Journal of Animal Science, Vol 75, Issue 5 1308-1318, Copyright © 1997 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Digestible phosphorus needs of terminal-cross growing-finishing pigs

P. R. O'Quinn, D. A. Knabe and E. J. Gregg
Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843, USA.

Growth and digestion experiments were conducted to estimate the digestible P needs of terminal-cross growing-finishing pigs fed sorghum-soybean meal-based diets from 25 to 118 kg. Dietary available P levels approximated the levels recommended by the NRC (1988) or were approximately 25% above or below those levels. Up to 80 kg, dietary treatment did not affect performance; from 80 to 118 kg, the lowest P level (no inorganic P) reduced (P = .03) feed efficiency. Carcass leanness, subjective quality scores for the loin, chemical content of lean, and sensory evaluation of cooked lean were not adversely affected by decreasing P. As dietary P decreased, connective tissue amount in the lean decreased (P = .06). Ash content (P < .01) and peak load (P < .05) of metacarpals and metatarsals decreased as dietary P decreased, but structural soundness scores in the live pig were unaffected by treatment. Apparent digestibility of P decreased (P = .08 to P < .01) as dietary P decreased in the diets. Estimated P excretions per pig decreased with decreasing dietary P up to 80 kg; during the 80-to-118-kg interval, P excretions were similar for pigs fed the two lowest P diets due to reduced feed efficiency of pigs fed the lowest P diet. Dietary digestible P contents maximizing performance and carcass merit were .21, .19, and .16% for pigs fed from 25 to 50, 50 to 80, and 80 to 118 kg, respectively. The results suggest that P excretions of terminal-cross pigs can be reduced by feeding less than current NRC recommendations for P without reducing performance, carcass merit, or structural soundness of live pigs.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				L. S. Alexander, A. Qu, S. A. Cutler, A. Mahajan, S. M. Lonergan, M. F. Rothschild, T. E. Weber, B. J. Kerr, and C. H. Stahl Response to dietary phosphorus deficiency is affected by genetic background in growing pigs J Anim Sci, October 1, 2008; 86(10): 2585 - 2595. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. T. Shaw, D. W. Rozeboom, G. M. Hill, M. W. Orth, D. S. Rosenstein, and J. E. Link Impact of supplement withdrawal and wheat middling inclusion on bone metabolism, bone strength, and the incidence of bone fractures occurring at slaughter in pigs J Anim Sci, May 1, 2006; 84(5): 1138 - 1146. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. W. Hastad, S. S. Dritz, M. D. Tokach, R. D. Goodband, J. L. Nelssen, J. M. DeRouchey, R. D. Boyd, and M. E. Johnston Phosphorus requirements of growing-finishing pigs reared in a commercial environment J Anim Sci, October 1, 2004; 82(10): 2945 - 2952. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. T. Shaw, D. W. Rozeboom, G. M. Hill, A. M. Booren, and J. E. Link Impact of vitamin and mineral supplement withdrawal and wheat middling inclusion on finishing pig growth performance, fecal mineral concentration, carcass characteristics, and the nutrient content and oxidative stability of pork J Anim Sci, November 1, 2002; 80(11): 2920 - 2930. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]