Limitations of corn (Zea mays) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) diets as protein and calorie sources

Mixtures of 70:30 and 87:13 of corn and beans with or without vitamins, minerals, limiting amino acids and calories were fed to 5-week-old pigs to determine performance and efficiency of utilization. After 12 weeks it was shown that increasing the ratio from 87:13 to 70:30 (corn:beans) was a desirable measure as was the simultaneous supplementation with the other nutrients; individual groups of nutrients resulted in partial improvement in animal performance. None of the diets used was capable of inducing growth similar to the control groups fed a corn:soya diet. Results confirm the importance of total nutrients to obtain increased efficiency of protein utilization; furthermore, diets, such as the corn:bean diets studied, need to be improved in relation to both quality and quantity of protein.INCAP Publication I-1144