EFFECTS OF PROTEIN LEVEL AND EXTRUSION PROCESSING OF SOYBEAN MEAL ON THE PERFORMANCE OF GROWING PIGS

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of crude protein concentration (44% vs 48%) and extrusion processing of soybean meal (SBM) on the performance of weanling and growing pigs. One hundred and ninety two (96 pigs of each sex) 3 way crossed (Landrace ${\times}$ Hampshire ${\times}$ Duroc) weaned pigs were allotted to 12 pens each of 16 pigs (8 pigs of each sex). Three pens were assigned to each of the 4 treatment; $T_1$; 44% SBM diet, $T_2$; extruded 44% SBM diet, $T_3$; 48% SBM diet and $T_4$; extruded 48% SBM diet. The 44% SBM diet was formulated to have 18% CP for the starter phase (5-10 wk of age) and 15% CP for the grower phase (10-15 wk of age). The other treatments used equivalent amount of each SBM, replacing the 44% SBM. Chemical assay showed that extrusion processing generally decreased amino acid content especially total lysine and available lysine. Extrusion increased Hunterlab color +a value and decreased the urease activity index. The body weight gains for the $T_3$ and $T_4$ pigs were significantly(p < 0.05) greater than for those on $T_1$ and $T_2$ for the starter phase, but not the grower phase. Extrusion processing did not improve weight gain. Feed intake for the overall period was significantly(p < 0.05) different among treatments. The feed conversion ratios were not significantly different among treatments. An economic analysis showed that the high protein (48%) SBM diet was more cost effective than the low protein(44%) SBM diet, for the starter phase.