The objective of this work was to economically evaluate the use of the qualitative feed restriction for castrated male pigs during finishing phase by performance and carcass characteristics of 60 animals. Ten pigs were slaughtered at the beginning of experimental phase (89.0 ± 4.2 kg) and other pigs fed rations with levels of qualitative nutritional restriction (0.0, 5.0, 10.0, 15.0 and 20.0%), obtained by inclusion of finely ground rice hulls, until the end of the experiment (127.8 ± 2.9 kg). Feeding cost was calculated during the experimental period (R$feed) and gross income of each carcass of pigs slaughtered at 128.0 kg (GIpig128kg) was estimated at the beginning of experiment (GImean_pig89kg). From these three data, it was calculated the net income (NI) of the use of experimental diets (NI = GIpig128kg - GImean_pig89kg - R$feed). The monthly variation of the corn, soybean meal and pig prices were also analyzed and corn price was determined as the greatest impact factor over the profitability of qualitative feed restriction. The prediction equation of probability of the linear increase of net income by the use of qualitative restriction was determined in function of the corn prices - CP (P-valueNI = 0.392 - 0.625CP, R² = 0.73). Significant effect was observed for corn prices over four times the rice hulls cost. Thus, the viability of the use of qualitative restriction, up to 20% level, depends on the economic scenery and especially on corn price, the principal ingredient replaced in rations when the qualitative restriction is used, and its relation with the cost of residual product utilized to provide energetic dilution.
carcass quality; cost; economy; finishing phase; gross income
