Fri, 09/21/2012 - 11:17 — De-Registered User
Forage legumes may offer an alternative feeding option for pigs particularly in developing countries.
Canavalia brasiliensis is a common forage legume found in Colombia and yields a dry matter biomass of 6.1t/ha. It has a dry matter of 92.3%, Crude protein of 18.4%, NDF of 45.6 and gross energy of 3945 Kcal/kg.
When Canavalia brasiliensis was fed to growing pigs at 10% inclusion level, feed intake and apparent protein digestibility was found to be higher. However, when the inclusion level increased from 10% - 20, all these parameters begun to decline.
This finding according to the author makes Canavalia brasiliensis a very good protein source in pigs considering the fact that conventional protein sources in pig diets are very expensive.
Ms Sarria concluded that Canavalia brasiliensis can be included in the diet of pigs as a protein source at 10% without any adverse effect on the animal.