THE INFLUENCE OF SORGHUM DISTILLERS’ WASTE ON THE PERFORMANCE OF PIGS

Abstract

The effect of sorghum distillers’ waste (SDW) inclusion in the diets of weaner and growing pigs were investigated in two feeding trials that lasted for 14 weeks with two weeks of adaptation period. In experiment one, 24 weaner pigs of average liveweight of 8.90kg were fed graded levels of SDW included at the rate of 0, 10,15 and 20% in their rations for a period of six weeks. The pigs were divided into 4 groups of 2 replicates on the basis of weight. The average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) increased significantly (P < 0.05) as the level of SDW inccusion increased. The pigs were redistributed for the second trial. In the second trail. In the second trail SDW was fed at 0, 10, 20, and 30% inclusion in the ration of the pigs in the growing stage. The average daily gain and the feed conversion ratio were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the dietary levels of SDW. The carcass parameters measured, namely, carcass length, carcass weight, significantly (P < 0.05) as the level of SDW increased. Other parameters measured such as loin-area, percent lean cut and fat cut were not affected. The use of SDW above 20% inclusion level did not support good growth performance in pigs.