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Effects of Feeding Graded Levels of Cane Molasses on the Performance and Carcass Characteristics and Organ Weights of Yorkshire Pigs in a Tropical Environment

University of Ibadan¹ Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Sixty Yorkshire barrows and gilts with average weight of 17.0 kg were randomly divided into five treatment groups with equal sex representations and approximately equal initial live weight. Each group was further randomly divided into two sub-groups; one sub-group was placed on an acl libitum feeding regime while the other was on a restricted regime. Each group was fed one of five diets containing approximately 23% crude protein (on DM basis) but formulated to contain 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% cane molasses. They were slaughtered at an average live weight of 64 kg, their carcasses graded, and some organ weights taken.

No significant differences were found in the average daily dry matter (DM) and air dry feed consumed, but there were significant differences among treatments in average daily gain (ADG), DM consumed/kg of weight gained and air dry feed/kg of weight gained, (P <.01). Significant treatment differences were also recorded for the warm dressing percentage, carcass length, average backfat thickness, percent ham, loin, trimmed fat, empty intestinal tract weight, liver weight, heart and kidney weights (P < .01 or P < .05) but no significant treatment differences in the average loin eye area; percent shoulder, and spleen weight.

¹ Department of Animal Science.