HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Seerley, R. W. Articles by Wahlstrom, R. C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Seerley, R. W. Articles by Wahlstrom, R. C.

Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal in Rations for Confined Brood Sows^{1, 2,}

South Dakota State University, Brookings

Abstract

Two trials were conducted to evaluate dehydrated alfalfa meal in rations for sows. The sows were reared and kept in concrete-floored pens. In trial 1 levels of 0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0% alfalfa meal were compared. In trial 2 the same levels of alfalfa meal were used, and two levels of protein (14% and 18%) were compared.

A higher percent of sows fed the alfalfa-free or 2.5% alfalfa meal rations failed to farrow litters than sows fed 5 or 10% alfalfa meal in trial 1. Sows fed 10% alfalfa meal weaned significantly more pigs than those on the other three levels of alfalfa meal. Individual pigs in the 2.5% alfalfa group were heavier at weaning, but average litter weight was greatest for sows fed 10% alfalfa.

In trial 2 alfalfa meal and protein level did not affect significantly the number of sows farrowing, number of stillborn pigs, birth weight of the pigs or litter size and pig weight at weaning. Litter size at birth was improved by the higher level of protein in the alfalfa-free ration.

¹ Department of Animal Science, published with the approval of the Director of the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station as Publication 652 of the Journal Series.

² This research was partially supported by a grant from the American Dehydrators Association.