High Levels of Dried Whey Powder in the Diet of Swine

Abstract

High levels of dried whey as a carbohydrate replacement were studied in swine at various stages of growth. With the suckling pig (8 lb.) fed a synthetic diet, with casein plus methionine as the source of protein, levels of 0, 30 and 60% dried whey were studied as a substitute for dextrose. There was no significant difference in rate and efficiency of gain, nor any evidence of a whey-induced diarrhea. With the finishing pig (100 lb.) levels of 0, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 60% dried whey were studied as a starch replacement both in the presence and absence of an antibiotic. A semi-synthetic diet with soybean oil meal plus methionine as the source of protein was used. Level of dried whey did not interact with antibiotic. A level of 60% dried whey produced a depression in rate of gain and daily feed intake and a marked diarrhea, but there was no effect upon the efficiency of gain. All other levels of whey yielded satisfactory performance, although there was some evidence of diarrhea at the 40% level. With weanling pigs, incorporation of 20 or 30% dried whey into the diet as a substitute for corn in a corn-soybean oil meal diet produced a marked decrease in rate of gain and feed intake and a moderate diarrhea. Samples of roller-dried whey produced a higher rate of gain and feed intake than samples of spray-dried whey when fed to the weanling pig as 30% of a diet which contained casein plus methionine as the source of protein. Drying method did not affect feed efficiency.