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Addressing the need for animal protein in developing nations has led to a significant increase in the demand for feed. Resolving these issues requires improving and expanding feed resources, with a focus on utilizing resources not intended for human consumption. Utilizing agricultural by-products as animal feed is expected to mitigate environmental issues linked to their disposal while enhancing food security in tropical regions. On a global scale, cabbage (Brassica oleracea) is extensively cultivated and consumed, ranking as one of the most vital vegetables within the Brassicaceae family. Studies indicate that cabbage is abundant in minerals, vitamins, and dietary fibers. This research investigated the nutritive value of dried cabbage waste meal as feed for grower-finisher pigs.
Methods: For that purpose, one hundred crossbred (Large white X Landrace; 86.10 ± 0.15 kg BW) grower-finisher pigs of equal sexes were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments with five replicates per treatment in a completely randomized design. The control diet contained 1000 g kg−1 DM concentrate without cabbage waste meal, while diets T50, T100, T150 and T200 had 50, 100, 150 and 200 g kg−1 DM levels of inclusion of cabbage waste meal, respectively, replacing parts of the total mixed ration. Data were collected on growth performance, carcass indices, blood biochemical profiles, and economics characteristics of pigs. The study lasted for 8 weeks. Feed and water were available ad libitum.
Results: Feed intake (2336.74–2651.01 g/d) increased while weight gain (913.04–877.53 g/d) and feed conversion ratio (2.56–3.02) were better among pigs fed control, T50 and T100 diets. Carcass parameters followed the same trend as growth indices. Red blood cell counts (6.04–8.57 × 1012/L), haemoglobin (15.10–18.35 g/dl) and neutrophils (21.28–25.88%) concentrations increased among pigs fed cabbage waste meal. Aspartate aminotransferase concentrations (33.25–40.23 U/L) increased significantly among pigs fed T100, T150 and T200 diets. Total cost of feeding reduced with similar gross benefits across the treatment groups.
Conclusion: The results suggest that up to 100 g kg−1 cabbage waste meal could be incorporated into pig diets to improve their growth performance and support profitable pig production.
David OO, John MO, Mary EL, Usman KDJ, Olayinka AV, John, AO, Sikiru AB, Adewale OS, Emmanuel O, Olusoji AS. Nutritive evaluation of dried cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) waste meal as feed for grower-finisher pigs. Research in Veterinary Science. 2024; 168: 105151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105151