Grass silage in diets for organic growing-finishing pigs

P. Bikker, G.P. Binnendijk, H.M. Vermeer, C.M.C. van der Peet-Schwering

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference paperAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

In this study, organically raised pigs received an increasing proportion of grass silage up to 10 and 20% dry matter in the daily ration in the grower and finisher period, respectively, to determine the effects of grass silage on feed intake and growth performance. The pigs receiving a mixture of grass silage and compound feed ingested 0.3 kg DM/d (13% of their daily ration) as grass silage and realised a similar daily net energy intake as pigs fed compound feed only. However, the silage fed pigs realised a lower daily gain (37 g/d) and a lower calculated net energy utilisation (1.6 MJ/kg) for gain and a lower dressing percentage (1.1%) of the carcass. The optimal feeding system and the nutritive value of grass silage for growing pigs requires further investigation to improve the silage intake and clarify and minimise the loss in animal performance.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 4th ISOFAR Scientific Conference ‘Building Organic Bridges’, at the Organic World Congress
EditorsG. Rahmann, U. Aksoy
Pages815-818
Publication statusPublished - 2014
Event4th ISOFAR Scientific Conference ‘Building Organic Bridges’, at the Organic World Congress, Istanbul, Turkey -
Duration: 13 Oct 201415 Oct 2014

Conference/symposium

Conference/symposium4th ISOFAR Scientific Conference ‘Building Organic Bridges’, at the Organic World Congress, Istanbul, Turkey
Period13/10/1415/10/14

Keywords

  • grass silage
  • pigs
  • pig farming
  • roughage
  • growth
  • performance
  • organic farming
  • pig feeding

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Grass silage in diets for organic growing-finishing pigs'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this