Steep wheat for piglets

2 April 1999

Steep wheat for piglets

STEEPING wheat for two hours before cooking is beneficial for post-weaning piglets who grow faster and have better feed intakes as a result.

Lambros Zarkadas from Nottingham University told BSAS delegates that piglets poor performance post-weaning was often due to inefficient digestion of cereal-based diets.

Julian Wiseman, lecturer in pig production at Nottingham University, agreed: "Piglets are delicate creatures and a lot can go wrong with them at an early stage which sets them back.

"Improving processing techniques would help piglet performance. In high cereal based diets, feed manufacturers might consider processing wheat if it is shown to be beneficial."