Sử dụng hiệu quả khẩu phần nguồn thức ăn địa phương cho giống lợn bản địa moo lath, CHDCND lào

HUE UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY

BOUNLERTH SIVILAI

THE UTILIZATION OF DIETARY LOCAL FEED
RESOURCES FOR MOO LATH PIG IN LAOS

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN AGRICULTURE

HUE, 2019
HUE UNIVERSITY


UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY

BOUNLERTH SIVILAI

THE UTILIZATION OF DIETARY LOCAL FEED
RESOURCES FOR MOO LATH PIG IN LAOS

SPECIALIZATION:

ANIMAL SCIENCE

CODE:

9620105

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN AGRICULTURE

SUPERVISORS: 1. ASSOC.PROF.DR. NGUYEN QUANG LINH
2. ASSOC.PROF. DR. DU THANH HANG

HUE - 2019

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DECLARATION
I declared that this thesis is my original research works. It is a scientific research
which overall data presented in this thesis are contributed truly and righteously. The
research works was done under the guidance of Professors in Hue University and
collaborative professional researchers. All acceptation is evidently indicated to the best of
immense knowledge that they have been published in Journal of Livestock Research for
Rural Development (LRRD).
Hue, April 2019

Bounlerth SIVILAI

3


ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This thesis describes research on the improving and utilization of forage- based
diets for Moo Lath pigs in Laos, I wish to thank Mekong Basin Animal Research
Network (Sida/MEKARN II) project and University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue
University for financial support of experiments and the course works in Vietnam.
This thesis based on the efforts of many people. In the first place, I would like to
thank all those persons who contributed to obtaining the data and the texts of the various
chapters. Without their help this thesis would never been written. Especially, I would like

to express my sincere thanks to Professor Nguyen Quang Linh, Professor Thomas Reg
Preston, who always open the gates to scientific research. I am also grateful for their
supervision and guidance of my research. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to
Professor Du Thanh Hang, who supervised the data analysis. It would be nice to thank for
all of lecturers and researchers in Hue with hospitality while my staying in Hue city. I am
grateful to Dr. Lampheuy Kaensombath and professor R.A. Leng for their contributions
and helping.
My sincere thanks also goes to Dr. Kieu Borin, regional coordinator of the
Sida/MEKARN II project for any support and make the PhD program possible and Dr.
Chive Phiny for the budgets for travelling and allowances. Dr. Vanthong Phengvichit and
Dr. Daovy Kongmanila the country coordinators for providing the immense suggestion on
study condition and financial report as well as accountants in National Agriculture and
Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) for arrangement research funds conveniently. Also
thank my colleagues, friends and teachers in Department of Livestock and Fishery,
Faculty of Agriculture (FAG), National University of Laos for their kindly supports. My
lovely students and their friends whom helped in field works with forage collecting,
experiments and sample preparing analysis.
Last but not least, I would like to thank my family for all their kind regards,
encouragement and love. Most of appreciation to my wife Linh Thamavong for her
patience, effort working hard and taking care for our family during my studying. Special
thank to my mother for her support, loving and devotion to my three children during
studying time. Great thanks to my sister Boakeo Phaisilai and her husband, my younger

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sister Boasone Sivilai and my uncles’ family for their help in looking my mother,
supporting me spiritually throughout studying, writing thesis and my life in generally.

ABSTRACT

The research was objected to investigate the effect of ensiled taro foliage
combined with banana pseudo stem as basal diets, using by-product of rice distillers or
brewers’ grains, and biochar as feed additive supplemented in the diet of native Moo Lath
Lao pig. Four experiments were conducted to comprising on the thesis.
The first experiment (Chapter 2): Four pigs were used in the experiment with 30
kg ± 2.63 kg LW. An experiment was arranged in a 4*4 Latin Square Design with diet
levels of ensiled banana pseudo stem of 0, 5, 10 and 15% replacing ensiled taro foliage
and soybean meal. Apparent digestibility of DM and CP, daily N retention and biological
value (BV), all declined linearly as ensiled banana-pseudo stem replaced ensiled taro
foliage. It is appeared that the BV of the protein in the ensiled taro foliage was superior to
combination of ensiled banana pseudo stem and soybean meal.
In the second experiment (Chapter 3): A small amount of either rice distillers’ byproduct (RDB) and brewers’ grain (BG) were added in the ensiled forage-based diet. Six
female native Moo Lath pigs (29.3 ± 2.3 kg LW), fed a basal diet of ensiled banana
pseudo-stem, ensiled Taro foliage and broken rice were allocated to a 3*3 double Latin
Square Design. Three treatments were BG 4%, RDB 4% or no supplement (CTL). Both
supplements improved feed intake, digestibility and N retention, with indications of
greater responses in N retention and in the biological value of the protein for the rice
distillers’ by-product. It is suggested that the beneficial effect of both supplements may
have been due to the presence of β-glucan, a component of the cell wall of both cereal
grains and yeasts, that is shown to have immunological, health-benefiting effects in
animal.
In the third experiment (Chapter 4): The supplements would bring similar benefits
during the stage of pregnancy and lactation in Moo Lath gilts. Twelve native Moo Lath
pig gilts (80.8 ± 3.9 kg LW) were used in the experiment. Three dietary treatments in a
completely randomized design with 4 replications were: CTL: No supplement; RDB 4%
or BG 4% in diet DM basis. The pig gilts gained more body weight during gestation, and
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were heavier at the end of lactation, when their diet was supplemented with 4% BG or

4% RDB. The litter sizes from dams supplemented with 4% RDB were heavier at birth,
and at weaning, and grew faster than litters from un-supplemented gilts. Supplementation
of BG4% or RDB 4% appeared to have no effect on piglet mortality at birth or during
lactation, nor on live weights of piglets at birth or weaning, and did not affect overall feed
DM intake. However, DM feed conversion was improved by 60% when the Moo Lath
gilts were supplemented with 4% RDB.
In the fourth experiment (Chapter 5): The study was to evaluate the effect of
biochar compare with rice distillers’ by-product fed a forage diet on growing pigs. Twenty
native Moo Lath pigs (15.8 ± 1.3 kg LW) were housed in individual concrete pens. There
were four dietary treatments arranged as a completely randomized design. The treatments
(% in diet DM) were: no additive (CTL), 4% rice distillers’ by-product (RDB), 1%
biochar (BIO) and the combination of RDB and BIO (RDB+BIO). The growth rate
tended to be better (p=0.089) and feed conversion was improved (p=0.048) for both
additives, fed separately or together, when compared with the control diet. There were no
benefits from combining both additives compared with feeding each one separately.
Keywords: Local forage, prebiotic, additive feed, indigenous pig, biological
value, growing, pregnancy-lactation, piglets

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DEDICATION

To my family with my respectful gratitude: Parents, my wife (with daughter and son),
older and younger sisters
ແດດ່ຄອບຄຄົວທທດ່ແສນເຄຄົາລຄົບຮຮກຂອງຂຂອຍ: ພພດ່ແມດ່, ພຮນລະຍາ (ພຂອມດຂວຍລລູກສາວ ແລະ
ລລູກຊາຍ),
ເອອຂອຍ ແລະ ນຂອງສາວ

TABLE OF CONTENTS

7


8


LIST OF TABLES

LIST OF FIGURES

9


LIST OF ABBRIVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS
AA

Amino acid

ADF

Acid detergent fiber

ADG

Average daily gain

BG

Brewers’ grains

BR

Broken rice

CF

Crude fiber

CP

Crude Protein

CV

Covariance

DE

Digestible energy

DLF

Department of Livestock and Fishery

DM

Dry Matter

EAA

Essential Amino Acid

EE

Ether Extract

FW

Final Weight

GDP

Gross domestic production

GE

Gross energy

HCN

Hydrogen Cyanide

LPHC

Lao Population and Housing Census

LSB

Lao Statistic Bureau

MAF

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

ME

Metabolizable energy

N

Nitrogen

NDF

Neutral detergent fiber

NRC

National Research Council

OM

Organic Matter

P

Phosphorus

RDB

Rice distillers’ by-product

SD

Standard deviation

T

ton

UNDP

United Nations Development Programme

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INTRODUCTION
1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Livestock production plays a significant role as source of food and of cash income
for smallholder farmers in rural areas in Laos. There were 3.7 million pigs in Laos (DLF,
2017). Most of the pig mainly production in Laos is produced under traditional conditions
with approximately 75% in rural smallholder pig farms (Souriyasack, 2011). The typical
smallholder pig farm relies on a scavenging system for forages and left-over food with
little or no supplementation. Supplementary energy-rich feeds are rice bran, broken rice,
maize and cassava root, but usually the price makes them out of reach of poor farmers.
The only sources of protein that farmers can afford are green plant material and natural
vegetables. These feed resources are not available in all seasons and are imbalanced
nutritionally, with lack of protein being the major issue. The classical sources of protein

used in pig production such as fish meal and soybean meal are almost exclusively
imported and out of reach of smallholder farmers. The results are low productivity (Stür
et al., 2010) with growth rates often less than 100 g/day (Phengsavanh et al., 2010). This
means a production cycle of 1.5 to 2 years to reach market weight of 60 to 70 kg
(Phengsavanh and Stür, 2006). The reproductive performance of sows is marked by
depressed litter size, a high mortality of piglet and outbreaks of disease.
The only options so far available to most smallholder farmers are to make better
use of the locally available feed resources and/or to introduce protein-rich plants that are
easy to grow such as the perennial leguminous forage Stylosantheses guiensis
(Phengsavanh and Stür, 2006). For these reasons the two feed resources chosen for this
research were banana pseudo stem (Musa spp) as source of energy and the Taro plant
(Colocasia esculenta) as the source of protein.
Banana pseudo stems (BPS) from the banana tree are distributed in Laos, as
bananas are widely grown for production of fruit for family consumption and sale. The
total harvest area of banana trees in Laos was estimated to be 28,600 ha, with yields of 42
tonnes of fruit/ha (MAF, 2017). The stem of the banana trees is referred to as a “pseudo
stem” as it appears to be held erected by water, not by lignified fiber as in most trees.
After the fruit is harvested this pseudo-stem is either left to rot on the ground or is

11


occasionally harvested, chopped into small pieces and fed to pigs, ducks and chickens
(Tien et al., 2013).
Banana pseudo stem has 8.5% lignin in DM, more than twice that in rice straw
(4.5%). However, a more detailed analysis using Light Microscopy, Scanning Electron
Microscopy (SEM) and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) revealed major
differences in anatomical characteristics, with the fiber in banana pseudo stem presenting
a tubular structure which would facilitate the movement of water within the stem (Li et
al., 2010). It is not known if such a structure is what facilitates the process of chopping

the stem with a knife as is done traditionally, usually by women. But it would explain the
high content of water in the stem of about 94%, the major nutritional constraint to banana
pseudo stem would appear to be the low level of protein about 3-4% in DM (Floulkes et
al.,1978). However, an unusual finding was reported presence of 3% of soluble sugars in
the liquid fraction which means that almost half of the reported 6% of DM in the banana
pseudo stem is present as soluble sugars (Dao Thi My Tien et al., 2010). These have not
been identified but the fact that the pseudo stem ensiles readily the pH falling from 4.5 to
3 within 5 days, confirms that they are readily fermentable (Dao Thi My Tien et al.,
2010).
Taro foliage (Colocasia esculenta) as the source of protein, as taro was found in
natural habitats where water is stored, near river banks, streams and ponds in Laos. It was
reported that the planted area was 11,335 ha with average root yield of 10.7 tonnes/ha
(MAF, 2017). In the study reported by Kaensombath and Frankow-Lindberg (2012) the
forage biomass yield at root harvest was 1,483 kg/ha of DM, provide 260 g/kg of protein;
the tuber DM yield was 2,732 kg/ha.
Taro leaves are rich in protein (about 20% in DM) with a balance of essential
amino acid close to that in an “ideal” protein (Rodríguez et al., 2006). The petioles are
rich in sugars which facilitate ensiling the combined leaves and petioles to give a feed
with 14-15% CP in the DM (Malavanh et al., 2008; Giang et al., 2010; Hai et al., 2013).
Many experiments have demonstrated that ensiled taro foliage can be fed as a source of
protein for pigs (Toan and Preston, 2010; Chittavong et al., 2012; Kaensombath and
Lindberg, 2012; Hang et al., 2015). The limitation to the use of taro foliage in diets for
pigs is the presence of oxalates which form crystalline insoluble salts that cause irritation

12


in the mouth of pigs when the foliage is consumed fresh. However, this problem can be
resolved by ensiling the taro before feeding (Hang et al., 2011).
Probiotics and prebiotics, as legislation to forbid use of antibiotics as growth

promoters is increasingly being enforced so as to prevent development of resistant strains
of organisms that are pathogenic to humans. The two approaches to safeguarding animal
health and/or improving productivity are to replace antibiotics with either beneficial
microorganisms (probiotics) such as Lactobacilli and yeasts that enhance the normal
microbial flora in the animals’ digestive system or with additives (prebiotics) that provide
habitat for microbial communities in the form of support structures for biofilms, or
specific nutrients that support the proliferation of beneficial micro-organisms. In the
former category Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus spp. have been effective
organisms in binding a wide range of mycotoxins (Gallo et al., 2015). In the latter
category are compounds such as β-glucan that are present in the walls of cereals such as
barley and rice, and of yeasts. These appear to be released in natural processes such as
occur in the alcoholic fermentation of barley and rice and subsequent distillation to give
beer and rice wine.
The byproducts from these processes such as brewers’ spent grains’ and rice
distiller soluble (“Hem” in Vietnam, “Khi Lao” in Laos and “Bar Rao” in Cambodia) fed
at low levels in the diet (4 to 5% as DM) were shown to protect cattle (Phanthavong et al.,
2016; Sengsouly and Preston 2016; Binh et al., 2017) and goats (Binh et al., 2018) from
HCN toxicity caused by cyanogenic glucosides present in foliage of “bitter” varieties of
cassava.
Biochar, the by-product from the carbonization of fibrous residues at high
temperatures of 500-1000 °C was originally identified as an ameliorating agent in soils
and as a vehicle for sequestering atmospheric carbon (Lehmann, 2007) with associated
beneficial effects on crop and plant growth (Lehman and Joseph, 2015; Preston, 2015). In
pigs and chickens, it has been shown to be effective as an agent to facilitate the
degradation of phytotoxins and mycotoxins (Gallo et al., 2015; Prasai et al. 2017), as well
as providing habitat that enhances activities of microbial communities (Leng, 2017).

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2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
2.1. Aims of the thesis
The aims of present research was to investigate the utilization of local feed resources
as forage-based diets and supplementation of grains’ fermentation by-products as additive
feed to develop feed and feeding practical management with improving growth
performance for native Moo Lath pigs in rural smallholder farms of Laos.
2.2. Objectives of the thesis
The objectives of the research was to determine a local available forage of banana
pseudo stem and taro foliage as basal diet and grain by-products as supplement feeds on
growth performance and reproduction of native Moo Lath pig in smallholder of Laos. The
specific objectives in each chapter was stated as bellows:
1) Paper 1 (Chapter 2): To determine the effect of replacing ensiled taro foliage with
ensiled banana pseudo stem in different proportion on feed intake, nutrient
digestibility and nitrogen retention for native Moo Lath pigs in Laos
2) Paper 2 (Chapter 3): To investigate the effect of a low concentration of rice
distillers’ by-product or brewers’ grains on digestibility and nitrogen retention in
native Moo Lath pigs fed ensiled taro foliage and ensiled banana pseudo-stem as
forage-based diets
3) Paper 3 (Chapter 4): To continuously test with a low concentration of rice
distillers’ by-product or brewers’ grains when they were similar affected on
growth rate and feed conversion during pregnancy and lactation of native Moo
Lath gilts and their progeny fed ensiled taro foliage and ensiled banana pseudostem as forage-based diets
4) Paper 4 (Chapter 5): To evaluate the effect of rice distillers’ by-product and
biochar as additives to a forage-based diet on growing and feed conversion of
native Moo Lath pigs in Laos
3. HYPOTHESES OF THE RESEARCH
The researches were hypothesis that ensiled taro foliage combined with banana
pseudo stem could be used as forage-based diet and rice distillers’ by-product or brewers’
grains in term of the biochar could be potential source of local prebiotic/probiotic to be
improve the growth performance and better support for reproductive performance during

pregnancy-lactation and progeny of native Moo Lath pig gilts in Laos.

14


1) Paper 1 (Chapter 2): Ensiled taro foliage as protein sources combined with ensiled
banana pseudo stem will be contributed suitable inclusive in the diet supporting
for digestibility and biological value and could be included as foliage based-diet
improving growth performance for native Moo Lath pigs
2) Paper 2 (Chapter 3): Small amounts (4% of diet DM) of either brewers' grains or
rice distillers' by-product (Khilao) supplemented in foliage based diets would
support increased growth rate in local Moo Lath pigs.
3) Paper 3 (Chapter 4): Small amounts (4% of diet DM) of either brewers' grains or
rice distillers' by-product supplements would bring similar benefits during the
pregnancy-lactation and progeny of native Moo Lath pig gilts
4) Paper 4 (Chapter 5): Supplementation of biochar in a forage-based diet would be
affected on growth performance and feed conversion of native Moo Lath pigs and
to compare it with rice distillers’ by-product already shown to be effective as a
prebiotic in diets of Moo Lath pigs
4. INNOVATION CONTRIBUTED OF THE DISSERTATION
The innovation of this dissertation is the use of low concentrations (4% of diet
DM) of agro-industrial by-products such as brewers’ grains, rice distillers’ residues and
addition of biochar (1% of diet DM) as additives feed that appear to act as “prebiotics”,
enhancing the growth and feed conversion of indigenous Moo Lath pigs fed on local feed
resource of ensiled foliage of Taro (Colocasia esculenta) and banana pseudo-stem (Musa
spp). Rice distillers’ residue (Khilao) is a by-product of artisanal rice wine production
widely available in rural areas of countries in SE Asia. Biochar is the residue after
carbonization of rice husks in gasifier stoves used in rural households to produce gas for
cooking. The carbon in biochar is in close association with phenolic compounds making
it resistant to microbial oxidation, thus when recycled to soil in animal excreta, it will act

as a mechanism for sequestering atmospheric carbon.

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15


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/>
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CHAPTER 1
LITERATURE REVIEW
1.1. PIG PRODUCTION IN SMALLHOLDER OF LAOS
1.1.1. The role of pig production
The Lao PDR is tropical country and located in Southeast Asia. The territory is
situated in the Indochina peninsula, land covered 236,800 square kilometres, with human
population about 6.7 million peoples, and a density of 27 persons per square kilometres
for whole country (LPHC, 2015). Laos had a total gross domestic production (GDP) of
2,408 US$ per capita with GDP growth rate 7.02% (LSB, 2016). Around 67.1% of
population are living in rural area and 72% are engaged in agriculture farming system
(LPHC, 2015), with contributed 17.23% of GDP, and from livestock are accounted
2.17% (LSB, 2016).
Livestock are the most important components in the Lao PDR with sales of
livestock accounting for more than 50% of cash income in many upland and highland
area (Knips, 2004). Pig production is a common activity to support livelihood in
smallholders, most farm household in the region holding at least a few pigs. However,
smallholder farms are practice accounted for 86.5% of total pig production in 2017
(MAF, 2017). Around 64% of pig rising is for home consumption especially in cultural
events, accumulation capital and less generated cash income (Stür et al., 2002).
1.1.2. Pig population and consumption
There are total number of pigs of 3.7 million heads in whole country, with local
pigs are accounted of 3.2 million pigs (DLF, 2017) and approximately of 25% is derived

from commercial farms, with remaining of 75% is arisen in smallholder farmers
(Souriyasack, 2011). However, pig products are imported from outside of the country
around 30% by 2017, particularly from Thailand (DLF, 2017). Pig production being trend
to increase surrounding the year from 2013-2016, but declined in 2017 (figure 1.1).

Figure 1.1. Number of pigs in Laos from 2013-2017; Sources: MAF (2010-2017)
Pig meats are most popular consumed by Lao people, as providing beneficial
economy for farmers particularly for pig farming sector and smallholder rural pig
production. Pigs are numerous supplying demand of meat product for consumers around
20


58% which compared to other livestock species (MAF, 2017). Meat required to consume
for Lao people is 57 kg/capita, with pork are 14.6 kg in 2017 and need to be consume
around of 65 kg/capita (pork is around 16.8 kg/capita) by 2020 (MAF, 2017)
Table 1.1. Number of livestock products and meat consumption in 2017
No. of animal
Amount of meat
Meat consumed
No. Livestock
slaughter house
consumption
(as % between
(head)
(Kg)
species)
12
1
Buffalo
52,361

19,992,382
16
2 Cattle
90,442
27,455,607
58
3
Pig
880,121
100,585,257
1
4
Goat/Sheep
53,567
2,295,729
6
5 Poultry
6,864,314
10,296,471
7
6 Eggs
60,688,663
12,776,561
100
Total
173,402,006
Sources: MAF (2017)
1.2. CURRENTLY TYPICAL PIG FARMING IN LAOS
Pig rearing system in Laos can be clarified into three main categories such as
smallholder pig production (small scale), semi-intensive (medium scale) and commercial

scale (large scale) farming, which similarly in southeast Asian country (Huynh et al.,
2014).
1.2.1. Smallholder pig farming
In Laos PDR, smallholder pig farms are importance for livelihood activity of rural
people, supplying meat as food security for household which provided protein meat for
consumers and generate cash income for pig keepers (Blacksell et al., 2006;
Phengsavanh, 2006; Stür et al., 2002). In the production stage, housing and nutrition
management are poor condition that factor affect to growth rate, as low at 100 g/day in
smallholder condition (Phengsavanh et al., 2010). In the studying by use stylo leave fed
to native pigs increased a growth rate upto 154-230 g/day (Keoboualapheth et al., 2003).
Similar observed a growth rate of 155-193 g/day when fed cassava leaf silage
supplemented in diets (Xaypha et al., 2007). However, supplement of soybean meal and
ensiled taro in diet has better growth rate 340 to 400 g/day (Chittavong, 2012), as
similarly that pig fed a more balanced diet they can growth up reach to 500 g/day
(Keonouchanh et al., 2008). The productivities of gilts/sows are low with piglet mortality
is reported in high up to 30-50% (Phengsavanh and Stür, 2006; Phengsavanh et al., 2010;
Phengvilaysouk et al., 2017). The nutritional deficiencies may arise despite feeding with
21


local feeds are imbalanced (Chittavong et al., 2012), no any health care caused of disease
infection (Kagira et al., 2010).
The feed resources are agricultural by-products such as rice bran, corn, cassava,
rice distillers’ waste, edible grass and household scraps (Vongthilath and Blacksell, 1999),
banana stem, taro and yams (Stür et al., 2002; Phengsavanh et al., 2010). Together with
distiller’s waste and household scraps are provided for pigs in villages level (Osbjer,
2006). In this system, pig farmers are poor addition feeds feeding to pigs, with no
protected from disease (no any vaccination, deworming and treated), with poor nutrients
in diet composition which factor affected on the growth performance and health.
Therefore, to overcome local pig productivities the approach to development of feeding

system and possibility use the local available feed resources (Kumaresan et al., 2007).
The Moo Lath pigs are more commonly kept by smallholder pig farmers, it is
characterized by a low body weight, a low growth rate and high capacity for fat deposit
(Phengsavanh et al., 2011). There are four different native breeds distributed in different
region of Laos that smallholder scale pig household holding in the area such as Moo chid,
Moo Lath, Moo Hmong and Moo Deng, which preliminarily described the phenotype
characteristic condition and reproductive performance properties (Keonouchanh et al.,
2008; Vongthilath and Blacksell, 1999).
Table 1.2. Classification of phenotype characteristics and reproductive performance of native
pigs distributed in smallholder farm conditions in Lao PDR
Characteristics
Physical characteristic, cm
Length
Height
Circumference
Body weight, Kg
At 1st oestrus
Mature female
Mature male
Reproductive performance
Age at 1st oestrus, months
No. Sow litter size/year
No. piglet/litter size
Age at weaning, months
Aver. Weight at weaning, Kg
Phenotypes characteristic#
Size, ear type and face term

Native pig breeds/types in Laos
Moo Lath

Moo Hmong

Moo Chid

Moo Deng

75-92
46-54
72-85

85-100
51-70
84-102

100-105
55-76
115-130

88-120
60-70
84-116

21-30
42-48
18-30

39
47-61
30-50

30-40
65-85
60-80

65-90
-

6
1.5
7-8
3
7.8

6
1.5-1.8
7-8
2-3
9.5

5-6
1.5-1.8
7-10
2-3
8

6-7
1.5-1.8
7-10
2-3
8.5

Small body size,

Small, short

Larger ears

Large

small ear, short

and directed

and directed

hanging

and directed

ear, Straight

forward, Short

ears, bent

22


face,

and bent

face

Black coat, while

black coat, leg

face.
Mostly

Brown

spot at legs or

and front of

black coa

colour,

head
Scattered in all

face are white
North and

Northern area2

Southern

Coat colour

Distribution mostly

region of Laos
Lowland
Sources: Keonouchanh et al. (2008), # data adapted from Oosterwijk et al. (2003)
1

1

area3

Moo Lath distributed mostly in northern province (Phongsaly, Louangprabang, Oudomxay, Xaysomboun

and Vietiane province), some lowland provinces (Borikhamsay, Saravane and Savannakhet provinces);
Moo Hmong mostly kept in some province: Xienkhouang (Nonghad district);

3

2

Moo Deng arisen only in

southern of Laos particularly in Champasack (Mounlapamok and Khongdistricts), well-adopted and
crossbreed

Figure 1.2. Lao name - Moo Chid Figure 1.3. Lao name - Moo Lath
(Moo Markadon or Moo Boua)

Figure 1.4. Lao name
Nonghad or Moo Hmong

-

Moo Figure 1.5. Lao name - Moo Deng or Moo
Berk

Sources: Keonouchanh et al (2008); Sivilai et al (2018)
In Cambodia, small scale pig farms raised 2 to 4 pigs that fattened during 8 to 12
months to reach marketable weight, fed a low quality of feed and low output, with uncontrol disease has been reported similarly (Borin, 2006). In the Philipines, small scale
pig raising are higher than in Cambodia and Laos, as less than 10 heads to the slaughter
house (Villar et al., 2002). In Vietnam, small-scale pig production accounts for 80% of
the total production, farmers keep 1 to 2 sows and less than 10 fatteners, and produce
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piglets, finished fatteners or both production (Lemke, 2008). However, small scale farm is
definite in Laos and Cambodia have less than 5 pigs in the household and higher number
of pigs raised in Philippines and Vietnam has less than 20 heads (Jones, 2002; La et al.,
2002). In the reviews by Steinfeld (1998) revealed that nearly 70% of all pigs in the Laos,
Vietnam, Cambodia and Philippines are raised in small-scale farms at household units. In
Laos, small scale pig production are sub-definite in three different category systems such
as free-scavenging, semi-scavenging and year-round confinement system (Phengsavanh
et al., 2011).

1.2.1.1. The free-scavenging pig
Pigs were allowed to scavenge freely for feed all the year round and small number
of pigs was raised 2 to 4 sows plus piglets. In most villages, pigs were kept in simple

shelters, but in some villages, pigs simply stayed under dwellings, under rice storage
sheds or under trees. Around 39% of households raised pigs in free scavenging systems.
1.2.1.2. The semi-scavenging
Pig commonly kept in smallholder situation near population area, which farmers
raised pigs likely to perform a small family business system. Farmers used native pigs
combine with improved breeds 3 to 4 heads per households generally in the village with
penned and are given improved feeds and accounts for 3% of all Lao pig production in
this system (Vongthilath and Blacksell, 1999).
1.2.1.3. The year-round confinement
Pig is performed in accessible areas that close to the district center. This system
likely to produced semi-intensive pig production, because of farmers used largely
numbers of exotic pig in a farm scale and fed concentrate feed that mixed with local basal
diets. The confinement systems are also provided regular vaccination and de-worming,
with production is both piglets and growers but accounts for 1% in all Lao pig production
(Vongthilath and Blacksell, 1999).
Smallholder pig production in Lao PDR is traditional practice by using native pig
breeds, as a low input and also low output for farm households and associated generally
the responsibility by women in all regions of Laos (ADB, 2001). The advantage of native
pig breeds are known to have better adaptive capacities to local climatic conditions such

24


as high temperatures and high humidity (UNDP, 2012). It is perceived to subsist well that
rely on scavenging for nutrition, hardy, resistant to disease and achieve early sexual
maturity (Phengsavanh & Stür, 2006). However, the potential growth rate of native pigs is
markedly higher than reported by researchers, is a native pig (Moo Lath) could grow up
to 500 to 560 g/day based on the nutrient quality in pig diet (Keonouchanh et al., 2011;
Phengsavanh & Stür, 2006). This indicates that low growth rates among native breeds are
probably due to feed restriction rather than genetic potential.

1.2.2. Semi-intensive pig production
Semi-intensive pig farming is definite as small family business farming system by
raise pig including indigenous pig and cross breed pig. This pig production primarily
based on market price for feed and products that can be also definite relatively high level
of inputs is required, housing material, feeds, veterinary products and labour. Pig
production is often the sole as a major source of income and farmers require management
skills as well as financial capacities. Vongthilath and Blacksell (1999) perceived that
generally, pig farmers are raised minimum of 3 to 6 heads including indigenous and
improved breeds. In this system, pig farming quite invested and economic benefits, due to
farmers may involve the purchase of weaner pigs for fattening to sale, the farmers using
commercial feed that relatively high cost (Stür et al., 2002). The pig keeping usually
improved breeds such as Large White or Landrace and crossbreeds, with fed branches,
leaves, crop residues, agricultural by-products or prepared feed because raise pigs for
subsistence and commercial reasons, health management by vaccination and treatment
(Wilson, 2007). In around the city of Cambodia, a medium pig farm keeps 10-50 pigs and
they can be a mix of production categories such as sows, piglets, and fatteners which
comprising of feeds are homemade or commercial feed and operated to own rice mill and
brewers rice wine (Borin, 2006).
However, Huynh et al. (2014) reported that semi-intensive (medium scale pig
production) in Laos, Cambodia, Philippines and Vietnam are produced 15% of total pig
production and normally they kept pigs between 10 to 500 heads for fatteners and 5 to
100 heads for sows depending on the countries. Small feed-mixing facility, house a husk
milling are contributed in some region. Pigs are kept in pens, with given commercial feed
and vaccinations and biosecurity measures are applied with extreme caution (Villar et al.,
2002; Steinfeld et al., 2006).

25