Performance, carcass quality and cost benefit of pigs fed graded levels of dried brewers’ grains

Twelve Large White weaner pigs with average live weight of 7.55 kg (range 7.00-7.90 kg) were used to evaluate the performance, carcass quality and cost benefit of pigs fed graded levels of dried brewers’ grains (DBG). The diets contained 0, 25, 35 and 45% DBG in treatments T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. The experiment was in a completely randomized design (CRD) with each treatment being replicated three times. Fortnightly live weight, daily feed intake, feed cost and final carcass quality of pigs were recorded. Results showed that pigs fed T3 had significantly (P<0.05) higher live weight gain than other treatments during all the stages.  However, pigs on T4 had significantly (P<0.05) higher feed intake (1.32 kg) than those on other treatments during the weaner stage. At the grower stage pigs fed on T3 had weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) similar to the control diet. Back fat (1 st rib) thickness, dressing out percentage and carcass length in T3 diet was significantly (P<0.05) reduced. There was also a reduction of feed cost with increased inclusion of DBG; with diet T3 having the highest gross margin and T2 had the lowest. It is concluded that in growing pigs the inclusion of 35% DBG in pig diets gives highest economic return without affecting performance.