Levels of digestible methionine+cystine in diets for high genetic potential barrows from 95 to 125 kg

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of increasing levels of digestible methionine+cystine on performance and carcass composition of high genetic potential barrows for lean deposition. Sixty-four barrows with initial weight of 95.46 ± 1.09 kg were allotted to a completely randomized block design, with four levels of digestible methionine+cystine (0.427, 0.466, 0.504, and 0.545%, corresponding to the digestible methionine+cystine:digestible lysine ratios of 57.0, 62.0, 67.0 and 73.0%, respectively), with eight replicates, and two animals per experimental unit. Experimental diets and water were provided ad libitum until the end of the experimental period when pigs reached 125.21 ± 2.49 kg. Levels of digestible methionine+cystine did not affect daily intake, daily weight gain and feed conversion of the animals, but they affected daily intake of digestible methionine+cystine which increased linearly. Levels of digestible methionine+cystine did not affect carcass weight, meat amount, backfat thickness at P2, and daily meat deposition. The digestible methionine+cystine level of 0.427%, corresponding to the digestible methionine+cystine:lysine ratio of 57.0% and to a daily digestible methionine+cystine intake of 14.20 g/d, provides the best performance and carcass traits for high genetic potential barrows in the phase of 95 to 125 kg.