Zootechnical impact of high rates of vitamin-rich nutrient supplementation during finishing

This article compares the effects of two levels of vitamin supplementation during finishing on zootechnical performance, carcass characteristics and technological meat quality indicators. The control level was representative of on-farm practice which the study level was far in excess of established swine needs at this stage of growth. The increased rate of vitamin intake in this trial did not lead to any improvements in average performance, carcass characteristics or technological quality indicators of meat from the finishing pigs.However, the vitamin-rich diet did have an effect on weight gain patterns and on ham colour.The cost of integrating vitamin supplements is estimated at only €1/t of feed.This trial did not reveal any financial advantages to increasing vitamin intake rates, but the extra costs remains very low.