Net energy levels for finishing barrows/Niveis de energia liquida para suinos machos castrados em terminacao

This study was carried out to evaluated levels of net energy in the diet of finishing barrows. Were used 100 swines with an initial body weight of 73.60 [+ or -] 4.80kg, distributed in a randomized block design, with five levels of net energy (2,300; 2,425; 2,550; 2,675 and 2,800kcal [kg.sup.-1] of diet), ten replicates and two animals per experimental unit. The net energy levels were obtained by replacement of soybean oil to replace kaolin. There was a reduction in feed intake, of lysine and crude protein intake and improves feed conversion with increasing levels of net energy diets. The best level of net energy for finishing barrows is 2,800kcal [kg.sup.-1] of diet as it foment reduction in feed intake and improves feed conversion without changing the weight gain and carcass characteristics. Key words: carcass, energy content, performance, nutrition. Conduziu-se este estudo com o objetivo de avaliar niveis de energia liquida na dieta de suinos machos castrados em terminacao. Foram utilizados 100 suinos, com peso inicial de 73,60 [+ or -] 4,80kg, distribuidos em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com cinco niveis de energia liquida (2.300, 2.425, 2.550, 2.675 e 2.800kcal [kg.sup.-1] de dieta), dez repeticoes e dois animais por unidade experimental. Os niveis de energia liquida foram obtidos atraves da inclusao crescente de oleo de soja em substituicao ao caulim. Houve reducao (P