Relationship of Protein Accretion to Energy Intake in Finishing Pigs
Much of our logic in designing nutritional programs for finishing pigs derives from the perceived relationship of protein accretion rate to energy intake. Protein accretion increases as energy intake increases until it reaches a maximum point, and then plateaus. The evidence indicates that the upslope is linear. The maximum level of protein accretion occurs when energy intake no longer limits it. The limitation then is some other factor, such as amino acid supply or a nebulous “genetic limit.” If protein accretion becomes limited by amino acid supply, and that limitation is released by providing a higher level of that amino acid, then the upslope can extend to higher levels of protein accretion and energy intake. The Proportion of incremental energy used to drive protein accretion, and therefore the leanness of the animal.
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April 06 2008 | Swine | No Comments »