Composition Much of the nutritional value of lupin seed to the pig is contained in the kernel - see Table 1 . Lupin kernel meal can be prepared from whole lupin seed by processing through a riddle mill. This removes and separates the testa or hull from the kernel. The testa is poor food for the pig, because it is mostly composed of cellulose, but it is readily used by cattle and sheep. It costs money to remove the seed testa, and there is also a25 per cent loss in weight from whole seek to kernel.
Lupin seed has a high fibre content relative to other pig food ingredients.
Besides being poorly digested, fibre also creates bulk, which might limit the ability of weaners and growers to satisfy their daily food requirements. In practice this has not been a problem, but caution is satisfied by limiting lupin seed to 10 per cent of weaner diets and 25 percent of grower diets. Older pigs can easily cope with all levels up to 50 per cent of the diet. Mineral content Diets based on lupin seed, wheat and barley are deficient in calcium and phosphorus if a supplementary source is not supplied. The simplest approach is to include enough meatmeal to satisfy the calcium and phosphorus needs.