Abstract
Nine trials, involving 779 pigs weaned at 3 to 5 weeks of age, were conducted to determine the optimum protein level sequence and to evaluate the usefulness of dried skimmed milk and sugar, dried whole whey and dairy nutrient blend for starter diets. An 18% protein level was found adequate for starting pigs weighing about 5 kilograms. The use of this protein level is contingent upon the protein quality of the starter diet being at least equal to that of a properly fortified corn-soybean meal diet. A 16% protein level was more efficient than a 14% protein level for pigs weighing from 34 to 45 kilograms. A 14% protein level was adequate for pigs weighing from 45 to 90 kilograms. Neither dried skimmed milk and sugar nor dairy nutrient blend added to a corn-soybean meal diet significantly improved feedlot performance. The inclusion of 17.5% dried whole whey in a corn-soybean meal diet initially improved gain and feed efficiency in a majority of the trials. The feeding of a 14% protein diet for 7 to 14 days following weaning did not significantly affect feedlot performance or firmness of the feces, although there was a trend in two of the three trials where pigs were fed the corn soybean meal diets for the feces to be slightly firmer when pigs were started on the 14% protein diet as compared to the 18% protein diet. Copyright © 1974. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1974 by American Society of Animal Science.