Effect of rye ergot on growth and N-retention in growing pigs

An experiment with five litter-mate barrows showed that severe reduction in feed intake and growth rate accompanied the inclusion of either 1.0 or 2.0% ergot in the ration. Levels of 0.10 and 0.05% ergot allowed moderate feed intake and weight gain but not equal to the pig fed the ergot-free ration. A subsequent experiment involving five lots of four litter-mate barrows each, indicated the possibility of reduced feed intake and growth performance by growing-finishing pigs fed rations containing 0.05 - 0.10% ergot. This was substantiated by a N-balance experiment in which control pigs retained 1.54 gm more N daily than pigs fed 0.10% ergot. The total alkaloid content of the ergot used in these experiments was 0.292%; the predominant alkaloid (71%) being ergocristine.