Effects of methionine sources on growth performance, carcass and meat quality in finishing pigs
Overall, daily feed intake, growth performance as well as carcass characteristics and meat quality of finishing pigs are not different when the diets are adequately balanced by using DL-methionine (DL-Met) or L-methionine (L-Met) to MHA-Ca ratio of 65:100 on a product basis. Results from this trial showed that balancing pig diets using DL-Met instead of MHA-Ca at a ratio of 65:100 on a product basis generates an extra income of 1.00 US$ per pig.
In a comprehensive performance and carcass evaluation trial, we validated that 100 parts of MHA-Ca can be replaced with 65 parts of MetAMINO® without affecting growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of pigs.
Global Senior Expert Swine, Evonik
The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with 65 parts of DL-Met or L-Met replacing 100 parts of MHA-Ca on growth performance, carcass composition, and meat quality of finishing pigs.
Location: University of Illinois, Urbana, USA
Project team leaders: Prof. Bailey N. Harsh, Dr. Casey Bradley, Dr. Maria Mendoza, Dr. John Htoo
| Animals | 240 pigs, 120 barrows and 120 gilts (body weight 25.3 ± 3.5 kg; PIC Genetics 359 x Camborough) |
| Design | 20 pens/treatment with 4 pigs/pen |
| Housing | Pigs were housed in single-sex pens with 4 pigs per pen (1.18 m2/pig). A total of 60 pens were used, each containing a nipple waterer, single-space dry-box feeder, and slatted floors. |
| Diets | 1) DL-methionine (DL-Met) diet, MHA-Ca was supplemented based on 65% bioefficacy for MHA compared with |
| Feeding | Diets and water were offered ad libitum. Pigs were fed commonly, phase 1 diets (day 0 to 27) and phase 2 diets (day 27 to 55). The experimental diets were tested only during phase 3 and 4 (day 55 to 104). |
| Parameters | Average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and gain:feed. One pig per pen was selected (closest to pen average) for carcass quality. |
| Duration | 104 days |
Trial results
- Pigs used in the study had optimal performance. Final body weight (BW) on day 104 was not different when the diet was supplemented with DL-Met, L-Met or MHA-Ca using an average bioefficacy of 65% for MHA relative to DL-Met or L-Met (Figure 1).
- Average daily gain and feed intake during phase 3, 4 or overall (phase 3 & 4) period were not different when the diet was adequately balanced by using DL-Met (or L-Met) to MHA-Ca ratio of 65:100 (Figures 2 and 3). Consequently, gain: feed was not affected.
- Carcass yield as well as loin eye area and back fat thickness of pigs at the end of the trial were not different when dietary methionine was supplemented at a DL-Met to MHA-Ca ratio of 65:100 on a product basis (Table 1).
- Meat quality and color scores were also not affected when using 65% bioefficacy for MHA relative to DL-Met or L-Met (Table 2).
- An economic analysis showed that there is an advantage of 1.00 US$ per pig when pigs were fed the 65 part of MetAMINO® diet compared to pigs fed 100 parts MHA-Ca diet (Table 3).
Further information and downloads
