The Use of Malt Sprouts in the Bacon Hog Ration

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Abstract
The results of these feeding trials indicated a remarkable similarity between the effects of malt sprouts and antibiotic supplements when added to the hog ration. Malt sprouts appeared to be partially effective in preventing at least one type of scours. The inclusion of malt sprouts in the growing ration of the pig resulted in a stimulation of growth and a significant increase in feed efficiency.The growth stimulation was not as great as that obtained with terramycin. When malt sprouts was included in the hog finishing ration, a growth stimulating effect was observed for one lot of pigs. The feed efficiency of the ration also showed an upward trend as the malt sprouts fraction of the ration was increased. However, the introduction of malt sprouts into the finishing ration neither stimulated growth nor increased feed efficiency for a second lot of pigs. These opposing results cannot be reconciled, and point to the necessity of further research into the growth-stimulating properties of malt sprouts during this period of growth in the pig. The withdrawal of malt sprouts from the ration when pigs reached a weight of 115 lb., resulted in a decrease in growth rate, presumably due to the decline in feed intake. Such a decrease in growth rate was not observed with the withdrawal of malt sprouts from a ration previously supplemented with terramycin. The crude fiber introduced into the ration by the use of malt sprouts apparently in no way decreased the value of the ration for pigs. It was not, however, effective in improving the grade of carcass produced. Copyright © . .