Ensayos de engorde de cerdos con raciones a base de maíz, yuca y bananas

Abstract

The possibility was studied of carrying out pig feeding operations in connection with coffee growing, utilizing the fruit of banana trees used as coffee shade. A direct comparison was also made between yucca (manihot) meal and corn as concentrates for growing and fattening pigs. Peanut meal and skim milk were used as protein supplements. Green grass was also fed. A Latin square design was used, with five replications representing treatments. The intake of yucca meal concentrate was far superior to the intake obtained with corn concentrate; however, corn was more efficient, 3.07 Kgs. of T.D.N. being needed to obtain one kilogram of body gain, while on the same basis 3.36 Kgs. of T.D.N. were needed when yucca meal was substituted for corn. Bananas with limited skim milk were substantially inferior to the same ration with the addition of two levels of corn concentrate. However, there was no difference between the low level (200 grams daily gain per pig) of 25% of full feeding of concentrates and the high level of 50% of full feeding (210 grams of daily gain per pig). The group fed bananas and concentrates at the low level was the only one that gave returns above feed and labor costs. No statistically significant differences were found in weights due to the type of feeding pen.