The Effect of Different Lupin Kernel Inclusion Levels on the Growth and Carcass Composition of Growing and Finishing Pigs

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of different lupin kernel levels on growth performance and carcass characteristics of growing and finishing pigs. In experiment 1, a total of 54 barrows and 54 growing gilts, with an average initial body weight of $24.7{\pm}0.38kg$, was used to determine the effect of different lupin kernel levels (0, 10% and 20%; Control, LK10 and LK20, respectively) in the diets on growth performance with a $3{\times}3$ randomized complete block design for 35 days. There were no significant differences in average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed:gain among treatments. In experiment 2, a total of 54 barrows and 36 finishing gilts, with an average initial body weight of $63.0{\pm}0.56kg$, was used to determine the effect of different lupin kernel levels (0, 15% and 30%; Control, LK15 and LK30, respectively) in the diets on growth performance and carcass characteristics with a $3{\times}3$ randomized complete block design for 63 days. LK30 decreased ADG and ADFI compared with the Control and LK15 (p<0.05). However, LK30 tended to improve feed:gain compared with the Control and LK15. And LK15 did not differ from the Control in ADG, ADFI and feed:gain. With inclusion of lupin kernel in the finishing diet, backfat thickness increased (p<0.01) and carcass grade tended to be improved compared with the Control.