Effects of a new sweetener, Stevia, on performance of newly weaned pigs

TitleEffects of a new sweetener, Stevia, on performance of newly weaned pigs
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2000
AuthorsMunro, P. J., Lirette A., Anderson D. M., & Ju H. Y.
JournalCanadian Journal of Animal Science
Volume80
Number3
Pagination529-531
KeywordsFeed additives, feed intake, Flavour compounds, pig feeding, pigs, sweeteners, Weaning
Abstract

A total of 209 purebred Yorkshire newly weaned piglets were used to determine the effect of the sweetener Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) at 83.3, 167 or 334 mg kg-1 diet on feed consumption (FC), average daily gain (ADG) and feed to gain ratio (F/G) compared with treatments with 5% sucrose and no sweetener (control; C). The Stevia-containing diets did not appear to have detrimental effects on the FC and F/G ratios of the piglets when compared with C. The results indicated only a limited potential for Stevia as a feed additive for piglets.