Kansas State University researchers partnered with Kansas Wheat to update what is known about the nutritional value of wheat and wheat co-products when used to feed pigs. The findings are positive for both swine growers and wheat producers.

Joel DeRouchey, a swine specialist for K-State Research and Extension, said wheat’s mean energy content is 99% of corn for digestible energy and 98% for metabolizable energy. This means wheat can be used at a similar rate as corn.

Vice President of Research and Operations for Kansas Wheat Aaron Harries said wheat milling co-products provide good nutritional value. They have high phosphorus content, which results in less supplemental phosphorus in the diet.

Findings include:

  • Wheat contains higher crude protein and amino acid levels than other cereal grains.
  • Wheat’s standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids is similar to corn but greater than barley and sorghum
  • The phosphorus content of wheat is 0.27% and has very high digestible phosphorus because it contains intrinsic phytase
  • Pelleted wheat diets have been found to have a significantly greater pellet durability index, as much as 33.1%, compared to corn-based diets.

Read more about using wheat to feed swine here.