Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The purpose of this literature study was to examine what kind of composition fermented liquid
feed can have, what a desired composition is and possible advantages and disadvantages on
health and growth performance of the pig. A well fermented liquid feed is characterized by a low
pH (<4,5), a high content of lactic acid bacteria (109 cfu/g feed) and yeast (106 cfu/g feed), a high
concentration of lactic acid (150 mmol/l feed) and as low counts of enterobacteria as possible.
Good hygienic quality, palatability and nutritive value of the feed are of great importance.
However, to achieve this is not simple and the results vary. Factors like the amount of feed left in
the tank, the amount of time that the feed is left to ferment, the temperature of the feed, possible
additives like a starter culture or an acid and different feedstuffs influence the fermentation
process and the final product. The effects on the nutritional composition of the feed seem to be
mostly positive in spite of the risk of impaired palatability. The influence on growth performance
and health appear to be dependent on the hygienic quality of the feed but no clear-cut improving
results have been reported. Although, some results implies that newly weaned pigs fed a well
fermented liquid feed show improved growth performance and health which might depend on the
probiotic traits of the feed.