Lysine titration in finisher pigs - commercial validation

10 Pages
1 Dec 0012
Author(s): Prof Robert van Barneveld, Robert Hewitt, James Arthur, Steve Peucker

A recent lysine requirement study at the Medina Research Station, W.A. (Moore et al., 2013) using PIC genetics concluded that the requirements were 0.63 gm available Lysine / MJ DE, approximately 10 per cent higher than current industry recommendations. To validate the Medina results APL commissioned a multisite trial involving the three largest commercial producers in Australia. The objective of these studies was to confirm the optimal available Lysine / MJ DE for a modern genotype from 60-100 kg LW. Increasing the level of lysine in the diet from 0.58 to 0.76 gm available Lysine / MJ DE did not affect growth performance of finisher pigs. These results indicated that levels above 0.64 gm available Lysine / MJ DE do not further improve performance and agree with previous research from Medina. Immunocastrated males grew significantly faster than female finisher pigs, however no difference in their FCR was reported.