Pea starch meal as a substitute for cereal grain in diets for lactating sows: The effect on sow and litter performance

The major by-product from the production of pea protein concentrate is pea starch, and this starch can be an alternative source of starch compared to for instance starch from wheat in diets for pigs. However, differences in energy utilization between pea starch and cereal starch could affect the animals' production performance. In this study data from 100 Norwegian Landrace x Yorkshire sows was collected to investigate if inclusion of 20% pea starch meal (Pisum sativum L) in diets for lactating sows affected sow and litter performance. Two cereal grain based diets were formulated, but in one of the diets part of the wheat inclusion was replaced with pea starch meal. Data collection included registrations of sow daily feed consumption, individual weight and backfat measures, litter weights, measurement of blood glucose level after feeding and reproductive performance. Sows offered the pea diet had a higher average daily (P<0.0001), weekly (P<0.01) and total feed consumption (P<0.0001) during lactation. They also had a lower weight loss during the first three weeks of lactation (P<0.001). During the last two weeks of lactation sows in both groups were on average gaining weight, but the sows offered the control diet had the highest gain in this period (P<0.05). There was a tendency for a higher backfat loss in the pea group during the first three weeks of lactation (P=0.10), but no difference was found in overall backfat loss between treatments (P>0.05). Dietary treatment did not affect litter performance during lactation (P>0.05). The weaning-to-service interval was higher among the first parity sows offered the pea diet compared to the first parity sows offered the control diet (P<0.05). Blood glucose was not affected by dietary treatment within the chosen timeframe of this study (P>0.05). This study shows that pea starch meal can be used as an alternative source of starch in diets for lactating sows. The sows offered the pea diet had the highest feed consumption during lactation, and although this was not reflected in higher weaning weights, it was reflected in an improved body condition at weaning.