ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to prove the effects of dried alfalfa leaves (AL) and/or alfalfa silage (AS) in growing pigs (Danish Landrace x Duroc) under an organic feeding regime on growth performance and carcass traits. Twenty pigs were fed complete feed mixtures (groups A and B) of which 10 received proportions of AL (up to 20%) (group B). Another 20 pigs received AS (up to 30%) (groups C and D) of which 10 received proportions of AL (up to 15% of the ration) (group D). Groups A and B achieved the same growth performance and carcass traits. The use of 20% AL in the complete feed seemed to be feasible. Group D showed partially significantly lower growth and carcass performances than groups A and B. The use of AL saved 27 kg of protein feed per pig in group B compared to group A.
Acknowledgement
This research was supported by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) on the basis of a resolution of the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany on the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE; grant number 2815OE039).
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).