Chemical composition of complete fodder mixes for pig diet during 2007-2009

Intensive pig breeding implies, among other things, the use of complete mixes in their diet in correspondence with the animals’ age and purpose. In the course of a threeyear period (2007-2009) the accredited laboratory of the Department for Nutrition and Botanics of the Faculty for Veterinary Medicine, Univerisity of Belgrade, analysed 65 fodder mix samples from the territory of Serbia intended for the diet of all categories of pigs, namely: 6 samples of complete mixes for the diet of pregnant sows and gilts, 9 samples of complete mixes for the diet of nursing sows and boar, 4 samples of complete mixes for enhanced diet of piglets, 13 samples of complete mixes for piglets in programme I up to 15 kg, 12 samples of complete mixes for piglets in programme II from 15-25 kg, 10 samples of complete mixes for growing pigs in fattening programme I from 25-60 kg, and 11 samples of complete mixes for pigs in fattening programme II from 60-100 kg. The analyses covered the contents of the elementary nutritive matter and the obtained results were compared with the quality conditions prescribed under the Regulations on the quality of animal feed (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia No. 41/09). It was established that there were certain deviations with regard to the values presented in the Regulations on the quality of animal feed (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia No. 41/09) in the average protein content in complete mixes for piglet diet II, 15-25 kg (17.89±1.19%) and in the mixes for growing pig diet II, 60-100 kg (13.95±0.53%). The established average fat content was lower in the mixes for enhanced piglet diet (5.99± 0.72%) and in mixes for piglet diet I, up to 15 kg (4.95±1.41%). A higher average cellulose content (4.08±0.73%) was established in mixes for enhanced piglet diet. Furthermore, significant differences from the values prescribed under the Regulations were established in certain samples. The established differences in the chemical composition of certain samples of the examined mixes without a doubt indicate the need for constant and multilevel monitoring of raw materials and finished products in order to preserve health and to ensure the best possible utilization of the production potential of animals. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III 46002: Molekularno-genetička i ekofiziološka istraživanja u zaštiti autohtonih animalnih genetičkih resursa, očuvanja dobrobiti, zdravlja i reprodukcije gajenih životinja i proizvodnji bezbedne hrane]