Environmental benefits of crude protein reduction in growing pig diets: is it worth going further?

ABSTRACT: Nitrogen (N) excretion and emissions can be reduced in fattening pigs by reducing dietary crude protein (CP) levels. Effects of this strategy are well documented for moderate CP reduction, but little literature exists on further CP reduction made possible by free isoleucine, histidine, and leucine. This trial evaluated the effects of 2 levels of reduction in CP on growth performance, N balance, and gaseous emissions. Forty-eight pigs were allocated to 12 gaseous emission-measuring chambers at 28 kg live weight. Three dietary treatments (CTRL; -1.2pt; -2.4pt), with a CP content, respectively, of 18.1%, 16.9%, and 15.0% in phase 1 (28 to 48 kg) and 16.1%, 15.0%, and 13.8% in phase 2 (48 to 80 kg), were fed ad libitum. Growth performance was recorded for each phase. Body lipid and protein com

SUBMITTER: Cappelaere L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11561583 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature