A step-up ractopamine feeding program for finishing pigs

Background: Ractopamine (RAC) supplementation in the feed has been evaluated as a strategy to increase productive efficiency in finishing pigs. Objective: To evaluate the effects of different RAC dietary levels on performance, carcass traits, efficiency of lysine (ELU) and energy (EEU) utilization, and economic viability in finishing pig. Methods: A total of 40 barrows (74.75 +/- 5.22 kg) were fed four RAC levels (0, 5, 10 and 5-10 mg/kg step-up program) from 0-14, 15-31 and 0-31 days. Performance, carcass characteristics, ELU, EEU, cost per unit of weight gain (CWG), payment and profit parameters were measured. The animals were distributed in a completely randomized design in four treatments, with ten replicates per treatment. The experimental unit was each animal. Results: Pigs fed RAC diets showed increased body weights at 14 and 31 days, average daily gain (ADG) at 0-14 and 0-31 days, ELU at 0-14 days, and hot carcass weight as compared with those fed the control diet. The step-up program as compared to the 10 mg/kg RAC concentration resulted in increased body weight, feed/gain ratio (FGR), ADG, ELU, EEU and CWG at 0-14 days. Payment by weight and bonus payment were better for treatments with RAC as compared to control. Conclusions: Pigs fed RAC improved performance, carcass weight, ELU, EEU and economic viability. The results were better for the step-up program compared with the intermittent use of 10 mg/kg RAC.