EFFECT OF FEEDING VOMITOXIN-CONTAMINATED WHEAT TO PIGS

Two groups each of three gilts (39 ± 4 kg) were given ad libitum a diet containing 70% vomitoxin-contaminated (1 ppm) wheat (V) and two other groups (controls) the same diet with 70% clean wheat (C). Similarly, for 18 gilts (75 ± 4 kg), two groups were given diet C, two diet V and two groups diet CV containing 35% contaminated and 35% clean wheat. Pigs fed diet V lost weight during the first few days and their weight was less than that of the C pigs; the effect was less pronounced for the CV pigs. Intakes of diets V and CV declined initially then improved; variation in response indicated individual differences in tolerance level during the 21-day experiments. Fifty-six pigs (43 ± 6 kg) were allocated to seven diets and by two sexes in four replicates. Dietary treatments were 0, 14, 28, 42, 56 and 100% vomitoxin-contaminated (1 ppm) wheat in a grower diet with a corn-based diet acting as positive control. There was a linear decrease (P < 0.01) in feed intake with increasing vomitoxin level; weight gains differed significantly in the first week but the differences were not maintained over the 7-wk experimental period. A similar experiment with 56 younger (21 ± 2 kg) pigs for a 4-wk feeding period gave differences in feed intake and weight gain which were not significant; although, differences in gain reached significance (P < 0.05) when positive control data were excluded. Postmortem examinations were undertaken for pigs in all but the first experiment; some discoloration of the stomach and large intestine suggested differences among diets, but none was significant. Key words; Vomitoxin, wheat, pigs, feeding