Growth Performance of Swine (Sus scrofa domesticus) in Response to

Varied Levels of Native Taro (Schismatoglottis calyptrata) Silage

Jay Lou S. Maculanta1, Paul S. Tacbaya1 and Valerio A. Tugahan2
1
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture student, JRMSU – Katipunan Campus
2
Associate Professor II, JRMSU – Katipunan Campus
Email address: vatugahan@jrmsu.edu.ph

ABSTRACT

Swine production plays a significant role in ensuring the country’s food security by
providing about 60% of the total animal meat consumption of Filipinos. However, due to the
continuous rising cost of local and imported ingredients, utilization of available feedstuff in the
locality may be a considerable option. This study was conducted to determine the response of
swine on varied levels of Native Taro (Schismatoglottis calyptrata) Silage (NTS) in terms of its
growth performance, feed conversion efficiency and return on investment (ROI). A Completely
Randomized Design (CRD) was used having four (4) treatments and three (3) replications with
three piglets per replication. The study animals were fed with a ration containing varied levels of
Native Taro Silage (NTS) as follows: Treatment 0 (100% CF), Treatment 1 (75% CF + 25%
NTS), Treatment 2 (65% CF + 35% NTS) and Treatment 3 (55% CF + 45% NTS). Results
revealed that the weight gain, feed and water consumption of swine were significantly affected
using 55% commercial feeds and 45% NTS. Moreover, the said feed formulation showed the
highest feed conversion efficiency among other treatments with 1.47 kilograms of feed ration
needed to produce a kilogram of meat and the most economically feasible treatment with
113.56% ROI. Further studies focusing on the meat quality is recommended.

Keywords: silage, Native Taro, swine, growth performance, Return on Investment

1
Introduction

One of the good sources of income today is raising pigs. The raiser is assured of return on
investment in less than a year because it reaches a marketable size in a relatively short period of
time. However, it was observed that the prices of commercial feeds were increasing every year
due to the continuously rising cost of local as well as imported ingredients. Despite economic
restraints, the utilization of available feedstuff in our place was the best means of reducing feed
cost, but many common feedstuffs contain toxins or indigestible nutrient that may reduce the
voluntary feed intake and pig performance which affect the nutrient requirement.

Many people discovered the potentials of green plant materials and these were regarded
as protein-rich feed sources. However, this is an increasingly scarce resource which results in a
lack of protein in pig diets, and thus pig performance is reduced. The scarcity of resources can be
resolved by the use of other species of taro which are naturally abundant in the wild.

Alternative source like Native Taro may be used as protein sources for improving pig
diets in smallholder pig production systems. Studies on boiled taro cocoyam in the diets of
weaned pigs carried out by Agwunobi LN et al. (2005) revealed that there was no significant
difference in feed intake, weight gain and feed efficiency between the diets containing boiled
taro leaves and petioles. It was exactly opposite with the diets contained unboiled taro, especially
at levels more than 50% replacement of maize. In another study by Ngo HuuToan (2003) feed
intake, rate of live weight gain and feed conversion ratio were poorest in pigs fed fresh taro
leaves and stem, better responses were obtained for pigs fed cooked taro leaves and stem, while
the best results were obtained for those fed ensiled taro leaves and stem.

Materials and Methods

The materials used in the study were twelve (12) weanlings that were placed in a pen of
equal size, made of concrete walls and floor. Complete Randomized Design (CRD) was the
experimental design used in the study with four (4) treatments and three replications with (3)
weanlings per replication.
The feeds used in the study were hog starter, grower and finisher. The studied animals
were fed with a ration containing varied levels of Native Taro Silage (NTS). The treatments were
as follows: Treatment 0 (100% Commercial Feed), Treatment 1 (75% of CF + 25% NTS),
Treatment 2 (65% CF + 35% NTS) and Treatment 3 (55% CF + 45% NTS).
Experimental animals were hand-fed in split application one in every morning, and the
other half was in the afternoon. Clean and fresh water was made available through a nipple
drinker. The commercial feeds and Native Taro Silage were reliably weighed every feeding time
to have an exact amount of feeds in each replication. Equal amounts of vitamin B complex were
injected to the studied animals twice a month for their vitamin and mineral intake to boost their
resistance against possible diseases. The studied animals were periodically weighed every after
fifteen (15) days using a weighing scale.

2
Results and Discussion

Actual Weight of the Study Animal (kg)

This parameter was determined by getting the actual weight of swine in a bimonthly
period.

120

100
Weight (kg)

80
T0 - Control
60
T1 - 25% NTS
40 T2 - 35% NTS

20 T3 - 45% NTS

0
Initial 15 days 30 days 45 days 60 days 75 days 90 days
Interval

Figure 1.0 Mean Weight of swine in different period

Figure 1 revealed the bimonthly weight of study animals. It can be noticed that the weight
gain of the animals varied in every observation period. Of the four treatments, it was seen that
T0 (100% CF) was lighter than the rest of the treatment during initial observation. However,
Statistical analysis revealed significant differences during the fourth (4th), fifth (5th) and sixth
(6th) observation though at 5% level only. Table 5.2 All pairs, Tukey HSD showed that
Treatment 3 (45% NTS) emerged highest mean value and significantly different to Control. This
result supports the study of Ngo HuuToan (2003) in which feed intake, and feed conversion ratio
were most reduced in pigs fed fresh taro leaves and stem, better responses were obtained for
pigs’ fed cooked taro leaves and stem, while the best results were obtained for those fed ensiled
taro leaves and stem.

Weight Increment

Figure 2.0 depicted the mean values of gain in weight during the study period. It was
observed that there was a fluctuation on the mean values of the increase in weight among the
treatments. The weight gain of swine was not consistent as days of different period increases.
These differences could probably be due to the health problems encountered by the study of
animals during the second and fourth observation period, where they were suffering from skin

3
infection due to mosquito bites which resulted to skin rushes and aggravated by flies. The
problem was treated with Robepenstrip an antibiotic preparation which had solved the illness,
though the animals vomited and lost their appetite for two or three days. Kouba, M. et al. (2001)
stated that health status and stress level of swine in the starting and growing period, weight gain
will be significantly affected.

However, on the fifth data gathering, there was a significant difference among treatments
at 5% level. Table 13.2 of All Pair Tukey’s HSD test revealed that Treatment 3 (45% Native
Taro Silage) was significantly different to Treatment 0 and Treatment 1.

25

20
Weight (kg)

T0 - Control
15 T1 - 25% NTS

10 T2 - 35% NTS
T3 - 45% NTS
5

0
15 days 30 days 45 days 60 days 75 days 90 days
Interval

Figure 2. Mean weight (kilograms) gain of swine in different sampling periods

Feed Consumption

Figure 3.0 presented the feed consumption of swine during the study period. It was
noticed that the mean values of the different treatment consistently increase in every data
gathering. At the starting period, it was observed that the feed consumed was not that high
compared to their feed consumed during the growing and finishing period. During the thirty (30)
and forty (40) days the swine dramatically lowered their feed consumption due to their health
status, they lost their appetite which contributed to their minimal feed consumption. However, on
the fourth (4th) and fifth (5th) data gathering, there was an increased in their feed consumption
which resulted to a better weight. Moreover, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed
significant differences among treatments. All pairs Tukey’s HSD showed that Treatment 3 (45%
Native Taro Silage) emerged superior among other treatments.

4
 50

Weight (kg) 40
T0 - Control
30
T1 - 25% NTS
20
T2 - 35% NTS
10
T3 - 45% NTS
0
15 days 30 days 45 days 60 days 75 days 90 days
Interval

Figure 3. Mean values of feed consumed of swine

Water Consumption

This was obtained by measuring the water provided to the pigs, the remaining water was
measured also.

Figure 4.0 depicted the water consumption of swine in the whole study period. It was
found out that the mean values varied increasingly and when subjected to statistical analysis
(ANOVA) revealed significant result though at (P ≤ 0.05) level only. Table 20.2 of All Pairs
Tukey’s HSD showed that Treatment 3 (45% Native Taro Silage) was significantly different
over Treatment 0 and Treatment 1. This indicated, that swine treated with Native Taro Silage
(NTS) consumed more water compared to control.

This observation was possibly attributed by the weather condition which coincides to the
findings of Myer, R.O. and Bucklin, R.A. (2002) stating that once temperatures exceed 30°C or
(87°F) and above the normal temperature, the expected water consumption can increase by 50%
above normal consumption rates, and sometimes it doubles as twice as its feed consumed.

5
 140
Water Consumption
120
100
80 T0 - Control
(L)

60 T1 - 25% NTS
40 T2 - 35% NTS
T3 - 45% NTS
20
0
15 days 30 days 45 days 60 days 75 days 90 days
Interval

Figure 4. Mean values of water consumption of swine

Feed Conversion Efficiency

It was computed by dividing the total number of feed consumed per treatment by the total
weight gained per treatment. FCE showed the total number of kilograms of feeds needed to
produce a kilogram of meat, regardless of its dressing percentage.

The illustrative graph of Figure 5 showed the Feed Conversion efficiency in all treatment.
It revealed that as the level of Native Taro Silage (NTS) increases the Feed Conversion
Efficeincy (FCE) decreases which means that there was a positive response of the study animals
treated with Native Taro Silage (NTS) of which Treatment 3 (45% Native Taro Silage) emerged
best.This implied that there was only 1.47 kilograms (kg) of feed ration needed to produce a
kilogram of meat.

1.6 1.58
1.57
Feed Conversion
Efficiency (FCE)

1.55 T0 - Control

1.5 T1 - 25% NTS

1.5
1.47
T2 - 35% NTS
1.45
T3 - 45% NTS

1.4

Figure 5. Mean values of feed conversion efficiency

6
Cost and Return Analysis of Fattening Hogs
Figure 6 below showed the summary of the total cost of production of the study. As
observed, there was indeed a big difference in terms of expenses in Treatment 0 to Treatments
substituted with Native Taro Silage (NTS). The result established the fact that Swine treated with
NTS had lower expenses compared to Treatment 0 (100% commercial feed), considering the
total cost of production per treatment. Tables 38 showed the other expenses and were added to
the result to obtain a sum for the whole period of Php80, 307.36 which was considered as the
total cost of production.

25,000.00
22,401.08
20,422.64
19,282.48
20,000.00 18,201.60 T0 - Control
Expenses (Php)

15,000.00 T1 - 25% NTS

T2 - 35% NTS
10,000.00

T3 - 45% NTS
5,000.00

0.00

Figure 6. Cost and return analysis of the study animals

Gross Income of the study

Figure 7 summarized the gross income of the study of ninety (90) day observation period.
It was observed that as the feeding ration was substituted in an increased level the gross income
per treatment was also increased. Highest gross income was obtained by Treatment 3 (45%
Native Taro Silage) of Php38, 870.00 compared to Treatment 0 (100% Commercial feed) with
gross income of Php37, 260.00. This was computed by multiplying the total weight of all
treatment with the buying price in live-weight bases of Php115.00 per kg. The twelve (12)
experimental animals attained a total gross income of Php150, 880.00.

7
 39,500.00
38,870.00
39,000.00
38,500.00 38,180.00
Gross Income (Php) T0 - Control
38,000.00
37,500.00 37,260.00 T1 - 25% NTS
37,000.00 36,570.00 T2 - 35% NTS
36,500.00
T3 - 45% NTS
36,000.00
35,500.00
35,000.00

Figure 7. Gross income of the study animals

Net Income of the study

The net income was computed by subtracting the gross income with the total cost of
production.

The study obtained a net income of Php70, 571.72. As presented on the figure below, it
was observed that as the level of Treatment increases the net income in each treatment also
increases. It can be concluded that the net income had a positive response on the cost of
production per treatment. Table 36 showed the total expenses per treatment and in Table 37
showed the net income of the study per treatment and it was reflected that Treatment 0 had the
highest expenses compared to other treatment. However, Treatment 3 (45% Native Taro Silage)
obtained the highest net income of Php20, 668.84.

25,000.00
20,668.84
Net Income (Php)

20,000.00 18,897.48
16,147.36
14,858.00 T0 - Control
15,000.00
T1 - 25% NTS
10,000.00 T2 - 35% NTS

5,000.00 T3 - 45% NTS

0.00

Figure 8. Net income of the study

8
Return on Investment of the study

Return on Investment (ROI) is the measure on how much is the rate of return of
investment of the study animals. It was determined by getting the ratio of the net income and the
total cost of production, expressed in percent.

Every treatment had attained various percentage of ROI as reflected in Figure 9 below. It
was observed that there was an increase in the return on investment as the level of substitute
increases. Treatment 3 (45% Native Taro Silage) got the highest ROI of 113.56%, which implied
that in every peso invested it generates a return of 113.56 compared to Treatment 0 (100% CF).

120 113.56
Return on Investment

98
100
79.07 T0 - Control
80 T1 - 25% NTS
66.32
(ROI)

60 T2 - 35% NTS
T3 - 45% NTS
40

20

Figure 9. Return on investment in different treatment

Conclusion and Recommendation

Conclusion

The findings in this study clearly showed that the substitution of Native Taro Silage
(NTS) at different levels showed a significant increase in the growth parameter in terms of
weight gain, feed and water consumption of swine.
It was found out that Treatment 3 (55% commercial feed + 45% Native Taro Silage)
showed a positive response in terms of Feed Conversion Efficiency. Also, the said treatment
obtained the highest Return on Investment (ROI) of 113.56% which meant that the use of Native
Taro Silage was economically feasible.

Recommendation
Based on the result of the study, we highly recommend to substitute a 45% Native Taro
Silage in the total feed diet of hogs during the growing and finishing period because of its
positive response in the growth of swine and of its economic feasibility.

9
 Moreover, it was recommended to conduct another study that will use Native Taro Silage
(NTS) at higher level to find out if the variable will still be significant on the growth
performance of swine. Also, further study was recommended to test the validity of the result and
to evaluate the meat quality.

References

Abdulrashid, M., & Agwunobi, L. N. (2009). Taro cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) meal as feed
ingredient in poultry. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 8(5), 668-673. Retrieved on January
14, 2019 from https://bit.ly/2NTEoYp

Kouba, M., Hermier, D., & Le Dividich, J. (2001). Influence of a high ambient temperature on
lipid metabolism in the growing pig. Journal of Animal Science, 79(1), 81-87. Retrieved
on January 14, 2019 from https://bit.ly/2GcOVaX

Myer, R. O., & Bucklin, R. A. (2002). EFFECT OF SEASON (SUMMER VS. FALL) AND
DIET NUTRIENT DENSITY ON PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS
CHARACTERISTICS OF GROWING–FINISHING SWINE. Transactions of the
ASAE, 45(3), 807. Retrieved on January 14, 2019 from https://bit.ly/30wgrHZ

Toan, N. H., & Preston, T. R. (2007). Evaluation of uncultivated vegetables for pigs kept in
upland households. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 19, 10. Retrieved on
January 14, 2019 from https://bit.ly/2XLuFIb

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