Performance and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing pigs fed diets containing graded levels of canaryseed

This study was conducted to determine the performance and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing pigs fed diets containing graded levels of canaryseed. Sixty-four crossbred pigs (Pig Improvement Canada Ltd) weighing 34.4 +/- 2.8 kg were assigned on the basis of sex, weight and litter to one of five dietary treatments in a factorial (5 treatments × 2 sexes) arrangement. A barley and soybean meal diet served as the control. The remaining pigs were fed diets in which approximately 25, 50, 75 or 100% of the barley was replaced by canaryseed (cv. Elias). There was a linear (P = 0.01) decrease in dry matter digestibility with increasing level of canaryseed. In contrast, crude protein digestibility showed a linear increase (P = 0.01) with increasing level of canaryseed. Gross energy digestibility of the diets did not differ (P > 0.05). Over the entire experimental period (34.4 to 107.8 kg), there was a quadratic (P = 0.01) response for weight gain. The 25% canaryseed diet supported the highest growth rate and pigs fed the 100% canaryseed diet had the lowest gain. Feed intake and feed conversion were unaffected (P > 0.05) by level of canaryseed. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in carcass weight, carcass value index, estimated lean yield, loin fat depth or loin lean depth as a result of canaryseed inclusion. However, there was a quadratic (P = 0.02) response for dressing percentage with increasing level of canaryseed. The overall results of this experiment provide a favorable indication that canaryseed can be successfully fed to growing-finishing pigs without dramatically affecting pig performance or carcass characteristics. Therefore, in the future, the swine industry may provide an alternative to the caged bird market as an outlet for growers of canary seed to market their product.