Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of feeding silage to pigs on nitrogen (N) utilization and ammonia (NH3) volatilization. In total, 128 Yorkshire x Hampshire (30-110 kg) pigs were fed commercial feed (Control) or commercial feed mixed with dried, milled silage in pelleted form (Pellet-S), fresh, chopped silage (Silage-Ch) or intensively treated silage (Silage-Pr). Silage replaced 20% of the crude protein (g/kg). Diet affected daily N excretion, which was higher for pigs fed Silage-Ch and Silage-Pr than for pigs in the Pellet-S and Control treatments. Ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N) content in the manure and NH3 volatilization from fresh manure were higher for Control pigs than for pigs in the other treatments. Overall, these results show that pre-treatment of silage influences N utilization and excretion. Furthermore, the results indicate that feeding silage to pigs can reduce NH3 volatilization from fresh manure.

Keywords

Finishing pig; silage; TMR; nitrogen; ammonia volatilization

Published in

Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A - Animal Science
2023,
Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS AS

SLU Authors

• Friman, Johanna

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Åkerfeldt, Magdalena

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Animal and Dairy Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09064702.2023.2225517

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/122991