Compensatory body protein gain in newly weaned pigs

Protein sources used in nursery diets are expensive; there is a need to examine alternative feeding strategies to lower production costs. Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of a short term lysine restriction at weaning on pig growth performance and body composition, and the extent of compensatory growth when pigs are then fed adequate amounts of dietary lysine. Pigs were followed until final market weight of 124kg was attained to assess effects of compensatory growth on carcass and meat quality. Short term lysine restriction at weaning reduced growth performance (gains, feed efficiency) and body protein mass while increasing body lipid mass. However, when fed a diet that was no longer limiting in lysine, pigs were capable of achieving compensatory growth with no effects on carcass or meat quality. Short term nutrient restriction may be an effective approach to reduce diet costs without jeopardizing performance and carcass and meat quality.