Mineral profiling of local pig-feeds and pigs reared under resource driven production system to reduce porcine mineral deficiency in subtropical hill ecosystem of Northeastern India

Abstract

The present study assessed the mineral status of pigs fed with local feed resources. The commonly used plants for feeding pigs and blood serum samples from Hampshire, Large White Yorkshire and indigenous pigs were analyzed for total protein, albumin and cholesterol levels. Processed plant and serum samples were also analyzed for calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, copper, cobalt, manganese, iron and zinc. The incidence and extent of mineral deficiency in pigs was quantified. No significant difference was observed in total protein and albumin levels between any two breed/types of pigs, however the Indigenous pigs showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher cholesterol level compared to other two breeds. Among different plants, Spilanthus sp had majority of macro and micro nutrients in high levels. Regarding incidence of mineral deficiency in pigs, it was observed that 90, 67.1, 61.4, 48.6, 95.7% of the pigs were deficient in calcium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium and potassium. An interesting finding was that all the pigs (100%) utilized in the study were deficient in zinc. From this study, it was inferred that there are good numbers of potential source of mineral that might be used more economically to improve the mineral availability to pigs.

Mineral composition and toxic element levels of muscle, liver and kidney of intensive (Swedish Landrace) and extensive (Mangulica) pigs from Serbia

“…For that reason, the production of free-range reared pigs, fed on natural feeds without growth promoters and antibiotics, is significantly increasing (Cava et al, 2003). In these extensive production systems, most of the animal feeds are locally produced, and animals' exposure to minerals directly depended to the environmental state in the area (Kumaresan et al, 2009). Extensive production in Serbia is largely focused on the breeding of one of the last local pig breeds, the Mangulica pig (Petrovic et al, 2010).…”

Seasonal variation of hemato-biochemical parameters in indigenous pig: Zovawk of Mizoram

“…Recently, Zovawk pigs had been reported to have normally higher content of hemoglobin (Hb) and total erythrocyte count (TEC) [ 8 ] like other indigenous pigs [ 9 , 10 ] and some wild and captive pigs [ 11 , 12 ] which were higher than those reported in other exotic and crossbred pigs [ 10 , 13 - 15 ]. The content of plasma Na in Zovawk was found to be higher [ 16 ] as compared to that of other indigenous, exotic and crossbred pigs [ 13 , 15 , 17 ]. There is however no literature available to explain the seasonal changes in hematology or blood biochemical profile of pigs domesticated in Mizoram and more particularly the Zovawk pigs of Mizoram.…”

Current status and development prospects of India’s pig industry

“…The numbers of such farms are still low in most parts of the country, but emergence of private farms is inevitable for consolidation of pig farming. Larger farms are considered more resilient to transient costs and to price issues (Kumaresan et al 2008b). Currently, the private farms are mostly concentrated on such locations, which have proximity to lean-pork markets and/or closer to the major cereal crop production areas.…”