Influence of including pecan shelling by-product into pig diets: performance, carcass traits and visceral organ weights

Abstract

Ten pigs (65.55 kg IBW) were used in a 42-d trial to evaluate the influence of partial replacement of corn with pecan shelling by-product (PSB) on performance, carcass characteristics and visceral organ weights in finishing pigs. Dietary treatments consisted of corn-soybean meal-based diet containing 0 or 10% PSB, where PSB replaced 0 or 13% of corn (as-fed basis) in two-phase feeding program. There was not difference on average daily feed intake, average daily gain, and feed efficiency between dietary treatments in both feeding phases. Fecal score as a measure of intestinal activity was not different between dietary treatments, except for the browner feces produced from pigs fed on PSB supplemented diets. No differences on carcass yield and visceral organ weights were observed between dietary treatments, however pig fed on PSB had lower backfat depth. Pecan shelling by-product supplementation into a corn-soybean meal-based diet at 10% inclusion level does not seem to have a negative effect on performance and carcass characteristics. Including PSB into feeding formulations for backyard swine production marginally reduces feeding cost and improves circular economy at local level.