The Effects of Feeding Ractopamine Hydrochloride to Show-type Gilts on Growth Characteristics and Reproductive Performance

Abstract

Often, the swine industry in Texas is re-populated each year with replacement gilts which were fed and shown for county livestock shows.  During this time of feeding, many of these gilts have been fed additives to enhance muscle development for a market look in the show ring. However, there is limited data regarding the subsequent reproductive performance of these gilts.  A study was conducted to evaluate subsequent reproductive performance in 40 show-type gilts fed Paylean during their finishing stage.  Gilts were assigned to either control or treatment groups (18 g/ton; n=20 per treatment). Age at first estrus (n=34) was not affected by Paylean treatment.  Services per conception (n=24) were 1.41 and 1.17 for control and Paylean treatments, respectively, and were not affected by treatment.  Number of piglets born alive (10.5 and 7.3 for control and Paylean, respectively; n=21) and number of piglets weaned (9.5 and 6.8 for control and Paylean, respectively; n=21) were significantly greater for control than Paylean treatment (P<0.05). Number of piglets born dead, average birth-weight, and twenty-one day piglet weight were not affected by treatment.  These data are based on a small number of experimental units and further data is needed to verify the results.