Alteration of nutrition as a means to reduce environmental pollution by pigs

• Published in: Livestock production science Vol. 31; no. 1; pp. 75 - 94
• Main Authors: Jongbloed, Age W., Lenis, Nico P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.05.1992
• Subjects: ANIMAL NUTRITION; AZOTE; CERDO; environmental pollution; FOSFORO; NITROGEN; NITROGENO; NUTRICION ANIMAL; nutrition; NUTRITION ANIMALE; PHOSPHORE; PHOSPHORUS; pig; POLLUTION; POLUCION; PORCIN; SWINE; nutrition; nitrogen; environmental pollution; pig; phosphorus
• ISSN: 0301-6226; 1872-6070
• DOI: 10.1016/0301-6226(92)90057-B

Nutrition can substantially contribute to the reduction of excretion of nitrogen and phosphorus. The first step is to supply N and P with the feed in accordance with the animals requirement. Therefore, adequate knowledge is required on the digestibility of amino acids and P in the feed used and on the requirement of these nutrients at any stage and type of production. In a second step the digestibility of the amino acids and P can be enhanced by using enzymes like phytase, and enzymes for hydrolysing non starch polysaccharides. Also, reduction or elimination of anti-nutritional factor in seeds from for example legumes can lead to a higher digestibility and utilization of N. A further step is to choose those feeds which have a high amino acid and P digestibility. Also, a higher proportion of synthetic amino acids in the feeds can decrease the dietary protein content considerably. Estimations are presented for excretion of N and P by pigs nowadays and in the year 2000. They are based on average conditions in the Netherlands. It was calculated that the N and P excretion by pigs can be reduced by one third and almost 40%, respectively.