Intake and performance of growing pigs fed diets containing 0, 150, 300 or 450 g/kg molassed or plain sugar beet pulp

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The energy value of feedstuffs with a high content of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) has rarely been measured accurately. The aim of this study was to measure the intake, performance and carcass characteristics of growing pigs given 0, 150, 300 or 450 g plain (P) or molassed (M) sugar beet pulp per kg diet (using substitution for barley). This NSP source was chosen because it is known to be highly digestible by pigs (Longland et al., 1988) and because it is widely available. This work forms part of our programme to evaluate fibrous feeds which may be useful, without or with modification, as alternatives to cereal grains.

Each diet was given to twelve Large White x Landrace pigs. Equal numbers of entire male and female pigs were given each diet. Their initial weight was 18 kg and the pigs were killed two days after their weight exceeded 77.5 kg. The pigs were kept Individually, without straw, at a temperature of 20 ± 3°C.