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Grass-Legume Forage Fed Fresh and as Silage for Market Hogs^1,2,

Canada Department of Agriculture, Agassiz, British Columbia

Abstract

Results are reported from two studies on the value of fresh-cut grass-legume forage, pasture, and grass-legume silage in the feeding of growing-fattening hogs for market.

The study with fresh-cut forage and pasture included three summer trials with 54 pigs in each. All pigs received concentrate self-fed. Protein levels of 12, 14, and 16% were used in the finishing rations from 110–200 lb. liveweight. Pigs receiving fresh-cut forage in drylot gained 0.11 lb. per day faster than pigs in drylot without forage and 0.14 lb. per day faster than pigs on pasture. Calculated levels of certain B vitamins in the concentrate rations were marginal or deficient compared to National Research Council recommendations. Pasture-fed pigs produced leaner carcasses than those fed in drylot. Differences in organ weights were associated mainly with the difference between drylot and pasture feeding. Pasture-fed pigs had heavier hearts, heavier spleens, lighter livers, lighter small intestines, and lighter large intestines.

Reduction of protein content in the concentrate in the finishing period from 16% to 12% decreased the rate of gain. Pigs receiving the 12% finishing ration ate more fresh-cut forage than those receiving 16% protein.

Grass-legume silage consumption by feeder pigs was very low when fed with self-fed concentrate. Reducing the concentrate intake by 25% resulted in a 200% increase in silage consumption but this was insufficient to overcome the reduction in weight gain from the concentrate restriction. Feeding a small amount of molasses with the silage did not increase its consumption. Silage containing 24% dry matter was consumed more readily than that containing 17–19% dry matter.

¹ Experimental Farm, Research Branch, Canada Department of Agriculture, Agassiz, British Columbia.

² The authors wish to thank D. W. Blackmore for assistance in initiating work on these studies and collection of data in the early trials, and R. Rodger and A. Krahn for handling experimental animals and collection of data. Authors are indebted to Clappison Packers Ltd., Haney, British Columbia, for use of their facilities in collecting carcass and organ data.