Banana stem in the finisher ration of pigs

Fourteen crossbred (Large White Yorkshire x Hampshire) castrated pigs (34.48±0.66 kg B.W.) randomly divided into 2 groups were fed a standard finisher ration and in experimental group 10% of standard finisher ration was replaced by cooked banana stem (w/w) till the animals achieved 60 kg body weight. No significant differences were observed in feed intake, nutrient digestibility, growth performance and carcass characteristics between the control and treated groups. The feed cost/Kg gain was reduced significantly (p<0.05) in the experiment group. It was concluded that banana stems after cooking could be incorporated in the ration of finisher pigs for economic pork production.