Tequila distillery solids as a protein source for growing-finishing pigs

Abstract

Feeding and digestibility trials were conducted with pigs to assess the nutritive value of recovered solids derived from tequila industry vinasses. Apparent digestibility of dry matter and crude protein of sun-dried recovered solids was determined with 12 crossbred castrated pigs having an initial average body weight of 65 kg. Animals were randomly assigned to one of the following three dietary treatments in four replicates: (1) 20% concentrate and 80% sorghum; (2) 17.5% concentrate, 62.5% sorghum and 20% recovered solids and (3) 14.5% concentrate, 45.5 sorghum and 40% recovered solids. Two feeding trials were conducted with sun-dried and wet recovered solids. When dry solids were used, 36 crossbred castrated pigs (73.5 kg average weight) were assigned to three blocks of four. Animals within each block were randomly allotted to the same ration composition as used in the digestibility trial. With wet solids, 36 crossbred castrated pigs of average initial weight of 29.6 kg were used. Animals were assigned to three blocks of four and animals within each block were randomly allotted to three rations containing: (1) 23.2% concentrate and 76.8% sorghum; (2) 27.5% concentrate, 52.2% sorghum and 20% wet recovere solids and (3) 31.7% concentrate, 28.3% sorghum and 40% wet recovered solids. Although pigs fed with wet distillery recovered solids (DRS) did not show weight gain, feed intake, toxicity and laxative problems, it was not economical to feed pigs with DRS. However, 6.5% of concentrate and 26.6% of sorghum in swine diets can be replaced with 40% sun-dry DRS included in pig diets. Recovery, drying and milling costs of distillery solids sould be assumed by the tequila companies and not by the swine industry since solids disposal is a problem of the tequila distilleries.