Initial Evaluation of a Model to Describe the Compositional Growth of Pigs Fed Paylean1

Purdue University 2000 Swine Research Report. Pork producers have the goal of efficiently producing lean, quality pork to compete with alternative animal products. The implementation of lean value carcass pricing systems has led to the selection of pigs with increased lean growth rates, increased carcass lean percentages and improved lean feed conversion. Health, nutrition, and facility management strategies have been implemented to increase commercially achievable lean growth rates. Paylean (ractopamine hydrochloride by Elanco) is a feed additive that has the potential to further increase the rate and efficiency of muscle tissue growth. Paylean has been approved to be fed at levels of 4.5 to 18 grams per ton (5 to 20 ppm) from 150 to 240 lbs live weight (last 90 lbs of live weight gain prior to slaughter). The objective of this research was to develop a daily growth model to describe the daily compositional growth of pigs fed alternative levels of Paylean. Future research can utilize this model to evaluate alternative nutrition, management and marketing strategies.