Effect of Graded Levels of Wheat Distillers Grains with Solubles on Nutrient Digestibility, Performance and Carcass Traits of Growing-Finishing Pigs Fed Diets Based on Wheat and Field Peas

This trial was conducted to determine the effects of graded levels of wheat distillers dried grains with solubles （DDGS） on nutrient digestibility, performance and carcass characteristics of pigs （21.8 to 112.3 kg） fed diets based on wheat and field peas. Forty crossbred pigs were assigned on the basis of sex and weight to one of five dietary treatments in a 5 x 2 （treatment x sex） factorial arrangement. The experimental diets were based on wheat and field peas and were formulated to contain 0, 4.86%, 9.71%, 14.57% or 19.42% wheat DDGS during the growing period and 0, 4.01%, 8.05%, 12.10% and 16.14% wheat DDGS during the finishing period. At the highest levels, ~vheat DDGS supplied 100% of the supplementary protein. The digestibility coefficient for gross energy showed a tendency towards a linear decline （P 〈 0.08 ） as the level of wheat DDGS in the diet increased while digestibility coefficients for dry matter and crude protein were unaffected （P 〉 0. 05 ） by inclusion level of wheat DDGS. During the growing period （21.8 to 60.8 kg）, weight gain of pigs fed wheat DDGS declined （P〈0.01） linearly. The impairment in growth appeared to be associated with a decrease in feed in- take which also declined linearly （P 〈 0.01 ） with increasing inclusion level of wheat DDGS. Feed conversion was unaffected by level of wheat DDGS. During the finishing period （60.8 to 112.3 kg）, and over the entire experimental period （21.8 to 112.3 kg ）, weight gain and feed conversion declined linearly as the dietary inclusion level of wheat DDGS increased. Carcass traits were generally unaffected by the inclusion of wheat DDGS with the exception of a trend towards a linear （P = 0.10） reduction in lean yield and a linear increase （ P = 0.09） in loin fat as the level of wheat DDGS in the diet increased. Overall, these results suggest that wheat DDGS are inferior to field peas as a supplementary protein source for use in swine rations.