE OF CERTAIN ORGANS

Abstract

Two experiments, involving 84 Yorkshire feeder pigs, were conducted to test rations containing various levels of dried apple pomace. In the first experiment dried apple pomace was used at levels of 0,10,20, and 30 per cent by weight of the ration and in the second experiment at 0,20, and 40 per cent.At pomace levels up to 20 per cent no significant change occurred in daily gain, dressing percentage, carcass quality or weight of heart, liver, spleen or small intestine, in either experiment. In the second experiment, there was significantly greater feed consumption per unit of gain, heavier large intestine and lighter stomach at the 20 per cent pomace level. Increasing the pomace level to 40 per cent resulted in significantly slower growth, lower dressing percentage, greater feed consumption per unit gain, leaner carcass, heavier liver, lighter stomach, and heavier large intestine.In the second experiment, an estimated difference of 2–3 per cent crude protein in the two rations fed at each pomace level had no significant effect on any of the characteristics or organs studied.