Combinations of Peanut Meal and Blood Meal as Substitutes for Soybean Meal in Corn-Based, Growing-Finishing Pig Diets

Ninety-six pigs (average initial weight 20.9 kg) were assigned randomly within each of two replicates in groups of eight to a corn-soybean meal diet, a corn-peanut meal diet and four other diets in which peanut meal and flash-dried blood meal (FDBM) completely replaced soybean meal. The six diets were calculated to be nutritionally adequate and isolysinic during the grower (.75% lysine for 8 wk) and finisher (.60% lysine for 4 wk) phases. Rate and efficiency of gains were lower (P<.05) in pigs receiving the corn-peanut meal diet in comparison with those on the other diets. Over the entire 12-wk period, rate and efficiency of gain were similar in pigs consuming the basal corn-soybean meal diet and the corn plus 15 to 20% peanut meal + 3 to 4% FDBM diets. Apparent biological value and net protein utilization were lower (P<.05) in pigs consuming the corn-peanut meal diet. However, dietary treatments did not affect energy, Ca or P utilization. Carcass measurements were also not significantly influenced by dietary treatments.