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Effect of Finishing Rations on Gains, Feed Efficiency and Carcass Characteristics of Swine^{1, 2,}

South Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station, Clemson

Abstract

Three feeding trials were conducted to test the effect of several finishing rations upon the rate and efficiency of gain and carcass characteristics of swine. One hundred and forty-seven pigs were individually self-fed in concrete-floor pens from an average weight of 69 lb. to an individual weight of approximately 200 lb. Individual feed lot and carcass data were obtained on all hogs.

The following results were noted:

1. Hogs fed corn (grain portion) made significantly faster gains than those fed barley, milo and corn oats; whereas, hogs fed barley made significantly slower gains than those fed corn, corn barley, corn milo, and corn oats.
   
2. Hogs fed corn (grain portion) required significantly less feed per pound of gain than those fed barley, corn milo, or corn oats, while those hogs fed barley required significantly more feed per pound of gain than all treatments except those fed corn oats.
   
3. Apparently oats could not replace of the corn in a swine finishing ration without seriously lowering average daily gains and increasing feed required per pound of gain. However, oats replaced of the corn without seriously affecting average daily gains or feed per pound of gain.
   
4. Hogs fed barley tended to produce leaner carcasses with a lower dressing percent, less backfat, and a higher percentage of lean cuts, whereas those fed milo tended to produce carcasses with a lower yield of lean cuts.
   
5. Iodine Number of fat from hogs fed the following grains in this study tended to be ranked from low to high as follows: milo, barley, corn and oats.
   

¹ Data from thesis submitted by J. R. Ables in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science.

² Technical Contribution No. 346. South Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station. Published by permission of the Director.