Effects of 100% organic feeding on performance, carcass composition and fat quality of fattening pigs

Summary

In organic pig production, one important aim is to achieve 100% organic feeding. This generates the challenge of achieving adequate protein quality in pig feed. Until 31st December 2021, the protein quality in organic pig feed in Europe was improved by using 5% conventional components, mainly potato protein. To investigate the effects of 100% organic feeding on growth performance, meat and fat quality in pigs, a total of 700 fattening pigs were studied in an on-farm feeding trial. The 95% organic diet fed on each farm served as the control diet (CON) and a 100% organic diet with higher proportions of soybean cake and grain legumes was used as the experimental diet (ORG). ORG-fed animals had slightly lower daily weight gains, lower carcass weight, and significantly higher iodine and PUFA values in the backfat. The feeding trial showed that the 100% organic diet led to a slightly deficient dietary amino acid profile and thus to slightly lower performance in a few traits. However, the implementation of consistent 100% organic feeding was considered valuable for organic farming even with the lower performance and change in meat and fat quality of the organic pigs.