Various Levels of Rapeseed Meal in Weaning Pig Diet on Growth Performance, Blood Profiles, Carcass Characteristics and Economic Analysis in Pigs from Weaning to Finishing

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of rapeseed meal (RSM) supplementation in weaning pig diet on growth performance, blood profile, carcass characteristics and economic analysis on weaning to finishing pigs. A total of 120 cross bred ([Yorkshire × Landrace] × Duroc) weaning pigs were allotted to 5 treatments in a randomized complete block (RCB) design. Each treatment had 4 replications with 6 pigs per pen. Five different levels of RSM (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8%) were used as dietary treatments. In overall period, all treatments showed no significant difference in growth performance when dietary as RSM level increased. However, The blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration was decreased as dietary RSM level increased in 6 week (linear response, P<0.01). Total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, T3, T4 showed no significant difference and there was no significant differences on immune response (IgG and IgA). Influence of rapeseed meal supplementation on nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention were not affected by the dietary rapeseed meal level increased. As dietary RSM level of weaning pig diet was increased, there were no differences in proximate analysis and physiochemical property of the pork after slaughter among dietary treatments. In addition, there were no significant difference in pork color L*, a*, b* value and pH at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24h after slaughter. In economic benefit, any significant difference was not examined. Consequently, weaning pigs diet containing RSM had affected BUN concentration but there was no detrimental effects on the growth performance of weaning pigs when up to 8% RSM was fed.