Sunflower cake to sows feeding on gestation and lactation phases

Abstract

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the use of sunflower cake in the rations to gestating and lactating sows. Forty eight sows, 24 gestating and 24 lactating, with the same genetic background were used. The treatments were represented by the levels of sunflower cake included in the rations of gestating and lactating sows, been: 0.0; 5.0; 10.0; 15.0%. The experimental design for both experiments was a randomized block, with four treatments and six repetitions, been the block represented by the reproductive order. Each sow represented one repetition. The characteristics evaluated were back fat thickness, feed consumption, interval weaning to estrus, placenta's weight and reproductive parameters. No significant effects were observed on reproductive performance, except the feed consumption during the lactation that was observed a negative linear effect. The sunflower cake can be included until the level of 20% in feeding programs to sows after 80-days of gestation and to the lactation phase.