Maximising the cost effectiveness of ractopamine

APL does not condemn or condone the use of ractopamine. The decision to use ractopamine is ultimately a commercial decision for the producer and will be dependent on the markets they supply their pigs into. Some markets both domestically and internationally do not allow use of ractopamine.

Paylean (ractopamine) is known to improve protein deposition and improve the meatiness of carcasses. A clearer definition of the optimal commercial application of Paylean in finishing pigs needs to be determined. 

Value for producers:

• Adding Paylean to a high energy base finisher pig diet can increase carcass weight and improve feed conversion efficiency in finisher pigs, improving the economic gains pig producers can obtain from the market.
• The increase in carcass weight gain offsets the cost of the additive; under ‘normal’ circumstances, producers could obtain between a $5.10 to $6.85 per pig profit or a 7 to 9c per kg carcase profit.

Recommendations:

• The optimal dose of Paylean may be between 5ppm and 7.5ppm in a high energy base finisher diet.
• The greatest carcase weight improvement is found after 3 to 4 weeks of exposure, despite a spike in growth rate during the first week of application. The response to Paylean can be variable due to health or other interfering factors.