Grass/clover silage for growing/finishing pigs – effect of silage pre-treatment and feeding strategy on growth performance and carcass traits

This study evaluated the influence of feeding strategy and grass/clover silage pre-treatment on pig growth performance carcass traits. In total, 128 pigs weighing 30–110 kg were fed either a commercial control feed or received in pellet (SP) total mixed ratio (TMR) containing chopped (SC) intensively treated (SE). Silage replaced 20% dietary crude protein content (g/kg). Diet affected weight gain (P = 0.001), with SP diet showing best overall performance. Pigs SC had lowest while SE performed similarly to those diet. Carcass dressing percentage differed between diets 0.016 P 0.018), but there was no difference lean meat 0.832). The results show satisfactory traits, indicating that can replace other sources growing/finishing diets.