RAW SOYBEANS IN SWINE GROWING–FINISHING RATIONS

Two trials involving a total of 120 Yorkshire SPF swine were conducted to evaluate the effect on live performance and carcass characteristics of replacing supplemental protein from 44% soybean meal (SM) with that from raw ground soybeans (RGS). Levels of 10.80, 16.45 and 22.15% RGS in the grower diets caused slower growth rates and reduced feed efficiency compared with those of pigs that did not receive RGS in their diets (P < 0.05). Although the results were not as consistent as in the grower phase, levels of 11.25 and 15.15% RGS in the finisher diets caused slower growth rate. Pelleting of a diet containing 3.65% RGS resulted in improved feed efficiency compared with that of the same diet unpelleted, when fed in the grower phase (P < 0.05). The area of the loin eye muscle tended to become smaller as the level of RGS in the diet increased. Treatment had no consistent effect on the other measures of carcass quality studied.