Dried bovine plasma in diets for weaned piglets

Abstract

Two experiments were undertaken to determine daily feed intake (DFI), daily weight gain (DWG) and daily intake adjusted for weight gain (ADI) in 144 Large White piglets weaned at an average age of 25 (E1) or 20 (E2) days. A factorial arrangement in randomized blocks was used. Factors consisted of two rations (with or without dried bovine plasma) and two weight classes (light or heavy). No ration effect (p > 0.05) was reported for any of the variables measured. Higher (p < 0.05) DFI and DWG were observed in E1 from 0 to 35 days during post-weaning in heavy piglets. The heavy piglets in E2 showed higher (p < 0.05) DFI, DWG and ADI from 0 to 7, 0 to 14 and 0 to 36 days in the post-weaning period. It may be concluded that dried bovine plasma can totally replace dried skim milk advantageously with an economy in rations for early weaned piglets, provided the aminoacid balance and lactose level are taken into account.