Effect of growth promoters on productive and economic performance in pig farming

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of growth promoters on productive performance and economic returns in pig rearing. Methodology: The study was conducted at the agricultural farm of the Eloy Alfaro parish, Chone (Ecuador), using 15 weaned and castrated pigs, 40 days old, with an initial average body weight of 11.6 kg, from a Landrace ×Belgian Pietrain cross. Animals were assigned to a completely randomized design with three treatments and five replicates: control (T1), supplemented with Boldenone Undecylenate (UDB, T2), and supplemented with Somatotropin (STP, T3). Body weight was recorded at 40, 55, 70, 85, 100, 115, and 130 days of age, along with total feed intake. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's test (p<0.05). Results: At 130 days of age, pigs supplemented with UDB (T2) achieved the highest average weight (102.75 kg), followed by STP (94.30 kg) and thecontrol group. A similar trend was observed in feed intake (T2: 172.12 kg; T3: 160.16 kg). Economic analysis showed higher net gains with T2 ($121.87; 17.14% profitability over the control) and T3 ($108.20; 4.00%). Conclusion: The use of growth promoters, particularly UDB, improved productive performance and economic profitability in pig rearing, representing a viable alternative under the evaluated conditions.