Zootechnical and environmental effects of high energy feed in growing-finishing pig diets corresponding with CORPEN recommendations

Effects on animal husbandry and the environment were studied using high energy feeds. The diets corresponded or did not correspond with CORPEN recommendations (1996). A total of 288 growing-fattening pigs from 3 batches were used. Firstly, a comparison of the effect of dietary energy level during the winter and the summer was performed, 2 CORPEN feeds: 9.6 vs. 10.6 MJ EN per kg were studied. The third batch dealt with the question of the necessity to use the CORPEN recommendations in the case of high energy level feeds (10.6 MJ EN per kg). All feeds contained, respectively in the growing and fattening periods, 0.9 and 0.8 g digestible lysine per MJ EN. The diets also supplied the ideal protein profile and were distributed ad libitum.The increase in energy feed level induced, irrespective of season, an increase in average daily gain (+35 g/d), a decrease in: lean meat percentage (-1.4 %), feed to gain ratio (-0.2 %) and the nitrogen and phosphorus content of slurry (-19 and -24 % respectively.). When the CORPEN recommendations (1996) were adhered to, in the case of high energy diets, there was no effect on animal performance. However, the nitrogen content of slurry decreased with the CORPEN feed (-12 %) compared to the other diets. The reduction in the nitrogen and phosphorus content of slurry by high energy feeds, could to a certain extent, offer an alternative to slurry processing. However, as expected carcass fat quality was affected by this type of diet and it should be taken into account.