Tanier Corms as Feed for Growing Pigs

Abstract

Tanier corms, a rarely used byproduct of tanier production, were evaluated as a feed source for pigs in combination with various levels of concentrate. Tanier corms contained about 20% dry matter, and 20 to 30% of the corms were lost during peeling. Peeled corms were stored frozen in plastic bags for long periods but spoiled with in a day after thawing. Peeled corms were not as palatable as boiled, unpeeled corms, Pigs refused to eat unpeeled, unboiled corms. Pigs receiving only concentrated feed had the best weight gains, and those receiving only corms had almost no weight gains. Pigs receiving 30 to 48% of their ration as tanier corms, complemented with a 16- or a 24 %-protein concentrate contain ing double quantity of vitamins, trace elements, and salt, had growth rates and feed efficiencies only 10 to 20% less than those fed a full concentrate ration. The main limitation in feeding corms at rates greater than 30 to 48% of the total ration seems to be the impossibility of the animal's ingesting enough dry matter (due to the high moisture content of the corms) to meet the requirements of maximum growth.