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Abstract
One hundred forty - four finishing pigs were evaluated using real-time ultrasound and selected into fat and lean pens based on 10 th rib backfat (fat difference > 0.5 cm). All pigs received a basal corn and soybean meal diet containing 18% crude protein and 1.1% lysine and half of the pens received Paylean supplementation of 10 ppm. Pigs were assignment to a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement with two backfat classes (lean and fat) and two levels of Paylean supplementation (0 and 10ppm). Paylean improved finishing performance by improving feed efficiency and decreasing feed intake but had no affect on average daily gain. Paylean supplementation improved quality and carcass composition. Fatty acid composition and iodine value between ractopamine supplemented and control pigs were similar to those observed in lean versus fat pigs. Thus, Paylean was effective in improving live performance and lean growth while fat and belly quality was not diminished.