Development of a reduction technique of feed cost for weaning pigs by forage rice feeding

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the addition of rice, amino acids, soybean meal, and skim milk to commercial feed on the growth performance, fecal characteristics, and feeding cost for weaning pigs. We established a control group that was fed 100% commercial feed ; a rice group that was fed 60% commercial feed and 40% ground brown rice ; an amino acid group that was fed 60% commercial feed, 39% ground brown rice, and 1% amino acids ; a protein group that was fed 60% commercial feed, 29.5% ground brown rice, 0.5% amino acids, and 10% soybean meal, and a milk group that was fed 60% commercial feed, 29.5% ground brown rice, 0.5% amino acids, 5% soybean meal, and 5% skim milk. Sixty 3-week-old piglets were used with 12 piglets in each group. Each group was allocated three pens containing two barrows and two gilts. The duration of the experimental period was three weeks. We found that daily weight gain and feed efficiency in the rice group were significantly lower than those in the control group. However, the daily weight gain in the protein and milk group was significantly higher than that in the rice group. There were no significant differences in daily weight gain and feed efficiency among the control, protein, and milk groups. These results show that compared to the rice group, the protein and milk groups were less nutrient deficient. In amino acid group, there was no significant difference in daily weight gain compared to control, protein and milk groups, and also to rice group. In the amino acids group, there was the possibility of a slight nutrient deficiency. The feeding cost per body per weight gain was high only in in the milk group. Thus, we suggest the use of 29.5% ground brown rice, 0.5% amino acids, and 10% soybean meal replacing 40% of standard commercial feed for weaning pigs.