ARS | Publication request: GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF FINISHING HOGS CONSUMING 'DUN' OR 'WHITE' FIELD PEAS

Submitted to: Western Section of Animal Science Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings/Symposium
Publication Acceptance Date: April 1, 2005
Publication Date: June 22, 2005
Citation: Wolf, A., Scholljegerdes, E.J., Krall, J., Lake, S., Hess, B. 2005. Growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing hogs consuming 'dun' or 'white' field peas. Western Section of Animal Science Proceedings. Vol 56:135-138.

Technical Abstract: Sixty commercial cross barrows and gilts (initial BW = 74.5 ± 16.4 kg) were used in a completely randomized design experiment to examine the effects of two varieties of field peas on growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing hogs. Hogs were weighed, randomly assigned to pens (10 pigs per pen), and fed one of three finishing diets. Diets were corn and soybean meal (Control); and Control with Forager 'dun' field peas (Dun) or Carnival 'white' field peas (White) incorporated at 16% of the diet at the expense of corn and SBM. Diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and meet NRC recommendations for a 75 kg finishing hog. Initial and final BW was determined from an average of weights taken on two consecutive days. Following and average of 60 d on feed, hogs were slaughtered at a commercial abattoir. No differences among dietary treatments were detected for initial BW (P = 0.92), final BW (P = 0.89), total gain (P = 0.39), ADG (P = 0.63), or ADFI (P = 0.21). Feed efficiency was greater (P = 0.01) for hogs fed White but did not differ (P = 0.62) between hogs fed Control or Dun diets. No differences among dietary treatments were noted for HCW (P = 0.86), USDA muscling score (P = 0.12), last rib fat depth (P = 0.74), loin muscle area (P = 0.95), carcass length (P = 0.57), and standardized fat-free lean (P = 0.43). Tenth-rib fat depth was less (P = 0.01) for hogs fed Dun compared with hogs fed Control or White diets. Estimated percent lean was greater (P = 0.03) for hogs fed White or Dun diets compared with hogs fed the Control diet. Feeding value of Dun and White field peas was similar when included at 16% of finishing hog diets. Partial substitution of field peas for corn and soybean meal does not have a negative effect on finishing hog performance or carcass characteristics.