Partial replacement of corn by sorghum in pig feeding at the nursery, growing and finishing phases

Abstract

The study evaluated the effect of partial substitution of corn by sorghum in diet of castrated pigs and the effects on performance, carcass traits and economic feasibility. It were used 27 crossbred barrows from commercial line with 19.66 ± 2,92kg of initial live weight, divided in three groups with increasing rates of sorghum - 0%, 25% and 50% - replacing corn, distributed in a completely randomized design. The trial evaluated: daily weight gain, daily feed intake and feed:gain ratio, backfat thickness and blood biochemical parameters – urea, total proteins, creatinine, glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol. For carcass traits it was evaluated: hot and cold carcass weight, hot and cold carcass yield, pH and temperature in hot and cold carcasses and industrial weight cuts. For economy feasibility was calculated the cost of feed consumed, cost of pig kg, average cost index and economy efficiency rate. It was used regression analysis to evaluate the productive variables. No effects were found for performance data and carcass traits. For the biochemical variables, the effects were linear for urea and total protein, with animals in control group (0% of sorghum) showing higher rates. The bioeconomical performance showed that 50% sorghum had the lowest cost and the highest rate of economic efficiency. Thus, it was concluded that substitution of corn by sorghum at levels up to 50% of the diet represents an alternative to sustainability of regional swine production.