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Peas (Pisum sativum L) are widely produced and can therefore be considered as a cheaper and available protein alternative in pig diets than for instance soybean meal. The major by-product from the production of pea protein concentrate is pea starch, and this starch can be an alternative source of starch. However, differences in energy utilization between pea starch and cereal starch could affect pig performance. In this study data from 100 Norwegian Landrace x Yorkshire sows was collected to investigate if the inclusion of a 20% of pea starch in diets for lactating sows affected sow and litter performance. Two cereal grain based diets were formulated; both diets were a pelleted lactation feed containing 10.20 MJ NE/kg. The lysine content per kg feed was 8.7 g in the control diet (CD) and 11.2 g in the pea diet (PD). In PD part of the wheat inclusion was replaced with pea starch meal. Data collection included registrations of sow daily feed intake, individual weight and backfat measures, litter weights, measurement of blood glucose level after feeding and reproductive performance.
Sows offered the PD had a higher average daily (P<0.001), weekly (P<0.01) and total feed consumption (P<0.001) during lactation. They also had a lower weight loss during the first three weeks of lactation (P<0.001). During the last two weeks of lactation sows offered the control diet had the highest gain in this period (P<0.05). There was a tendency for a higher backfat loss in the pea group during the first three weeks of lactation (P=0.10), but no difference was found in overall backfat loss between treatments (P>0.05). Dietary treatment did not affect litter performance during lactation (P>0.05). The weaning-to-service interval was higher among the first parity sows offered the pea diet compared to the first parity sows offered the control diet (P<0.05).
In conclusion, the results show that pea starch meal can replace part of wheat inclusion in diets for lactating sows. The sows offered the pea diet had the highest feed consumption during lactation, and although this was not reflected in higher weaning weights, it was reflected the sows' improved body condition at weaning.
Thingnes, S.L., Gaustada, A.H., Kjos, N.P., Hetland, H. and Framstad, T. (2013) Pea starch meal as a substitute for cereal grain in diets for lactating sows: The effect on sow and litter performance. Livestock Science 157:210–217. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2013.06.023