GROUND PEARL MILLET INSTEAD OF CORN FOR GROWING PIGS:DIGESTABILITY AND PERFORMANCE

In order to evaluate the technical viability substitution of corn by Pearl Millet in an isometrics way for growing pigs rations, it was carried out at the Animal Science Department of the University of Lavras (UFLA) two metabolism assays and one performance trial. The metabolism assays were conducted by utilizing 12 crossbred (LD x LW) barrows (31.80 ± 2.20 kg/BW) for the feed stuffs (ground corn, ground pearl millet and whole grain) and 10 barrows (42.10 ± 2.10 kg/BW) for rations with 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% substitution of corn by ground pearl millet. The pigs were distributed in metabolism cages. The experiment was in a completely randomized block design and the evaluation period was used as split-plots. A total feces collection and oxide ferric as a marker were used in both metabolism assays. A total of 120 crossbred (LD x LW) barrows and gilts with an average weight of 30.69 ± 1.2 kg/BW, were utilized in the performance trial. The experiment was in a randomized block design, with five treatments and twelve replicates, the experimental unit was represented by pens with two pigs (1 barrows and 1 gilt). The metabolism data from both ground pearl millet and whole showed no significant differences (P>0.05) for apparent digestibility of nutrients as well as energetic values. In average, the DDM, ADCP, DP, DE and ME of pearl millet were 87.14%; 86.25%; 11.49%; 3166 kcal kg-1 and 3040 kcal kg-1, respectively. The substitution of ground pearl millet at maximum 100% showed no significant differences (P>0.05) on the digestibility coefficients of Crude Protein and Nitrogen Retention. Therefore, the digestibility coefficients of Dry Matter, as well as the energetic values (DE and ME) of rations decreased linearly (P<0,01) as ground corn was substituted by ground pearl millet. The performance data as daily gain, daily feed intake and feed conversion showed no significant effect (P>0,05) due to the increase of pearl millet in the rations. In conclusion it is technically viable to replace ground corn ,up to 100%, by ground pearl millet in isometrics way in rations for growing pigs from 30 to 60 kg.