Effects of riboflavin on growth performance of fattening pigs

Poster. The trial was conducted in order to evaluate if the dietary riboflavin recommendation (3 mg of riboflavin added per kg feed) for pigs over the 25-115 kg bodyweight range, needs to be increased. Four treatments with 3, 6, 9 or 18 mg riboflavin added per kg feed were compared on 160 pigs (27.5 to 115 kg BW). Pigs (castrated males and females) were distributed among 32 pens (8/treatments). All other vitamins were supplemented at 100% or more, of INRA requirements (1984). The analysed riboflavin content provided from raw materials (wheat, barley and soybean meal) was 1.6 mg per kg feed. Supplemental riboflavin had no effect on average daily gain and feed efficiency. There was just a significant negative impact of 18 mg dietary riboflavin compared to 6 on feed intake during the growing period (25-60 kg BW). No effect of dietary riboflavin was noticed on carcass yield, loin and backfat thickness. Meat pH was also not affected by dietary treatments. It was concluded that 4.6 mg per kg feed of riboflavin is enough to meet fattening pig’s requirement.