Contact/s:
Elena Bortolazzo
e.bortolazzo@crpa.it
Andrea Bertolini
a.bertolini@crpa.it
Optimization of Protein Content in Italian Heavy Pigs Diets through Correct Amino Acids Balance and Reduction of Imported Proteins
Italy
Italy - continental area
1. Italian heavy pigs
2. Diets
3. Protein reduction
Thematic Areas
Production System/s
Summary for Practicioners on the Main Finding(s)/Innovative solution(s)
Italian heavy pigs are typically raised to higher slaughter weights and ages than other European pig production systems (approximately 160–170 kg and over nine months of age). They are primarily raised for high-quality Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) products, such as Parma Ham and San Daniele Ham.
Targeted dietary management is a non-structural Best Available Technique (BAT) designed to reduce environmental impacts while maintaining livestock performance. Better matching dietary protein and essential amino acids to pigs’ nutritional requirements can reduce nitrogen excretion and potentially lower emissions associated with manure storage and field application.
Reducing the crude protein content of Italian heavy-pig diets by up to 30%
, while balancing essential amino acids through supplementation with nutrients such as lysine, can improve nitrogen-use efficiency. Previous research by the Emilia-Romagna Operational Groups “Riscossa” and “Battaia” investigated this approach, including its effects on animal performance and the quality of PDO cured products.
Furthermore, this feeding strategy offers opportunities to partially or fully replace certain conventional feed ingredients, such as maize and soybean meal, with alternatives including barley and sorghum, combined with appropriate amino-acid supplementation. Depending on ingredient origin and cultivation conditions, these substitutions may also reduce irrigation water requirements associated with feed production.
Building on the results of the Emilia-Romagna Operational Groups “Riscossa” and “Battaia”, this feeding strategy was subsequently implemented on Italian heavy-pig farms participating in Climate Farm Demo.
Additional Information
The optimisation of protein content in the formulation of diets for heavy pigs needs the integration of essential amino acids to maintain breeding efficiency. This can be done also by reducing or without mais or without soybean meal:
- feeds are supplemented with synthetic amino acids to maintain a proper balance among essential ones;
- levels of lysine and other essential amino acids are not reduced;
- The ratio between essential amino acids and total protein is kept under control.
Improving nitrogen efficiency through the implementation of feeding measures such as the one described before can provide an advantage not only for controlling atmospheric emissions, but also for documenting a reduction in the area required for spreading compared to using the standard data provided for drafting the Manure Spreading Plan.