Effect of Finishing Rations on Gains, Feed Efficiency and Carcass Characteristics of Swine1

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Abstract
Three feeding trials were conducted to test the effect of several finishing rations upon the rate and efficiency of gain and carcass characteristics of swine. Pigs (147) were individually self-fed in concrete-floored pens from an average weight of 69 pounds to an individual weight of approximately 200 pounds. Individual feed lot and carcass data were obtained on all hogs. Hogs fed corn (grain portion) made significantly faster gains than those fed barley, milo and 1/2 corn 1/2 oats; whereas, hogs fed barley made significantly slower gains than those fed corn, 1/2 corn 1/2 barley, 1/2 corn 1/2 milo, and 3/4 corn 1/4 oats. Hogs fed corn (grain portion) required significantly less feed per pound of gain than those fed barley, 1/2 corn 1/2 milo, or 1/2 corn 1/2 oats, while those hogs fed barley required significantly more feed per pound of gain than all treatments except those fed 1/2 corn 1/2 oats. Apparently, oats could not replace 1/2 corn in a swine finishing ration without seriously lowering average daily gains and increasing feed required per pound of gain. However, oats replaced 1/4 of the corn without seriously affecting average daily gains or feed per pound of gain. Hogs fed barley tended to produce leaner carcasses with a lower dressing percent, less back-fat, and a higher percentage of lean cuts, whereas those fed milo tended to produce carcasses with a lower yield of lean cuts. Iodine number of fat from hogs fed in this study tended to be ranked from low to high as follows: milo, barley, corn and oats.

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