Effect of Replacing Maize with Sugar Beet on Nutrient Utilization in Crossbred (Hampshire × Ghungroo) Growing Pigs

Twelve crossbred pigs (32.10±1.03 kg, 3.8 months) were divided into two groups of six each in a completely randomized block design to study the effect of replacing maize with sugar beet on nutrient utilization. Animals were fed on two different rations containing 0% and 10% sugar beet in T₁ and T ₂ groups respectively. The protein content (% DM) of the ration ranged from 17.95±0.06 in ration T₂ to 18.41±0.05 in ration T₁. Nitrogen free extract content (% DM) of the rations ranged from 67.36±0.13 in ration T₁ to 67.13±0.18 in ration T ₂. The digestibility coefficient of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract and nitrogen free extract was similar in T₁ and T₂ groups. The average daily gain (g/day) was 266.67±33.34 in T₁ and 283.33±16.67 in T₂ groups. The growth was found similar among the groups. The feed conversion ratio was 3.43±0.43 in T₁ and 3.19±0.19 in T₂ groups which was similar among the groups. It is concluded that 10% replacement of maize with sugar beet did not alter production performance of crossbred grower pigs.