Abstract

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the pecan shelling by-product (PSB) grindings as partial replacement for corn in swine diets and its exerting effect on sows’ performance. Seventeen pregnant sows (210 kg of initial body weight) were used in a 14-d trial to evaluate the effect of partial replacement of corn with PSB on performance, dietary energetics, and safety. Treatments consisted of corn-soybean meal-based diet containing 0 or 10% of PSB in the diet, where the later replaced 0 or 16% of corn (as-fed basis). Ether extract (EE) content on PSB averaged 185 g/kg. Treatments including PSB had 1.9 times the EE compared to the treatment with only corn-soybean meal. Replacement of 16% of corn with PSB increased the estimated digestible (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) values of the diet by 218 and 230 kcal/kg compared to control diet (90% DM basis), respectively. The higher predicted DE or ME intake for sow fed on PSB diet were 500 or 529 kcal/day compared to control diet, respectively; however, no differences on average daily gain (0.52 kg/d) between dietary treatments were observed. Neither was feed refusal for any dietary treatment nor difference on finishing their respective feed allowance. Sows consumed pecan shell at level of 0.75 g/kg of body weight daily, approximately. Intestinal activity was not affected by PSB consumption and fecal score averaged 3.0. Partial replacement of corn with PSB increased the estimated DE and ME for gestating diets by 7%, without influencing performance and intestinal function. The pecan shelling by-product supplementation at 10% inclusion level into a corn-soybean meal-based diet does not affect performance and its addition to the diet contributes to a more sustainable use of locally available feedstock in swine feeding.