bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
316 Awardee Talk: Development and Assessment of Predictive Models for Improved Swine Farming
Authors: HanBayer Junjie
Published: October 2023

Prediction of outcomes is critical in swine breeding and management. This necessitates the development of predictive models that address challenges in swine farming. For predictive modeling, there have been significant advances in machine learning. Nevertheless, there are needs to adapt predictive models for specific swine farming problems including genomic prediction and behavior analysis. Furthermore, there is not yet a clear guideline on how to validate novel models in these fields. The overarching goal of this work was to validate a collection of predictive models for improved swine farming with applications to precision management, phenotyping, and breeding. The first study addressed the pig genomic prediction problem. Differential evolution algorithm was utilized to optimize hyperparameters of deep learning (DL) models, which affected the predictive performance of DL. Performance of optimized DL was compared with “best practice” DL architectures selected from literature and baseline DL models with randomly specified hyperparameters. Optimized models showed clear improvement. Despite the success of genomic prediction, phenotyping has become a bottleneck in breeding programs as it is still time-consuming and labor-intensive. The second study aimed at collecting a video dataset to study agonistic behavior of pigs and adapting a state-of-the-art DL pipeline to classify agonistic behaviors of pigs through video analysis. The pipeline was validated through various training-validation data partitions, where the training data were used for model development and the validation data were used for model evaluation. Results showed that splitting the training and validation sets at random led to over-optimistic estimates of model performance. Social behavior continues to be an important topic in animal behavior studies. However, less attention was paid to the modeling of animal social behavior. The last study focused on developing and validating a statistical model for the analysis of social interactions of pigs. Generalized linear mixed models were fitted, and a Bayesian framework was used for parameter estimation and posterior predictive model checking. The predictive performance of the models varied depending on the validation strategy, where three strategies were defined: random cross-validation, block-by-social-group cross-validation, and block-by-focal-animals validation. Collectively, the research items presented how state-of-the-art predictive models can be adapted for and validated in swine farming applications. The findings are also informative to livestock farming in general, as genomic prediction and animal social behavior (of group-housed animals) are popular topics in livestock species.
176 Functional Annotation of the Equine Genome: from Sample Collection to Fair Data
Authors: Petersen Jessica L , Barber Alexa , Finno Carrie J , Bellone Rebecca R , Peng Sichong , Kingsley Nicole B , Capelletti Eleonora , Piras Francesca M , Giulotto Elena , Kalbfleisch Ted
Published: October 2023

The equine Functional Annotation of Animal Genomes (FAANG) project has worked over the past 6 years to generate publicly available transcriptomic and epigenetic data. From biobanks of carefully phenotyped and preserved samples of four Thoroughbred horses (2 mares and 2 stallions), annotation assays are complete on a set of “prioritized” tissues. Study of four histone modification marks revealed hundreds of thousands of previously unidentified regulatory regions across the genome, providing for information on individual tissues and between sexes. ATAC-seq was used to identify open chromatin on nine tissues of each sex elucidating over 300,000 open chromatin regions. Open chromatin regions, many tissue-specific, were enriched in transcription start and stop sites, exons, and promoters of genes. In addition to regulatory regions, long-read transcriptome sequencing has helped to elucidate a wealth of new isoforms within and among tissues that have greatly improved the annotation of the coding genome. The horse also represents a unique model to study centromere function. ChIP-seq studies identified repressive histone marks and a lack of transcription near the satellite-less centromere of chromosome 11, the position of which varies among individuals but not among tissues within an individual. Not only have key genomic features been identified, but the team has developed an Equine Genome Portal. This portal allows anyone to access raw and derived data and utilize data without having to download the entire dataset or recreate analyses. This community effort continues to supplement the current genome annotation while making all data available to enrich the potential of equine and evolutionary research.
175 Building the Tools to Solve the Genome to Phenome Puzzle in Agriculture
Authors: Tuggle Christopher K , Scott Nicole , Clarke Jennifer , Murdoch Brenda M , Dekkers Jack C M , Ertl David , Lawrence-Dill Carolyn J , Lyons Eric , Schnable Patrick S
Published: October 2023

The USDA-NIFA is developing a vision for agricultural genomics to phenomics research (AG2P) through two programs. In 2017, the Functional Annotation of Animal Genomes (FAANG) request for proposals was released, which has provided over $9 Million in funding to groups over the past five years to create public resources for the study of regulatory and other functional elements in agriculturally important species. This effort has been extended by other countries who have contributed another $20 Million+ (equivalent). These initial resource-building efforts are providing extensive new epigenetic data that are used to better understand the function of animal genomes and to enhance animal genetic improvement. However, such research demonstrates new infrastructure is needed across the agricultural enterprise to predict phenotypes from genome information. In 2020, NIFA inaugurated the Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative program (AG2PI), and an important objective of this presentation is to encourage strong participation of animal genomic researchers and industry in the AG2PI project. The purpose of AG2PI is to assemble and prepare a community to conduct AG2P research across the plant and animal kingdoms. The focus of the AG2PI is: a) identifying research gaps and opportunities, b) fostering community solutions to these challenges, and c) rapidly disseminating findings. Training workshops, field days, conferences, community surveys, and seed grants have all contributed to these goals. Opinions and ideas from the crop, livestock and aquaculture genetics communities are key to advancing G2P science and related work. The AG2PI uses online community surveys and in-person conferences to gather these and to facilitate transdisciplinary communications. In September 2022, AG2PI held a conference entitled “Thinking Big: Visualizing the Future of AG2PI”, in which attendees focused small group discussions to identify which agricultural G2P-related topics are most critical for future R&D funding and which may be the most difficult to achieve. These discussions have been summarized in a concept paper for the community and shared with USDA-NIFA. A follow-up conference is planned for June 2023 in Kansas City, which we hope many members from animal genetics research and industry will attend. The future of agricultural genomics will be shaped by both the participants in AG2PI and the solutions developed by the AG2PI community. USDA NIFA awards 2022-70412-38454, 2021-70412-35233, and 2020-70412-32615.
61 The Effects of Frame Score, Breed, and Day Relative to Estrus on Dry Matter Intake and Feeding Behaviors of Crossbred Beef Heifers
Authors: Hansen Lydia E , Underdahl Sarah R , Bhowmik Nayan , Dahlen Carl R , Ringwall Kris A , Vonnahme Kimberly A , Swanson Kendall C , Hanna Lauren L Hulsman
Published: October 2023

The objective was to determine if changes in DMI, time spent eating (TIME), and number of meals per day (MEALS) within interactions of frame score group (FSG) or primary ancestral breed type (PAB) with day relative to estrus (DRE) exist. We hypothesized that different FSG or PAB responses would vary between d -3 to d +3 surrounding estrus (d 0). Over four years, 295 crossbred heifers (347.03 ± 47.39 kg) were monitored. Using calculated frame score, heifers were classified as FSG small (< 4.00), moderately small (4.00 to 5.50), moderately large (5.50 to 6.50), and large (> 6.50). Admixture analysis classified heifers into five PAB (greatest proportion; Angus and Red Angus, American Aberdeen, Shorthorn, Simmental, and crossbred). Estrus was detected using visual checks [patches or chin ball markers, bull present (BP), year 1, n = 87] or heat detection devices (BP or absent, year 2 to 4, n = 208). The last 45 d of the feeding trial had BP. Conception date was estimated using ultrasound fetal size captured at pregnancy checks. Heifers were fed a forage-based diet using the Insentec feeding system. Software errors were removed; then estrus and feeding data were paired based on calendar date. A 7-d range was kept for each heifer using estrus categories (EC) of: 1) last without a BP (n = 195), 2) first with a BP (n = 285), and 3) at estimated conception date (n = 247). The statistical model included fixed effects of year, PAB, FSG, DRE, interactions of FSG x DRE (n = 28) and PAB x DRE (n = 42), and fixed covariate of calendar date. Repeated measures were modeled with unstructured covariance structure and heifer as experimental unit. Square root transformation for TIME and MEALS was used due to normality concerns. Across EC, no interactions for DMI were found (P ≥ 0.5529). For TIME, differences existed within FSG x DRE (P = 0.0375; EC-3) suggesting large heifers responded differently than others. All EC showed DMI (P ≤ 0.0083) and TIME (P ≤ 0.0373) declined on d 0, with less reduction observed when BP (DMI, TIME: 1) -17.09%, -21.56%; 2) -9.01%, -15.02%; 3) -9.21%, -13.45%). A recovery surge occurred on d +1 (> 15%). For MEALS, PAB x DRE (P ≤ 0.0495; EC-1,2) and FSG x DRE (P ≤ 0.0494; EC-2,3) were different. A similar trend as DMI and TIME in response to estrus was observed in small heifers but no other FSG. Size did influence MEALS (P ≤ 0.0024), where smaller heifers ate more MEALS than larger heifers. Results indicate differences in TIME and MEALS likely exist between small and large heifers in response to estrus, but all respond similarly in DMI.
65 Associations Between Resilience to Weaning Stress and Startle Response in Nursery-Age Gilts
Authors: Lee Bora , Luttman Andrea M , Ernst Catherine W , Raney Nancy E , Steibel Juan P , Siegford Janice M
Published: October 2023

Resilience is the capacity of animals to return quickly to their pre-stress status following a disturbance, including social, physical, and/or disease challenges. Understanding impact of individual resilience on behavior is key to improving the performance and welfare of farm animals. The goal of the study was to assess whether behavioral response to an auditory stimulus during a startle test (acute stress) differed between pigs designated as stress-resilient (SR) or stress-vulnerable (SV). Blood samples were collected from female piglets (n = 170) from 26 litters on the day before weaning, the day of weaning, and four days after weaning. Using serum cortisol concentrations from these samples, female pigs (n = 52) were classified as either SR (n = 26) or SV (n = 26) and used for the startle test. The startle test was conducted when pigs were 6 weeks-of age while they were housed in the nursery room. Video recordings were made with ceiling-mounted cameras from 1.5h before the test to 1.5h after the test. Videos were decoded to determine the relaxed-tense score of the pigs (RT; 1: relaxed, 3: tense; scored 10 min before testing began to describe the underlying mood of the pig), orientation to stimulus (OS; direction pigs were facing when air horn sounded), and startle magnitude score (SM; 0: no response, 4: remained frozen >1min). A mixed-effects ordinal logistic regression model was fit for SM including fixed effects of stress group (resilience designation (SR/SV), OS, RT, and pen position (distance from the air horn) and random effect of pen composition (social group). SM was affected by RT (P = 0.02), with pigs that had the greatest levels of underlying tension expressing less response to the stimulus. Pen position also impacted the SM (P < 0.01), with pigs in pens closer to the air horn displaying a stronger startle response than those housed further away. However, SR/SV designation and OS had no influence on SM. Pigs that are already tense may not be responsive to changes in their surroundings, in this case showing little response to a startling noise. Pigs closer to a startling stimulus are likely to perceive it as more threatening than pigs further away from the potential danger. Our data suggest no relationship between intensity of behavioral response to an auditory startle test and resilience or vulnerability to weaning stress. Behavioral and physiological responses to acute stress are influenced by a number of confounding factors inherent in individual animal variability, including the personalities and experiences of the pigs. However, the startle test could be a relatively easy way to assess fearfulness of pigs on farm, as it requires no training of pigs and can be conducted in the home pen, but further methodological improvement is required to enable instantaneous data collection.
58 Effects of Pellet Quality on Growth Performances of Pigs When Fed Diets During Varying Weight Ranges
Authors: Badger Patrick , Otott Haley , Paulk Chad B , Stark Charles R , Donnelly Adam
Published: October 2023

The objective of these experiments was to determine if the importance of pellet quality was dependent on pig weight ranges. Therefore, a total of 350 grow-finish pigs (line 600 × 241; DNA) were used in 3 separate experiments. Each experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design. Pigs were weighed before the onset of each experiment and split into 7 blocks based on average body weight, resulting in 7 replications per treatment. For Exp. 1, 2, and 3, pigs were fed treatments for 20 days from 43 to 68 kg, 21 days from 81 to 107 kg, and 20 days from 118 to 144 kg, respectively. Pelleted diets for Exp. 1, 2, and 3 were steam conditioned at approximately 83, 77, and 67°C, respectively and subsequently pelleted with a 30-horsepower pellet mill (1012-2 HD Master Model, California Pellet Mill, Crawfordsville, IN). For Exp. 1 and 2 diets were pelleted with a 4.8 × 31.8 mm (L:D 6.7) die while a 4.8 × 57.2 mm (L:D 12) die was used for Exp. 3. Treatments consisted of a mash diet and pellets with fines inclusion rates of 9-16, 41-47, 60-68, and 84-91%. For Exp.1, pigs fed pellets with 12.5% fines had improved (P < 0.05) G:F when compared with those fed the mash diet. Pig ADFI increased (linear, P = 0.006) as percent fines at the feeder increased. Pig G:F decreased (linear, P = 0.002) as percent fines increased at the feeder. For Exp. 2, pigs fed pellets with 15.5% fines had improved (P < 0.05) G:F compared with those fed the mash diet. Pig ADFI increased (linear, P = 0.016) when fed pellets with increasing percent fines at the feeder. Pig G:F decreased (linear, P = < 0.001) as fines percentage increased at the feeder. For Exp. 3, pigs fed pellets with 9.6 and 41.8% fines had increased (P < 0.05) G:F when compared with those fed mash diets. Pig G:F decreased (linear, P = 0.005) as pellet fines percentage increased at the feeder. In conclusion, feeding pigs 12.5, 15.5, and 9.6% fines in Exp. 1, 2, and 3 improved G:F by 3.9, 5.4, and 9.1%, respectively, compared with pigs fed mashed diets. Increasing the percent fines from 12.5 to 90.4%, 15.5 to 86.0%, and 9.6 to 83.6% reduced G:F of pigs by 5.7, 7.7, and 5.6% for Exp. 1, 2, and 3, respectively.
45 Determining the Phosphorus Release Curve for Smizyme TS G5 2,500 Phytase from 500 to 2,500 FTU/kg in Nursery Pig Diets
Authors: Gaffield Katelyn , Williams Hadley , Becker Larissa L , Woodworth Jason C , DeRouchey Joel M , Tokach Mike D , Goodband Robert D , Gebhardt Jordan T , Faser Jill M
Published: October 2023

A total of 320 pigs (Line 241 × 600, DNA, Columbus, NE; initially 11.9 ± 0.22 kg) were used in a 21-day growth study to determine the available P (aP) release curve for Smizyme TS G5 2,500 (Barentz, Woodbury, MN). At approximately 19 d of age, pigs were weaned, randomly allotted to pens, and fed common starter diets for 18 d. Pigs were then blocked by average pen body weight (BW) and randomly allotted to 1 of 8 dietary treatments with 5 pigs per pen and 8 pens per treatment. Dietary treatments were derived from a single basal diet and ingredients including phytase, monocalcium P, limestone, and sand were added to create the treatment diets. Treatments included 3 diets containing increasing inorganic P from monocalcium P (0.11, 0.19, and 0.27% dietary aP), or 5 diets with increasing phytase (500, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000, or 2,500 FTU/kg) added to the diet containing 0.11% aP. All diets were corn-soybean meal-canola meal-based and were formulated to contain 1.24% SID Lys, 0.30% phytate P, and an analyzed Ca:P ratio of 1.10:1. At the conclusion of the study, 1 pig closest to the mean BW of each pen was euthanized and the right fibula, 10th rib, and metacarpal were collected to determine bone ash, density, and total bone P. For bone ash, bones were processed using the non-defatted method. Residual bone ash was digested using nitric acid and P measured using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. For the overall experimental period, pigs fed increasing inorganic P had increased (quadratic, P ≤ 0.053) ADG, ADFI, G:F and final BW (Table 1). Pigs fed increasing phytase had increased (quadratic, P ≤ 0.004) ADG, G:F, and final BW and increased (linear, P = 0.019) ADFI. For fibula, rib, and metacarpal characteristics, pigs fed increasing aP from inorganic P had increased (linear, P < 0.001) bone ash weight, bone ash percentage, bone density, and bone P. Additionally, pigs fed increasing phytase had increased (P < 0.05) bone ash weight, bone ash percentage, bone density, and bone P in either a linear or quadratic manner depending upon bone. The aP release curve developed for Smizyme TS G5 2,500 for percentage bone ash using combined data generated from all three bones is: aP = (0.219 × FTU/kg) ÷ (993.238 + FTU/kg).
42 Concentrations of Digestible and Metabolizable Energy, Ileal Digestibility of Amino Acids, and Digestibility of Phosphorus in a New Variety of Soybeans Fed to Growing Pigs
Authors: Cristobal Minoy A , Parsons Carl M M , Stein Hans H
Published: October 2023

The objective was to test the hypothesis that digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME), standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA), and standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of P in soybean meal produced from a new variety of soybeans (Photoseed) are not different from conventional soybean meal (SBM-CV). In Exp. 1, thirty pigs (18.3 ± 1.3 kg) were randomly allotted to a corn diet or 2 diets containing corn and Photoseed or corn and SBM-CV. Pigs were housed in metabolism crates and feces and urine were collected for 4 days after 5 days of adaptation. Feces and urine were analyzed for gross energy and DE and ME were calculated for each ingredient. The statistical model included ingredient as fixed effect and replicate as random effect and pig was the experimental unit. Results indicated that DE and ME of Photoseed were not different from DE and ME in SBM-CV (Table 1). In Exp. 2, nine barrows (30.0 ± 1.5 kg) with a T-cannula in the distal ileum were allotted to a triplicated 3 × 3 Latin Square design with 3 diets and 3 periods in each square. An N-free diet and diets containing SBM-CV or Photoseed were used. Pigs were housed individually in fully slatted pens and ileal digesta were collected on d 6 and 7 of each period. Digesta samples were lyophilized, ground, and analyzed for AA, and SID of AA was calculated. The statistical model included diet as fixed effect and square, period, and pig as random effects, and pig was the experimental unit. Results indicated that the SID of Arg, Ile, and Lys were not different between the two ingredients (Table 2), but the SID of other indispensable AA were greater (P < 0.05) in SBM-CV than in Photoseed. In Exp. 3, forty-eight barrows (12.0 ± 1.6 kg) were allotted to 6 diets with 8 pigs per diet. The SBM-CV or Photoseed were included in diets with 3 levels of microbial phytase (0, 500, or 1,000 units/kg). Pigs were housed in metabolism crates and feces were collected quantitatively for 4 days after 5 days of adaptation. Fecal samples were dried and analyzed for P and the STTD of P was calculated. The statistical model included ingredient, phytase, and the interaction between ingredient and phytase as fixed effects and replicate as the random effect. The pig was the experimental unit. Results indicated that inclusion of phytase in the diets increased (P < 0.05) the STTD of P, but STTD of P in Photoseed was not different from the STTD in SBM-CV (Table 3). In conclusion, no differences in DE and ME, STTD of P, and SID of some indispensable AA between Photoseed and SBM-CV were observed.
269 Bioenergetic Consequences of Pre- and Post-Natal Heat Stress on Swine Productivity
Authors: Johnson Jay S
Published: October 2023

Heat stress decreases the sustainability and profitability of global swine production and the reductive effects of pre- and post-natal heat stress on pig productivity have been well described. Decreased growth performance and sow milk production during heat stress exposure is generally attributed to reduced energy consumption and a corresponding catabolic state. Moreover, an assumed increase in maintenance costs due to energetic requirements for thermoregulation and greater chemical reaction rates is proposed to reduce energy available for growth and lactogenesis leading to decreased efficiency and productivity. Despite this, recent research has determined that postnatal heat stress can directly impact nutrient partitioning priorities and growth rate independent of energy intake, maintenance costs may be reduced in heat stressed pigs relative to thermoneutral controls, and that heat stress may have a direct negative effect on sow milk production and litter growth performance independent of sow energy intake. In addition to the postnatal consequences of heat stress, prenatal heat stress reduces postnatal growth rate and feed efficiency in pigs independent of the postnatal environment, increases fasting heat production during the growing phase, and alters nutrient partitioning priorities during the finishing phase leading to an increase in adipose tissue accretion at the expense of lean accretion. Furthermore, meat quality and quantity may be negatively impacted by prenatal heat stress exposure. In summary, both pre- and postnatal heat stress exposure elicit bioenergetic changes in pigs that influence postnatal productivity, and mitigating heat stress is and will likely continue to be a priority for the swine industry.
4 Is the Microbiome the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything
Authors: Callaway Todd , Lourenco Jeferson M
Published: October 2023

The microbial population of the gastrointestinal tract has been studied extensively for many years. The symbiotic relationship between the host animal and the native microbes has been relatively well characterized, given the technical limitations. Next Generation Sequencing techniques have proliferated and have become affordable for researchers, companies, and even individual producers. This reduction of barriers to utilization of NGS techniques has introduced many incorrect conclusions based on population estimates that do not include the estimates of microbial biochemical activities, and ecological niches. As a result, there are many descriptions of products that will make the microbiome “good” for all production situations and diets. Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet that makes a microbiome a universally “good” microbiome. This presentation will discuss how developments in understanding the microbial of the gut has expanded our view of the gut microbial ecology, and how it can be used to improve our understanding of the impacts of the microbiome on animal performance and health. Discussions of how microbiome analyses have been used and misused will be included. Being able to detect small changes in the microbial population of the gut is critical and can elucidate methods to improve animal productivity and protein food production sustainability. This presentation will also discuss challenges facing the animal industry as precision agriculture becomes increasingly important to animal nutrition and sustainability.
108 Effects of Yeast Carbohydrates Fed to Lactating Sows on Sow and Offspring Performance
Authors: Shipman Garrin , Palencia Jorge Perez , Patterson Rob , Levesque Crystal L
Published: October 2023

The objective of this study was to determine the optimal inclusion level of a yeast carbohydrate (YC) product in sow diets based on sow and suckling piglet performance. Forty-nine sows and gilts (Parity 0 to 5; 217 ± 30 kg) were randomly assigned to one of three YC supplementation levels (0%, 0.1%, and 0.2% of diet) in late gestation beginning at d 105 and lactation. Yeast carbohydrate was top-dressed using corn as a carrier to achieve daily active ingredient intake of 3 and 6 g/d in gestation (0.1 and 0.2% YC, respectively) and 7 and 15 g/d in lactation (0.1 and 0.2% YC, respectively) at the 0730 and 0800 h feed time in gestation and lactation, respectively. Variables measured included: sow body weight (BW), backfat (BF), feed intake (ADFI), litter characteristics at birth, piglet BW, piglet weight distribution at birth and weaning, and serum, colostrum, and milk immune status. Sows supplemented with 0.2% YC had 0.95 less stillborn pigs compared with control and 0.1% YC treatment groups (P = 0.04). Total born, born alive, and farrowing duration did not differ among treatment groups. The 0.2%YC treated sows weaned 1.04 more pigs (P = 0.09) than control and 0.1%YC groups. Colostral immunocrit ratio tended to be greater in 0.2%YC sows compared with control sows (P = 0.09; 0.66 vs 0.48 in 0.2%YC and control, respectively). Control litters had 14.9% greater proportion of light weight pigs at birth (< 1.20 kg) and both YC groups had 12.4% greater proportion of average weight pigs (1.20 to 1.65 kg; P < 0.01). Pig BW at weaning (5.96 vs 5.77 vs 5.61 kg in control, 0.1 and 0.2%, respectively) and overall ADG (0.24 vs 0.22 vs 0.22 kg/d in control, 0.1 and 0.2%, respectively) were greater in control group (P ≥ 0.05). The 0.2% YC group had a 3.7% and 10.4% greater frequency (χ2 < 0.01) of weaning light weight (< 5.00 kg) and average weight (5.00 to 6.40 kg) pigs, respectively. The YC groups both had greater frequency of pigs that fell into lighter BW categories between birth to weaning (2.9 vs 27.3 vs 25.9% in control, 0.1% and 0.2%, respectively; χ2 < 0.01). There was a 15.6% ldecreased pre-weaning mortality of light born pigs in 0.2% YC group compared with control and 0.1% YC groups (χ2 = 0.03). Suckling pigs from sows in the 0.2% YC group had a greater (P = 0.03) concentration of serum IgA at weaning (23.47 vs 23.83 vs 31.63 μg/mL in control, 0.1, and 0.2%, respectively). In conclusion, 0.2% YC supplementation in sow diet benefited both sow and litter performance with the capacity to wean more light born pigs as well as a greater colostral immunocrit ratio and offspring IgA concentrations at weaning.
115 Sow Supplementation with Vitamin C Enhances Pig Throughput
Authors: Knauer Mark , Bergstrom Jon R , Hough Sara D
Published: October 2023

The objective was to evaluate the impact of vitamin C supplementation, during the transition phase, on sow reproduction and subsequent offspring performance. Landrace × Large White composite sows (n = 58), mated to Smithfield Premium Genetics Duroc boars, were housed at the NCDA Tidewater Research Station. Parity 1 and parity 2 sows were randomly assigned to one of three vitamin C (STAY-C35) levels (0, 250, or 500 mg/kg of diet). Diets were fed from day 107 of gestation through day 7 of lactation. A common lactation diet was then fed from day 8 of lactation until weaning. Sows were fed 2.27 kg per day pre-farrow and ad libitum after farrowing. Cross-fostering was minimized and performed within dietary treatment. Sow body condition was assessed on day 107 of gestation and at weaning (day 23 of lactation) using the Knauer sow body condition caliper. After weaning and 5 weeks in a nursery, offspring were transferred to a naturally ventilated, totally slatted grow-finish facility and housed at 0.62 m2 per pig. Offspring were individually reweighed at 124 days of age (88 ± 5.0 kg). All statistical models contained fixed effects of dietary vitamin C level and sow parity. Total number born was included as a covariate for average piglet birth weight (BWT), stillborn percentage, BWT CV, piglet survival [number weaned ÷ (number born alive + stillborns)], number of littermates at 124 days of age, average daily gain (ADG) from birth to 124 days and pig survival from birth to 124 days [number weighed ÷ (number born alive + stillborns)]. Weaning age and number weaned were included as covariates for average piglet weaning weight (WWT) and WWT CV. Sow and litter was the experimental unit. Results (LSMEANS) are shown in Table 1. Percentage of stillborn piglets did not differ (P > 0.05) between dietary treatments. Sows fed 500 mg/kg of vitamin C had lighter (P < 0.05) piglet BWT CV compared with Control sows. Supplementing 500 mg/kg of vitamin C increased (P < 0.05) both average piglet birth weight and average piglet weaning weight compared with Control sows. Piglet survival did not differ (P > 0.05) between treatments. Average daily gain from birth to 124 days of age tended (P = 0.06) to be greater for pigs from sows fed vitamin C when compared with pigs from Control sows (707 vs. 688 g). Offspring survival from birth to 124 days of age did not differ (P > 0.05) between parity 1 and 2 sows (80.6 and 78.4%, respectively). Yet offspring from parity 2 sows had greater (P < 0.05) ADG from birth to 124 days of age when compared with parity 1 sows (713 vs. 688 g). In summary, supplementing sows with vitamin C increased throughput by enhancing piglet birth weight, piglet weaning weight and offspring growth performance.
107 Yeast-Based Postbiotic Supplementation in Sow Diets to Enhance Offspring Growth and Health Through the Nursery Period
Authors: Kieser Joel , Palencia Jorge Perez , Johnston Lee J , Levesque Crystal L
Published: October 2023

Litter size and the resulting nutritional demand on the sow continue to increase while sow mortality and culling rate are also increasing. Non-nutritive feed additives may enhance sow health and thereby improve offspring growth and productivity after weaning. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of yeast-based postbiotic supplementation in gestation and lactation diets on offspring performance through the nursery period. Gestating sows (N = 53; Parity 0 to 5; BW = 242.7 ± 7.1 kg) in 2 breeding groups were blocked by parity and assigned to either a control (CON) diet or a diet supplemented with a yeast-based postbiotic (SUP) at 0.5% in gestation from d 80 to 113 of gestation and 0.2% in lactation (d 114 of gestation to weaning at 20 ± 2 d). Sow reproductive performance and offspring growth from birth to 65 d of age were monitored. At weaning, pigs were allotted to pens within maternal dietary treatment (10 pigs/pen; 31 to 32 pens/maternal treatment; 630 total pigs; BW = 6.18 ± 0.86 kg) and all piglets received common nursery diets in a 4-phase program. Pigs were weighed at week 1, 2, 4, and 6 after weaning. Sow body weight and or reproductive performance (Piglets born alive/litter, 14.4 vs 14.1; piglet birth weight, 1.45 vs 1.48 kg; piglets weaned/litter, 13.0 vs 12.9; lactation sow feed intake, 6.4 vs 6.8 kg/d) was similar in CON and SUP sows, respectively. In the first week after weaning, pigs from SUP sows had greater (P = 0.03) feed intake (0.14 vs 0.13 kg/day) and tended to have decreased (P = 0.06) proportion of pigs that lost body weight (5.6 vs 11.0%). The improved feed intake in the first week after weaning may explain the decreased fallback rate in pigs from SUP sows. Across both sow groups, by 65 d of age, body weight (21.53 vs 21.76 kg), average daily gain (0.36 vs 0.37 kg/day), average daily feed intake (0.54 vs 0.53 kg/day), gain efficiency (0.67 vs 0.69 kg), and mortality (1.26 vs 1.60%) was similar in piglets from CON and SUP sows, respectively. The postbiotic in sow diets positively impacted voluntary feed intake of pigs in the first week after weaning, during a period when feed intake is often low and erratic.
120 Evaluation of Anchovy Fish Meal and Fish Solubles Compared with Other Specialty Protein Sources on Nursery Pig Performance
Authors: Stas Ethan , Tokach Mike D , Woodworth Jason C , DeRouchey Joel M , Goodband Robert D , Gebhardt Jordan T
Published: October 2023

A total of 330 pigs (DNA 600 × 241, initially 4.9 ± 0.2 kg, 19 d old) were used to evaluate anchovy fish meal and fish solubles compared with other specialty protein sources on nursery pig growth performance and fecal dry matter (DM). At weaning, pigs were allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments with 4 or 5 pigs per pen and 12 replications per treatment in a completely randomized design. Dietary treatments consisted of different protein sources added based on relative SID Lys content and included: 1) enzymatically treated soybean meal (ESBM, HP 300, Hamlet Protein, Findlay, OH) at 7.0% of the diet; 2) spray-dried bovine plasma (SDBP, APC Corp, Ankeny, IA) at 3.5% of the diet; 3) fermented soybean meal (ME-PRO, Prairie Aquatech, Brookings, SD) at 5.0% of the diet; 4) fermented soybean meal enriched with 6.5% fish solubles (TASA, Lima, Peru) at 5.21% of the diet; 5) fish meal (TASA Prime meal, TASA, Lima, Peru) at 4.85% of the diet; and 6) fish meal enriched with 6.5% fish solubles (TASA Swine, TASA, Lima, Peru) at 5.05% of the diet. All diets contained the same conventional soybean meal level within phase. Treatment diets were fed in 2 phases, d 0 to 12 and d 12 to 25, for phase 1 and 2, respectively. Following phase 2, all pigs were fed a common diet for an additional 15 d. Although there was a 5 to 7% improvement in ADG for pigs fed spray-dried bovine plasma and fish meal with solubles, there were no significant differences in growth performance (P > 0.10) between treatments for any period or overall (Table). There was a treatment × day interaction (P = 0.003) for fecal dry matter largely driven by the increase in fecal DM for pigs fed spray-dried bovine plasma from d 12 to 25. On d 12, there were no differences between treatments for fecal DM (P > 0.10); however, on d 25, pigs fed spray-dried bovine plasma had improved (P = 0.017) fecal DM compared with pigs fed enzymatically treated soybean meal with all other treatments intermediate. In summary, anchovy fish meal with or without fish solubles can be utilized in nursery pig diets without decreasing growth performance.
121 Use of Specialty Soy Products as Alternatives to Poultry Meal and Spray-Dried Blood Plasma in Nursery Pig Diets
Authors: Stas Ethan , Faccin Jamil , Post Zach , Hastad Chad W , Tokach Mike D , Woodworth Jason C , DeRouchey Joel M , Goodband Robert D , Gebhardt Jordan T
Published: October 2023

A total of 2,260 pigs (initial BW = 6.7 ± 0.3 kg) were used to evaluate specialty soy protein sources as alternatives to poultry meal and spray-dried blood plasma on nursery pig performance. At weaning, pigs were allotted to 1 of 5 dietary treatments based on initial weight in two research nurseries. In the first facility there were 20 pigs per pen and 10 pens per treatment. In the second facility, there were 21 pigs per pen and 12 replications per treatment for a total of 22 replications per treatment. Pigs were fed experimental diets during phase 1 (d 0 to 7) and phase 2 (d 7 to 21) followed by a common diet for an additional 21 days (d 21 to 42). Dietary treatments included a control diet containing 9.5% poultry meal (AV-E Digest, XFE Products, Des Moines, IA) and 4.13 (Phase 1) or 2.75% (Phase 2) spray-dried blood plasma (Appetein, APC Inc., Ankeny, IA) and a 2 × 2 factorial with a novel soy protein concentrate (AX3 Digest; Protekta; Plainfield, IN) or microbial enhanced soy protein (MEPro; Prairie Aquatech; Brookings, SD) replacing poultry meal or poultry meal and spray-dried blood plasma. Protein sources were added to the diet to maintain a similar level of soybean meal and balance for SID amino acids. Thus, soy protein sources were added to the diet at 6 and 13 (Phase 1) or 10.75% (Phase 2) to replace poultry meal or poultry meal and spray-dried blood plasma, respectively. Dietary treatment structure allowed the opportunity to compare each protein source to each other, soy protein sources as a replacement to poultry meal, and soy protein sources as a replacement to spray-dried blood plasma. During the experimental period (d 0 to 21), pigs fed novel soy protein concentrate had improved (P < 0.001) G:F with no differences (P > 0.10) in ADG or ADFI compared with pigs fed microbial enhanced soy protein (Table). Pigs fed either soy protein as a replacement of poultry meal had increased (P < 0.001) ADG and ADFI compared with pigs fed the control diet. Additionally, pigs fed either soy protein source as a replacement of spray-dried blood plasma had improved (P = 0.044) G:F compared with pigs fed either soy protein without replacing spray-dried blood plasma, with no differences (P > 0.10) in ADG or ADFI. In summary, utilizing a specialty soy protein source as a replacement for poultry meal improved growth performance. Further replacing poultry meal and spray-dried blood plasma with the specialty soy proteins improved feed efficiency during the experimental period. The novel soy protein concentrate improved feed efficiency compared with microbial enhanced soy protein during the experimental period with no effect on ADG or ADFI.
127 How to Best Calculate Acid Binding Capacity at pH 4 in Feed Ingredients for Weanling Pigs
Authors: Gutierrez Nestor A , Aldenhoven Noud , Scholtes-Timmerman Maarten , Jaworski Neil W
Published: October 2023

The value of acid binding capacity at pH 4 (ABC-4) of feed ingredients can be used to formulate weanling pig diets for improved feed efficiency and free of ZnO. In practice, it is expensive and time consuming to analyze all ingredients used in pig diet formulation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the most efficient and cost-effective method to accurately predict ABC-4 in feed ingredients used in weanling pig diets. Variation of the ABC-4 value is low in most feed ingredients, and the average value of ABC-4 is accurate enough for use in feed formulation [Lawlor et al. (2005)]. However, limestone and soybean meal (SBM) were studied because of their contribution to dietary ABC-4, and their inherit variability in ABC-4. Results showed that when ABC-4 of limestone and SBM is analyzed, the error in ABC-4 of final feed decreases by 58%. Therefore, if SBM and limestone are analyzed for ABC-4, and fixed values are used for all other ingredients, the value of ABC-4 in the final diet will be +/-20 mEq/kg of the target ABC-4 (P < 0.05). When ingredients are not analyzed for ABC-4, the variability increases and value in final feed will vary between +/- 48 mEq ABC-4/kg (P < 0.05). Next, 39 samples of SBM were collected from the US, Brazil, and Argentina to develop a prediction equation of ABC-4 for SBM from its macro-nutrient composition. Values of ABC-4 of SBM ranged between 773 and 878 mEq/kg, with an average of 824 mEq/kg and STD of 28 mEq ABC-4/kg. No significant relationships between the analyzed macro-nutrients and ABC-4 of SBM were observed (R2 = 0.01, with cross-validation). Therefore, the accuracy and precision of predicting ABC-4 of SBM were not improved by developing a derivative formula to estimate ABC-4 in SBM from its macro-nutrients. Next, 24 samples of limestone were collected from Canada to develop methods to predict ABC-4 accurately and quickly. The value of ABC-4 ranged between 20,823 and 23,412 mEq/kg, with an average of 22,117 mEq/kg and STD of 431 mEq/kg. A good correlation was obtained between ABC-4 and near infrared spectroscopy calibration (NIR) lines (R2 = 0.79, unground, with cross-validation). We conclude that for accurate and rapid determination of ABC-4, and ease of application in nursery diet formulation, ABC-4 can be analyzed in limestone using NIR, in SBM using wet chemistry, and for all other ingredients fixed values can be used. Additionally, for accurate formulation of nursery diets, a safety margin of 20 mEq/kg can be applied to the target ABC-4 value in the final diet.
132 The Effects of Increasing Dietary Standardized Ileal Digestible Lysine Levels on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of 11- to 133-kg Late-Nursery-to-Finish Pigs Sired by PIC 800 Boars
Authors: Kitt Steve J , Cast Wayne R , Hover Mark , Vier Carine M , Sievers Chris , Lu Ning , Navales Ron A , Montoro Jordi Camp , Betlach Alyssa , Hamilton Dan , Kiehne Ross , Dritz Steve , Orlando Uislei A
Published: October 2023

Our objective was to determine the effects of increasing standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine (Lys) levels on growth performance and carcass characteristics of late-nursery-to-finish pigs sired by PIC 800 boars. Barrows and gilts [n = 1,00; PIC800×Camborough, initial body weight (BW) = 10.9 ± 0.39 kg] were used in a 142-d growth trial with 40 mixed sex pens, 10 pens per treatment, and 25 pigs per pen. At the beginning of the trial, pens were blocked by BW and randomly allotted to one of four treatments (overall dietary SID Lys level as 87, 95, 102, or 110% of PIC SID Lys recommendations) in a randomized complete block design. Diets were corn-soybean meal (SBM)-based, and treatments were achieved through the inclusion of SBM with adjustments of corn and choice white grease. Diets were fed in 7 phases (11-17, 17-34, 34-44, 44-57, 57-77, 77-95, and 95-133 kg) and formulated to be iso-caloric across treatments for each phase. Within each phase, only the diets of the least and greatest SID Lys levels were manufactured, and the diets of intermediate SID Lys levels were blended by the automatic feeding system in the research facility. Growth performance data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure in SAS (Version 9.4, SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC) and considered pen as the experimental unit. The statistical model considered fixed effects of SID Lys levels and random effects of the block. Mortality and removals were also analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure and specified a binomial distribution. All data are reported as least square means and considered statistically significant at P < 0.05 and marginally significant at P < 0.10. Increasing overall dietary SID Lys levels reduced overall average daily feed intake (linear, P = 0.045) and increased overall gain-to-feed ratio (linear, P = 0.002), but there was no evidence for a difference across treatments for overall average daily gain (P > 0.10) or overall removal and mortality rate (Table 1; P >0.10). Pigs fed overall SID Lys level as 102% of PIC recommendation had significantly greater carcass yield compared with those fed 95 or 110% (P < 0.05), with the pigs fed 87% being intermediate. Increasing overall dietary SID Lys levels reduced backfat depth (linear, P< 0.001) and increased lean yield (linear, P = 0.012), but there was no evidence for a difference among treatments for loin depth (P > 0.10). In conclusion, increasing overall dietary SID Lys level beyond PIC recommendations through increasing SBM levels resulted in improved feed efficiency, backfat depth, and lean yield of 11 to 133 kg pigs sired by PIC 800 boars.
139 Trace Mineral Source Matters for Weaned Pigs Challenged with Escherichia Coli F18 in Diets without Pharmacological Zinc Oxide
Authors: Acosta Jesus A , Chen Juxing , Hancock Deana
Published: October 2023

Trace mineral sources in diets without pharmacological zinc oxide (P-ZnO) were evaluated in weaned pigs challenged with Escherichia coli F18. A total of 54 pigs (Choice genetics; West Des Moines, IA), 5.30 ± 0.42kg, were housed in pens (3 pigs/pen) and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments; 1) a diet with methionine-hydroxy-analog chelated trace mineral blend [MHAC; MINTREX trace minerals (Novus International Inc., St. Charles, MO)], 2) a diet with inorganic trace minerals (ITM). MHAC and ITM treatments supplied 100:120:40mg/kg of Zn, Cu, and Mn, respectively, and 3) P-ZnO with 2,500mg/kg (1,800mg/kg of Zn) and 120:40mg/kg of Cu, and Mn, in the ITM form. After 9-d of acclimatization, all pigs were infected with E. coli F18 There were 13 days of post-infection (dpi) as recovery time. One pig per pen was euthanized at 4-dpi and the remaining at 13-dpi for tissue harvest. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS using a contrast between MHAC and ITM and P-ZnO against MHAC and ITM. After acclimation, ADG increased in pigs fed MHAC than ITM (0.190 vs. 0.128kg; P = 0.003). Pigs fed P-ZnO had similar ADG (0.202 kg) to MHAC (P=0.638) but had increased ADG than ITM (P = 0.014). From dpi 0 to 4, there were no differences in ADG between pigs fed MHAC and ITM (-0.002 vs. -0.034kg; P=0.589). Pigs fed P-ZnO increased ADG (0.408 kg) compared with MHAC (P < 0.001) and ITM (P < 0.001). From 5 to 13 dpi, there were no differences in ADG between MHAC and ITM (0.407 vs. 0.352 kg; P = 0.260). Pigs fed P-ZnO had similar ADG (0.427kg) to MHAC (P=0.680) and ITM (P = 0.137). During acclimation, ADFI increased in pigs fed MHAC than ITM (0.150 vs. 0.120kg; P = 0.050). Pigs fed P-ZnO had increased ADFI (0.188kg) than MHAC (P=0.017) and ITM (P = 0.001). From dpi 0 to 4, pigs fed MHAC had increased ADFI than ITM (0.142 vs. 0.074kg; P = 0.005). Pigs fed P-ZnO had increased ADFI (0.321kg) than MHAC (P< 0.001) and ITM (P < 0.001). From 5 to 13 dpi, there were no differences in ADFI between MHAC and ITM (0.536 vs. 0.447kg; P = 0.147). Pigs fed P-ZnO (0.624kg) had similar ADFI to MHAC (P = 0.157) but increased ADFI compared with ITM (P = 0.011). Pigs fed MHAC tended to have an increased final BW than ITM (11.12 vs. 9.74kg; P=0.060). Pigs fed P-ZnO tended to have increased BW (12.48kg) compared with MHAC (P=0.064) and increased BW compared with ITM (P = 0.002). Diarrhea incidence (0 to 4 dpi) was similar between MHAC and ITM (63.9 vs. 66.7%; P = 0.736). Pigs fed P-ZnO had decreased diarrhea incidence (6.9%) compared with MHAC (P < 0.001) and ITM (P < 0.001). In conclusion, adding MHAC enhanced feed intake and growth performance, aiding recovery from weaning and after E. coli infection in pigs fed diets without P-ZnO.