Introduction

1. Effects of Abrupt Changes from Corn- to Sorghum-Based Diets on Growth Performance in Finishing Pigs S. Issa, J. D. Hancock, S. M. Williams, and C. Feoli, Kansas State University, Manhattan Introduction Results Previous data from our laboratory suggest that pigs fed sorghum-based diets (when properly milled) have growth performance similar to that of pigs fed corn-based diets. However, there still are concerns about the effects of abrupt changes from corn- to sorghum-based diets (and vice-versa) as prices change. ADG d 0 to 28 kg SE 0.03 Objective To determine the effects of abrupt changes from corn to sorghum (and vice-versa) in diets for finishing pigs on rate and efficiency of gain. Procedures ADFI d 0 to 28 A total of 208 pigs (104 barrows and 104 gilts) were used in the 28-d growth assay. The pigs (average initial BW of 92 kg) were allotted by sex, weight, and ancestry to 16 pens with 13 pigs/pen and 4 pens/treatment. Treatments were: - Corn to corn - Corn to sorghum - Sorghum to sorghum - Sorghum to corn Feed and water were consumed on an ad-libitum basis. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with orthogonal contrasts used to separate treatment means. kg SE 0.15 G:F d 0 to 28 g/kg SE 11 Conclusions Pigs fed sorghum-based diets had growth performance not different from that of pigs fed corn-based diets and there was no evidence that abrupt changes from corn to sorghum or vice-versa during the finishing period adversely affected growth rate, feed intake, or efficiency of growth.