Copper levels in diets for growing pigs

Summary Results of a co-ordinated trial carried out at twenty-one centres indicated that the performance of growing pigs (20–90 kg) can be improved by supplementation of their diet with copper sulphate. Three levels of copper supplementation were tested, 150, 200 and 250 mg Cu/kg diet. Though significant improvements were recorded on all three levels, the best performance and the highest increase in profitability were obtained with 250 mg Cu/kg diet. With increasing dietary intake of copper, the copper content of the pigs' livers increased markedly. The melting-point of subcutaneous fat was lower in carcasses of pigs that were given supplementary copper sulphate in their diet.