Feeding Paylean to Show Pigs

Paylean is a feed ingredient that increases the amount of quality meat in high-value cuts and improves production efficiency. Paylean directs nutrients away from fat deposition and toward lean deposition. Paylean increases muscle protein synthesis, muscle protein accretion, and muscle fiber diameter. It adds about 15% to the pigs genetic potential to produce muscle. Thus, higher dietary protein levels are needed to meet the increased capacity to produce muscle. Paylean is approved for feeding to pigs from 150 lb to market weight. Paylean at 18 g per ton provides the maximum response. Research completed by Akey with Paylean is shown tables 1 and 2. Daily gain and feed/gain improved 10-15% with the addition of Paylean while backfat was reduced and loin-eye area was increased.

Table 1. Effects of Paylean Level on Growth Performance (4 Weeks)

Paylean Level, g/ton

Weeks 1-4	Control	9.0	13.5	18.0
Initial weight, lb	171.56	172.52	171.92	170.65
Final weight, lb	240.88	250.67	248.35	248.94
Daily gain, lb	2.48	2.79	2.73	2.80
Daily feed intake, lb	5.97	5.92	5.60	5.67
Feed/Gain	2.38	2.13	2.04	2.04

Akey, Inc., research trial with 80 individually fed pigs, May 2000.

Table 2. Effects of Paylean Level on Carcass Measurements (6 Weeks)

Carcass Measurement	Control	9.0	13.5	18.0
Tenth Rib Midline Backfat, in.	1.24	1.03	1.00	0.93
Last Lumbar Midline Backfat, in.	0.79	0.70	0.63	0.61
Loin Edge Backfat, in.	0.89	0.63a	0.57ab	0.49b
Loin Eye Area, sq. in.	7.39	8.27c	8.55c	9.09d

abMeans with different superscripts differ within Paylean Level (P<.01).
cdMeans with different superscripts differ within Paylean Level (P<.04).
Akey, Inc., research trial with 80 individually fed pigs, May 2000.

The decision to feed Paylean to show pigs should not be taken lightly. How much additional muscle the pig needs to be ideal for the show ring must be considered. Good structural soundness of pigs fed Paylean is critical to avoid problems due to faster growth, lower feed intake and greater muscle mass. Paylean should be fed continuously at least 4 weeks prior to show or slaughter. If Paylean is taken out of the diet, growth performance is altered and fat deposition occurs rapidly. For best results, Paylean should not be fed longer than 6 weeks.

Average daily gain is increased 10-15% and feed efficiency is decreased 10-15% when pigs are fed ad libitum (free-choice) 9-18 g Paylean per ton. Feed intake is also typically reduced, more noticeably after 4 weeks. Pigs must be full-fed diets containing Paylean for at least 4 weeks in order to obtain the maximum response, however, limit feeding the diet with Paylean for 1-2 additional weeks may be desirable to maximize leanness. Due to faster growth rates, pigs fed Paylean should put on the last 70-80 lbs. of body weight in 4 to 6 weeks. This is in contrast to limit fed pigs, which may take 8-10 weeks to put on the last 70-80 lbs. of body weight. Initial age of the pig should be adjusted accordingly if Paylean is going to be fed.