The influence of processing and of certain crude enzyme preparations on the utilisation of cereals by pigs

Abstract

1. Three group feeding trials and two individual feeding experiments, involving a total of 202 pigs from 8 to 10 weeks of age to bacon weight, were conducted to determine the effect of processing (steaming, followed by rolling and grinding) of maize and barley on pig performance. The effect of supplementation of raw and processed cereal diets with two crude enzyme preparations was also studied. 2. Processing of maize or barley had no significant effects on rate of growth or efficiency of food utilisation in pigs fed on diets containing a proportion of bran and pollard, or of pigs fed on diets in which maize or barley constituted the entire cereal portion. 3. Neither enzyme preparation affected pig performance. 4. The growth rate and efficiency of food utilisation of pigs given diets high in maize were significantly better than for those given diets high in barley.