The Effects of Graded Levels of Cane Molasses on the Performance Characteristics, Nutrients Utilization and Economy of Production of Yorkshire Pigs Reared in the Tropics

Abstract

Sixty Yorkshire weaner pigs were used in this trial designed to study the effects of high cane molasses levels in the diets of pigs on their performance and carcass characteristics, organ weights, nutrient utilization and on the economy of production. There were five diets formulated to contain 23% protein (dry matter basis) and differed in the levels of mollasses that were included at 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40%. The Yorkshire barrows and gilts used were randomly divided into 5 equal treatment groups of 12 pigs, made up of 6 barrows and six gilts, and of equal average initial live weight of about 17kg. Half of the pigs on each treatment were group-fed ad libitum, and half were individually fed. They were all slaughtered at the average final liveweight of about 65 kg. Highly significant treatment differences were obtained in the average daily gains, average daily dry feed and dry matter consumed/kg body weight, dressing percentage, carcass length, back fat thickness, percentages of ham and loin, trimmed and dissected fat, dissected bone, gut weight, fresh liver, heart, and kidney weights. There were no differences in the digestibility coefficients of dietary nitrogen, NFE and ether extract, but the differences were significant for the crude fibre digestibility. The N retained was also significantly influenced by the level of molasses, while the percentages of ME and DE utilized were not significantly altered by the molasses. The inclusion of cane molasses considerably reduced the cost per ton of feed, and resulted in higher gross revenues gained per pig relative to the control.