The effect of partial substitution of corn by sorghum on the diets of hybrid female pigs during puberty and pregnancy was evaluated. Twenty-five females were distributed in three treatments with increasing percentage of grain sorghum - 0%, 25% and 50% - as a partial substitute for corn. The females were evaluated during the growth, puberty and pregnancy phases, measuring live weight (LW) and age at puberty in young females and LW and backfat thickness (BT) during gestation - at mating, 30, 60, 90 and 110 days of pregnancy. During the growth period, daily gain decreased with increased use of sorghum and there was no effect of treatments on puberty. For pregnancy, there was a linear effect on LW at day 90. Thus, it was concluded that grain sorghum can replace corn up to 50% on the diet of female pigs during puberty, pregnancy and lactation without compromising the productivity and reproductive variables.
alternative feed; female pigs; reproduction; swine
