Abstract:
Lupinus albus cv. Ultra and Lupinus angustifolius cv. Unicrop were evaluated relative to soybean meal as sole protein concentrates in wheat-based diets for growing pigs. To ensure that this comparison was on an equal protein and lysine basis, small amounts of free lysine were added to the lupin diets. The digestible energy contents of the soybean, Ultra and Unicrop meals were 15.2, 15.0 and 15.3 MJ/kg (air-dry basis) respectively. The performances of pigs fed on diets based on the Unicrop and soybean meals were similar in all parameters, except that the Unicrop diet resulted in a significantly lower dressing percentage (P < 0.01) and a slightly higher feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05) when calculated on a carcass basis. Pigs fed on Ultra lupins showed significantly lower (P < 0.05) growth rates and significantly higher (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratios during the 20