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A model of the growth of pigs fed ad libitum

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 November 2017

G.C. Emmans*
Affiliation:
Edinburgh School of AgricultureWest Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG
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Extract

The growth of a pig depends on the rate at which it eats feed and the composition of the feed. Where feed intake is controlled a pig eats all of its allowance and the problem is to predict its growth. When a pig is given free and continuous access to a feed its rate of intake as well as its growth has to be predicted. Functions which predict intake as dry matter or energy in terms of pig weight can, at best, be only approximations. A different approach to the problem of predicting feed intake is suggested here.

Prediction of intake. Suppose a pig at a protein weight, P kg, seeks to attain rates of protein and lipid retention of PR and LR kg/d respectively. Its protein requirement, PRQ kg/d, is some function of P and PR and its energy requirement, ERQ, is some function of P, PR and LR.

Type
Pig Production
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Production 1986

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