The MLC-coordinated Finishing Pigs Systems Research (FPSR) programme addresses industry and Government policy requirements through a multidisciplinary approach that investigates several priorities including the potential for improving production efficiency of pigs through liquid feeding. Research activity is centred at the Meat and Livestock Commission’s Stotfold Pig Development Unit and uses the purpose built Finishing Systems Research Unit. Two housing systems, fully slatted versus straw-based, will be evaluated over four production trials designed to investigate different aspects of liquid feeding technology. This paper is based on the results of the first production trial, which compared dry and liquid feeding in a fully slatted or straw-based housing system. The objective of the current study was to determine the effect of offering the same diet in the form of either dry pellets or liquid feed, on the growth performance, carcase quality and meat eating quality of pigs growing/finishing pigs.