Chapter 39 - Pig Ration

Question 1

Write a note on soya bean meal.

Answer 1

• Pig feed contains less fibre then cattle and sheep. This is because pigs are unable to digest fibre.
• The components of a pig ration are as follows:
  17. 0% Crude Protein
  4. 5% Crude Fibre
  4. 0% Crude Oil
  0. 7% Calcium
  0. 3% Methionnine (essential amino acid for pigs)

1.0% Lysine (essential amino acid for pigs)
Vitamin A (encourages growth and fertility)
Vitamin D (encourages healthy bones)
Vitamin E (plays an important role in maintaining the immune system)

• This ration would be fed to pigs to fatten them up and finish them for slaughter.
• Soyabean meal is included in this ration for its high energy value and high protein content)
• Soyabean meal is also high in Lysine, whereas cereals (Barley and maize) are deficient in Lysine.
• Soyabean meal is prepared by dehulling the seed to remove the seed coat
• Some hulls are added to the ration to ensure that some fibre is in the ration.
• The reason why hulls are added is because dehulling the seed and removing its coat reduces fibre.
• The seed is toasted to improve the biological value of protein.

Question 2

Write a note on rapeseed meal

Answer 2

• Rapeseed meal is a source of protein, however, the amount of rapeseed used in the ration must be limited as there is a presence of anti-nutritional factors.
• The soya, palm and rape acid oils are high in fat and provide a good source of energy. Some pig rations will include animal fat to ensure a high source of energy.
• Iron is added to the rapeseed meal to help prevent anaemia.