Feeding Soybean Hulls-Swine

A digestion study was conducted to determine the effect of soybean hulls on nitrogen and energy digestibility of diets fed to growing pigs weighing 19.7kg. A replicated 4x4 Latin Square designed experiment was used to evaluate 0, 3, 6 or 12% soybean hulls added to the basal diet. The results indicated that supplementing 3-12% soybean hulls did not alter nitrogen digestibility (76.5%) or energy digestibility (76.9%). A linear increase in average daily gains and feed intake was observed as the soybean hull level was increase in the basal diet. The amount of nitrogen absorbed and retained increased linearly (P,0.004) with increasing soybean hull level in the diet. The researchers observed a trend for reduced urinary nitrogen excretion with up to 6% soybean hulls additions.

Sholly, D.M. and co-workers. 2008. Impact of increasing levels of soybean hulls on nitrogen and energy digestibility in growing pigs. J. Animal Sci. 86:e-Suppl 3; Abstract #140.