Improvement for Swine Gibberella Zeae-Damaged Corn by Washing

Abstract

Four experiments with pigs were conducted to compare washed Gibberella zeae-damaged and undamaged control corn as feed for swine. Pigs refused to eat adequate quantities of unwashed or 10-hr washed G. zeae-damaged corn to maintain their body weight. Washing the G. zeae-damaged corn for 48 hr with daytime rinses every 2 hr greatly improved consumption and average daily gain. In three trials (10, 29 and 92 days, respectively) feed consumption and average daily gain of pigs fed washed G. zeae-damaged corn were not significantly different from those of controls. Washing control corn by the same procedure was without effect on feed consumption or rate of gain. The apparent digestibility of dry matter, energy and nitrogen, nitrogen retention and apparent biological value of the 48-hr washed G. zeae-damaged corn were as good as those of control corn. It was concluded that G. zeae-damaged corn can be made suitable for swine feed by appropriate washing. Copyright © 1976. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1976 by American Society of Animal Science.