Metabolizable Energy, Standardized Ileal Digestible Amino Acids, Standardized Total Tract Digestible Phosphorus, and Replacement Value of Full-Fat Almonds for Pigs

This work aimed to determine the energy values and digestibility of amino acids (AA) in full-fat almonds, to estimate phosphorus (P) digestibility in full-fat almonds, and to calculate the replacement value of full-fat almonds in pig diets. In experiment 1, the digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) of full-fat almonds were determined using six barrows (34.5 ± 2.0 kg) housed in individual metabolism cages. A basal diet containing corn, soybean meal, and soybean oil was used, and the almond diet was formulated by replacing the energy sources in the basal diet with full-fat almonds at 10%. In experiment 2, AA digestibility was determined using six barrows (28.9 ± 1.0 kg) fitted with a T-cannula in the distal ileum. A cornstarch-based diet containing full-fat almonds as the sole AA source was used. The DE and ME of full-fat almonds were 4370 and 4320 kcal/kg (standard error = 276 and 300). The standardized ileal digestibility values of Lys, Met, Thr, and Trp in full-fat almonds were 95.2%, 61.6%, 69.4%, and 101.3% (standard error = 9.2 to 10.7). The standardized total tract digestibility of P in full-fat almonds was estimated to be 69.3% (standard error = 4.5). When full-fat almonds (0.400 USD/kg) were included at 5% in pig diets, feed cost decreased by 0.005 USD/kg. In conclusion, an Excel spreadsheet based on measured energy and nutrient concentrations in full-fat almonds enables the estimation of feed cost changes according to ingredient prices and full-fat almond inclusion rates.