An experiment was conducted to determine lysine requirements of barrows, during the late-finishing phase, to evaluate the effects of lysine levels on performance and carcass characteristics of animals. Fifty hybrid pigs (AG-PIC 412 X C-22), averaging 95.39 ± .85 kg initial weight and 122.29 ± 3.02 kg final weight were used in a completely randomized block design with five dietary treatments ranging from .50 to .90% of total lysine (.10% increments), five replicates and two animals per experimental unit. Initial body weight and relationship coefficient were used to establish the blocks. Quadratic effect of lysine level on average daily gain, feed conversion, daily lysine intake and daily lean gain was observed. There was no effect of treatments on daily feed intake, P1 backfat thickness, P2 backfat thickness, loin depth, lean percentage, carcass yield, carcass length, carcass length Brazilian method, 10th rib fat depth, last rib fat depth and ham percentage. Based on these results, it was concluded that the total dietary lysine requirement for barrows with high genetic potential for lean gain, from 95 to 122 kg, is 0.72% total lysine, which corresponds to approximately 25.46 g/day of lysine intake.
carcass; late finishing; lysine; performance; requirements; swine
