The use of expeller copra meal in grower and finisher pig diets

Two experiments were conducted to determine the nutritive value of copra meal for grower and finisher pigs (40-95 kg). The apparent nutrient digestibility of copra meal, when included at 200 and 400 g kg(-1) in the diet of both the grower and finisher pig, was determined in experiment 1. In experiment 2, productive performance was determined in group fed pigs (n = 360) offered diets ad libitum containing a control diet (0 copra meal) (T1), 100 g copra meal kg(-1) (T2) and 200 g copra meal kg(-1) (T3) formulated as a direct replacement for barley and 100 g copra meal kg(-1) (T4) and 200 g copra meal kg(-1) (T5) formulated on a least cost basis. The control and least cost diets were formulated to have similar concentrations of digestible energy and ideal protein. There was a significant interaction in organic matter (OM), protein and energy digestibility between level of copra meal in the diet and age of pig (P < 0.05). The pigs offered the 400 g copra meal kg(-1) in the diet had a higher nutrient digestibility during the finisher stage than during the grower stage (P < 0.001). However, age of pig had no effect on nutrient digestibility when the pigs were offered the control diet and the 200 g copra meal kg(-1) diets. in experiment 2, there was a linear decrease (P < 0.05) in feed intake as the level of copra meal in the diet increased. There was a significant interaction in growth rate between level of copra meal inclusion and method of formulation (P < 0.01). As the level of copra meal increased in the least cost formulation, growth rate increased (P < 0.05). As the level of copra meal increased in the barley substitution formulation, growth rate decreased (P < 0.05). The inclusion of 200 g copra meal kg(-1) in the diet decreased the kill out proportion compared to the control and 100 g copra meal kg(-1) (P < 0.01). In conclusion, 200 g copra meal kg(-1) can be used in the diet of grower-finisher pigs but its performance will depend on the method of formulation used. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.