Net energy system of feed formulation with or without enzyme supplementation in growing-finishing pigs fed barley-based diets with alternative feed ingredients

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the growth performance and carcass characteristics of growingfinishing pigs fed diets formulated on net energy (NE) basis with or without exogenous enzyme supplementation. Twenty-four pigs with an initial body weight (BW) of 25 kg were randomly allotted one of three treatments; a barley-based control diet formulated on a digestible energy (DE) basis (Diet A), control diet formulated on an NE basis (Diet B), and Diet B + multicarbohydrase enzyme (Diet C). Pigs were offered their respective diets in a 3-phase feeding program. Individual pig BW and feed disappearance were monitored once every 2 wk. Pigs were slaughtered when they reached 100 kg BW to determine carcass characteristics. During phase 1, an improvement (P = 0.02) in feed intake was observed in pigs fed Diet C compared with Diet B. In phase 3, pigs fed Diet B showed improvement in daily gain (P = 0.02) and feed efficiency (P = 0.05) compared with Diet A. Overall, when compared with control diet, pigs fed Diet B showed significant improvement in daily gain (P = 0.05) and feed efficiency (P = 0.01). In conclusion, the results indicate a better growth performance with diets formulated using the NE system. Moreover, enzyme supplementation had no effect on the overall performance of pigs.