Evaluation of Chinese Brown Rice as an Alternative Energy Source in Pig Diets

Recently, Centre-China Agricultural University found that brown rice (BR), as a nonconventional energy source, which was originated from China, has a relatively high carbohydrate and protein contents.Its protein content is comparable with those of corn grain.China is the world's largest producer of BR with an annual production of 2.4 million tons (80% of the total rice products.BR's price is relatively low (2/3 of corn), and energy content is high (table 3).But BR also contains approximately 25% straight chain starch and these compounds have been suggested to impart a poorer use in human foods (He et al., 1994).Precise statements on their nutritional values are limited.It is essential to determine the nutritional values of BR for the use of animal feeds.Therefore, this experiment was designed to evaluate BR as an alternative energy source in growing pig diets.In this experiment, the availability of proximate nutrients and gross energy were measured. MATERIALS AND METHODS Experimental design, animals and dietsA total of six crossbred barrows (Duroc×Landrace× Large White, 44.17±1.94kg BW) were housed individually on metabolism crate on the basis of body weight.Four treatments contained : 1) 100% of corn-soybean meal (C100; Control diet), 2) 75% of corn-soybean meal diet plus 25% of corn meal (C25), 3) 100% of brown ricesoybean meal diet (BR100), 4) 75% of brown rice-soybean meal diet plus 25% of brown rice meal (BR25).6 pigs were used (which is completely inadequate design) and fed 4 diets over 4 weeks (table 1).Control diets contained 3,265 kcal ME/kg, 18% crude protein, 1.15% lysine, 0.45% methionine, 0.7% Ca and 0.6% P (table 2).All diets were mash and adquate amount of vitamins and minerals were supplied as suggested by the NRC (1998).All digestibility trial, chemical analysis and statistical analysis were conducted in the Ministry of Agricultural Feed