NUTRITIVE VALUES OF BEET PULP IN PIGS

Abstract

Digestion and feeding trials with pigs weighing approximately 40kg at the beginning of experiment were conducted to determine the nutritive values of beet pulp and corn as feedstuff. In addition, an in vitro method using the intestinal fluid of the pigs and an in vitro-nylon bag method were applied to assess the digestibility of beet pulp and corn in the small intestine and the large intestine, respectively. The results obtained were as described below.
1) Digestibility of energy and crude fiber of beet pulp in pigs was 59.2% and 71.3%, respectively. The counterparts of corn were 79.2% and 23.0%, respectively. The digestible energy (kcal/g) in dry matter of beet pulp was 2.51, which corresponded to 70% of that of corn which was 3.61.
2) Average daily gain of the pigs during 28 days of feeding test was 682g in the basal feed group comprising corn, rice and soybean meal. The mean daily gain further increased when beet pulp or corn was added to the basal feed. The rate of weight gain was 0.289g per g of beet pulp added, and 0.335g with corn. The value of beet pulp as the feed for weight gain was interpreted as corresponding to 86% of that of corn.
3) It was realized that the majority of the digestible energy of corn was digested in the small intestine, whereas the beet pulp was mainly digested in the large intestine. The relative value of digestible energy of beet pulp determined by the in vitro-nylon bag method was 75% as compared to that of corn.