bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
196 Serum Trace Minerals and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Concentrations in Prolapsed and Non-Prolapsed Sows
Authors: Harshman Jared A , Carter Scott D , Daniels C Scanlon , Coble Kyle , Madson Darin
Published: October 2023

Since 2014, pelvic organ prolapse (POP) has become a growing concern in the U.S. swine industry. Pelvic organ prolapse is one of the three leading causes of sow mortality today. While research has increased over the years investigating the cause and occurrence of POP, the reason for the increase in POP is not fully understood. Trace mineral status is one area of interest proposed to be associated with POP. We conducted a study to determine if there was a difference in serum trace minerals and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) concentration between prolapsed and non-prolapsed sows. The study utilized 44 prolapsed sows and 44 non-prolapsed sows of the same parity, location, management, and stage of production. Blood was collected from the prolapsed and non-prolapsed sows upon discovery and processed at a local lab where serum was collected and stored until further analyses were performed. Serum samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for trace mineral content (Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, P, Se, and Zn). Additionally, TNF-α concentration was determined from the serum using ELISA testing. Data were analyzed using the PROC GLIMMIX procedure in SAS. Prolapsed sows had decreased (P < 0.05) Fe (2.77 vs 3.76 ppm), Mo (9.22 vs 13.02 ppb), and Zn (1.07 vs 1.19 ppm) trace mineral concentration in the serum compared with the non-prolapsed sows. However, Mg was greater (P < 0.05) in prolapsed sows compared with non-prolapsed sows (23.24 vs 21.36 ppm). Selenium was marginally (P = 0.08) less in prolapsed sows compared with non-prolapsed sows (191 vs 206 ppb). There were no differences (P > 0.10) between prolapsed and non-prolapsed sows trace mineral concentrations for Ca (97.1 vs 99.1 ppm), Cu (2.07 vs 2.03 ppm), Mn (3.77 vs 3.72 ppb), P (52.5 vs 50.2 ppm), and K (264 vs 264 ppm). There was a difference (P < 0.05) in TNF-α concentration between the prolapsed and non-prolapsed sows (233.1 vs 178.9 pg/mL). This study suggests that there is a decreased concentration of various serum trace minerals found in prolapsed sows compared with non-prolapsed sows and an increased TNF-α response in prolapsed sows.
11 Evaluation and Application of Technology in Swine Production Systems
Authors: Rosero David S
Published: October 2023

The rapid development of smart farming technology is improving our real-time and continuous monitoring of animal health status, improvement of animal well-being, and monitoring of growth and performance to maximize revenue capture. Significant innovations are emerging to solve complex tasks in swine barns and to augment the capacity of farmers. Special attention has been given to computer vision technologies because of the low cost of cameras and the advancements in edge computing systems that automatically extract, analyze, and understand complex problems from a single image or a sequence of images. In swine production systems, computer vision technologies have been applied to monitor animal behavior, counting of pigs, estimation of pig body weight, monitoring of feed bin levels, among others. As farmers adopt new technologies, we propose that field evaluation of smart farming tools must include a scientific assessment of accuracy and reliability. Internal validation of the technology PigVision, a smart camera system that estimates the body weight of pigs, used a total of 32 smart cameras installed in a research-commercial finish barn (100 pens, capacity for 2,400 pigs) in Iowa. Estimation of body weights by cameras were compared with pen weights using a built-in pen scale every 2 months for more than 2 years. The initial results of the accuracy of cameras were < 90%. After adjustments on the algorithms related to height of the ceiling and lighting conditions, the accuracy improved to > 96%. The average accuracy during 2022 was 96.7%. Field validation of cameras overtime allowed to assess the reliability of the system by measuring the uptime of cameras. We defined uptime of cameras as the percentage of daily body weight estimations reported to end users relative to the number of cameras placed in the barn. During the first cycle of production (April to July 2020), the uptime averaged 97.2%. The uptime decreased to 85.6% in the next cycle (August to December 2020). Improvements in the hardware, internet reliability and periodicity in lense cleaning resulted in uptimes to > 98.5% during the last 2 cycles tested (February to October 2022). As accuracy and reliability of smart cameras meet expectations, we envision that these can be used to monitor and predict changes in the growth of pigs, early detection of health challenges and support marketing strategies. We anticipate that technology smartness for continuous monitoring of animal growth and health will drive a major shift from our conventional methods of production to more advanced and efficient systems. We expect that the implementation of computer vision technologies in swine barns will accelerate as they continue to prove accuracy, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
29 Evaluation of Diet Composition on Early Post-Weaned Feed Intake and Intestinal Health
Authors: deNeui Grace , De Mille Carson M , Burrough Eric R , Gabler Nicholas K
Published: October 2023

Weaning is an inevitable early life stressor in commercial production that can cause an immediate reduction in voluntary feed intake and growth during a critical period of gastrointestinal development. Further, the reduction in voluntary feed intake is strongly correlated with the risk of disease during that period. Therefore, our objective was to test the effect of different dietary interventions on early nursery pig feed intake, performance, fecal consistency, and histological parameters. Over 2 repetitions, a total of 90 newly weaned gilts (19-21 d of age, BW 5.62 ± 1.1 kg) were selected, individually penned and randomly assigned to 1 of 5 dietary treatments (n = 18 pigs/treatment) that included: 1) Control diet (CON), 2) CON + 5% sugar beet pulp (BP), 3) CON + 10% high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), 4) CON + 5% soyhulls (SH), or 5) CON + 3,000 ppm Zn and 200 ppm Cu (d 0-7), and 2,000 ppm Zn and 200 ppm Cu (d 8-14; ZC). Each repetition was conducted over a 14-d period consisting of 2 phases (Phase 1: d 0-7, phase 2: d 8-14). Pigs were all sourced from a natural endemic enteric pathogen positive nursery flow and confirmed positive for rotavirus, coccidia and F18 E. coli. Fecal consistency was scored and feed disappearance was recorded daily. On d 0, 7 and 14, pig BW were collected. Weekly feed disappearance and BW were used to calculate ADG, ADFI and feed efficiency (G:F) within phase and overall. On d 14, all pigs were euthanized, and fixed sections of ileum and colon were collected to assess histopathology including incidence of villus atrophy and colitis. Pig was the experimental unit, and performance and histology data were analyzed by dietary treatment. Daily measures of feed intake were analyzed by repeated measures with the fixed effects of diet, day, and their interaction. Starting BW did not differ across dietary treatments (P = 0.845). Over the 14-d test period, HFCS and ZC treatments tended to increase ADG (0.20 and 0.15 kg/d, respectively) compared with CON, BP and SH (0.09, 0.12, and 0.13 kg/d, respectively; P = 0.076). Further, the addition of a sweetener (HFCS) did not improve daily feed intake, while SH reduced daily feed intakes by 32% compared with all other treatments (P < 0.001). Although all pigs had some degree of diarrhea, fecal consistency did not differ between dietary treatments (P = 0.618). Histopathology scoring for intestinal atrophy (ileum) and colitis (colon) were not different (P = 0.645 and 0.440, respectively). In conclusion, the addition of BP, HFCS, SH and ZC had an effect on growth and feed intake but there was no benefit in atrophy, colitis, and fecal scores when encountering a natural enteric pathogen burden.
35 High Fiber Top Dress Effects on Sows During Farrowing and Lactation
Authors: Nickell Sawyer j , Rush Cate , McKilligan Denny , Tauer Sam , Cline Paul M
Published: October 2023

There have been several studies on high fiber diets during late gestation and lactation which have shown an increase in body condition score as well as showing an increase in piglet born alive with multiple cycles. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of two high fiber top dress protocols on the performance of lactating sows and piglets in the farrowing phase. The top dress contained sugar beet pulp, wheat bran, vitamins, enzymes, and an attractant. A total of 459 sows were balanced by parity and genetics among 3 treatments. Treatment 1, Control, contained no additional fiber. Treatment 2, 5D, was fed 0.45 kg. top dress/day for 5 days upon entry into farrowing. Treatment 3, 23D, was fed 0.45 kg top dress for 5 days upon entry into farrowing and then 0.23 kg top dress/day until pigs were weaned. After each room had finished farrowing, piglets were cross fostered within the room, balanced on litter size and number of teats on the sow, and then individually weighed. Piglets were weighed again the day prior to weaning. Calipers were used to record body condition score prior to farrow and weaning. A fecal softness score using a numeric system of 3 = normal 2 = soft 1 = cow patty 0 = liquid was utilized. Fecal scores were recorded daily. Data were analyzed using mixed linear model in SAS. Ending body condition scores were increased with the addition of fiber (Control = 2.59, 5D = 2.59, 23D = 2.69, P = 0.002). Sow mortality was numerically reduced with the addition of 23D fiber (control = 3.97%, 5D = 3.87%, 23D = 1.31%, P = 0.31). Piglet average daily gain (kg/d) was not statistically impacted by fiber (Control = 0.25, 5D = 0.25, 23D = 0.26, P = 0.27). Wean pigs per litter showed no change between treatments (Control = 12.57, 5D = 12.70, 23D = 12.47, P = 0.38) Wean to estrus days were not statistically impacted from treatments (Control 4.28, 5D = 4.20, 23D = 4.1, P = 0.53.) Fecal softness scores continued to decline in the 23D after the initial five days on treatment (P < 0.01.) In conclusion, sows on 23D fiber maintained more body weight through lactation and had consistently looser stools than sows on 5D or Control treatments.
36 Effects of Programmed Compensatory Gain on Feedlot Steer Behavior
Authors: Schwager Jebadiah , Buessing Zachary , Hannon Bruce , Murphy Michael , Shike Daniel W , McCann Joshua C
Published: October 2023

The objective was to determine effects of programmed compensatory gain on feedlot steer behavior after feeding. Simmental × Angus steers (n = 159; BW = 278 ± 49 kg) were blocked by BW, stratified by sire, and allotted to 10 pens. Each pen contained a 3.0 m-long bunk to allow 19 cm of linear bunk space per steer. Pens were randomly assigned to one of two treatments on d 0: control (CON) or programmed compensatory gain (PCG). To achieve programmed compensatory gain, previously growing animals were maintained at a constant BW by reducing the amount of feed offered by 3.29% daily for 10 consecutive d. This restricted feeding protocol was initiated on d 45. Thus, on d 54, PCG steers were consuming 72% of original dry matter intake (DMI) and subsequently returned to ad libitum intake to facilitate a period of compensatory gain. Feed intake for CON pens was managed using slick bunk management for the entire experiment. Behavior was observed before (d 37 and 44), during (d 47, 49, 51 and 54), and after programmed compensatory gain period (d 58 and 68) after morning and afternoon feedings (1 and 0.5 h, respectively). Data were analyzed using GLIMMIX procedure of SAS 9.4 using a beta distribution. Following morning feeding, a treatment by day interaction (P = 0.01) was observed for percentage of steers at the bunk as more PCG steers were at the bunk on d 47, 49, 52, 54, and 58 compared with CON steers. Following morning feeding, no treatment by day interactions (P > 0.14) were observed for steers waiting behind the bunk, standing, lying, or pushing. A greater percentage (P = 0.05) of PCG steers were waiting behind the bunk compared with CON following morning feeding (8.0 and 5.8%, respectively). A greater (P = 0.01) percentage of PCG steers were observed pushing compared with CON following morning feeding (12.5 and 7.3%, respectively). A greater (P < 0.01) percentage of PCG steers were standing compared with CON following morning feeding. Following afternoon feeding, no treatment by day interactions (P ≥ 0.13) were observed for steers at the bunk, waiting behind the bunk, standing, or pushing. A greater (P < 0.01) percentage of PCG steers were at the bunk and waiting behind the bunk compared with CON following afternoon feeding. A greater (P = 0.01) percentage of PCG steers were observed pushing compared with CON following afternoon feeding (10.7 and 4.2%, respectively). No effect (P ≥ 0.57) was observed for steers standing in the pen following afternoon feeding. Feed restriction associated with PCG only had minor impacts on steer behavior with observed increases in the percentage of steers at the bunk and waiting behind the bunk immediately after feeding.
39 Using Finishing Pig Body Measurements as a Tool to Estimate Body Weight
Authors: Steichen Branigan , Miller Hannah , Levesque Crystal L
Published: October 2023

Approximately $220 million is lost every year by the pork industry due to sort losses defined as the loss of value associated with marketing pigs that fall outside the premium body weight (BW) range. Current industry standards of by “eye” measuring results in a sort loss greater than 10% in most loads. Stationary imaging systems to predict BW have been developed to help producers better market their pigs at the appropriate BW; however, they can be costly and still require stockpersons to individually mark relevant pigs. Flank to Flank measurements using a cloth tape have been found suitable for predicting breeding sow and boar weights. The objective of the study was to establish a linear equation based on body measurements (body length, heart girth, and flank) to predict BW in finishing pigs. This study used 223 finisher pigs (121 gilts, 102 barrows), divided between 2 replicate groups (28.5 ±0.7 days). Measurements of BW, body length (base of neck to base of tail), heart girth (circumference around the chest), and flank (measurement was taken in front of hind legs from the bottom of one flank to the other sides bottom of the flank) were measured every 7 d beginning at 135 d of age until 163 d of age. Linear regression was used to establish equations for each body measurement alone and in combination and the R2 coefficient was used to compare predictability of equations. An R2 value of 0.76, 0.24, and 0.65 was found for heart girth, body length, and flank length, respectively. The linear equation from the greatest R2 value measurement was BW = 1.95 × (heart girth) - 101.78. The R2 value can be improved by combining multiple points of measurement provided added variable(s) make a significant contribution. The linear equation accounting for all three measurements [BW = (0.17 × length) + (1.49 × heart) + (0.12 × flank) - 122.98] had R2 = 0.78. The combination of body length and heart girth [BW = (1.45 × heart) + (0.87 × flank) - 118.94] resulted in an equation with a similar accuracy (R2 = 0.78) as all 3 measurements combined. Body length marginally improved the R2 value likely because it had a relatively low R2 value alone. The equation combining heart girth and flank explained the greatest proportion of the variation in BW, although there was limited additional value above heart girth alone. Within a commercial finisher barn, measuring heart girth of every pig may not be practical. However, this method could be suitable to train stockpersons for improved visual estimation of pig weight or to gauge overall barn performance based on a random sampling of pigs just prior to marketing.
38 The Effects of Lysine and Antibiotic Usage on Early Nursery Pig Performance
Authors: Statler Abigail , Miller Kayla A , Gabler Nicholas K
Published: October 2023

Weaning transition, early nursery environment, and the diet is critical for nursery pig performance and health. Nutritional interventions (i.e., low crude protein diets achieved via decreased SID lysine) and water or in-feed antibiotics are often used to aid in this transition in pig flows prone to endemic enteric pathogens. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of high or low dietary lysine curves, with or without antibiotics, in the first two phases of production on early nursery pig performance. A total of 384 weaned nursery pigs (starting body weight of 5.3 ± 1.6 kg) were randomly assigned to split sex pens (8 pigs/pen) over a 21-day study. Using a 2x2 factorial arrangment, pens were fed one of two dietary treatments over phase 1 (P1) and 2 (P2), with or without antibiotics (n = 12 pens/treatment). The treatments consisted of: 1) low lysine curve (1.15% and 1.2% SID Lys, respectively; LLys); 2) high lysine curve (1.45% and 1.375% SID Lys, respectively; HLys); 3) LLys + antibiotics (LLys+); and 4) HLys + antibiotics (HLys+). During P1, LLys+ and HLys+ received water soluble gentamicin for 5 days, while 50 g/ton Mecadox was added to the LLys+ and HLys+ P2 diets. Four days post-placement, pigs were confirmed positive for Rotavirus and hemolytic E. coli. Individual pig body weights and pen feed disappearance were collected on day 7, 14 and 21 to calculate ADG, ADFI, and G:F. Fecal consistency was scored daily by pen. Data were analyzed with pen as the experimental unit and least squares means reported with the fixed effects of lysine, antibiotics, and their interaction. Regardless of dietary treatment or antibiotic usage, LLys, HLys, LLys+, and HLys+ ADG (0.21, 0.22, 0.20, and 0.21 kg/d, respectively) or ADFI (0.30, 0.28, 0.28, and 0.28 kg/d, respectively) were not different over the 21-day period (P > 0.05). No lysine by antibiotic interactions were reported for any variable measured (P > 0.05). Pig removals and mortalities ranged from 1-4% and did not differ between treatments (P > 0.05). No fixed effects were observed in P1 variables. Although growth rates did not differ, G:F was greater in HLys compared with LLys fed pigs in P2 (0.78 vs. 0.73, P = 0.016) and overall (0.75 vs. 0.69, P = 0.031). Antibiotic usage had no effect on P1, P2, or overall performance parameters. In conclusion, feeding pigs on a high lysine curve or utilizing water soluble and in-feed antibiotics shows minimal benefit to young pigs with a natural enteric pathogen burden.
PSII-5 Impacts of Birth Body Weight Classification on Performance, Feed Efficiency, and Structural Characteristics in Beef Steers
Authors: Duncan Hattie I , Shike Daniel W
Published: October 2023

The objective was to evaluate the relationship of birth body weight (BBW) classification on performance, feed efficiency, and structural characteristics in fall-born beef steers. Steers were classified based on BBW as either light (LtBBW; < -0.5 SD from mean), average (AvgBBW; ± 0.5 SD from mean), or heavy (HvyBBW; > +0.5 SD from mean). Steers (n = 167), either Angus or Hereford sired by commercial dams, were utilized in the analysis. Steers were early weaned at 81 ± 7 days of age. Following weaning, steers were managed in drylot pens until shipping on day 1 (140 ± 6 days of age). Upon feedlot arrival, steers were randomly assigned to pens and fed a growing diet for 87 days until transitioning to a finishing diet (DM basis; 45% high moisture corn, 25% corn silage, 20% modified wet distillers grains with solubles, 10% corn-based supplement). On day 98, steers began a 56-day evaluation utilizing GrowSafe system to determine dry matter intake (DMI). Steers were weighed monthly except during the intake evaluation period, where weights were collected biweekly. Foot, leg, and claw scores were collected for structural characteristics on days 58 and 237. Hip height was collected on day 237. As designed, birth body weight differed (P < 0.01) between classifications (30, 34, and 39 kg for LtBBW, AvgBBW, and HvyBBW, respectively). The BBW classification influenced (P < 0.01) body weight on days 1, 29, 59, 77, 98, 112, 126, 140, 154, 182, and 237; HvyBBW were heavier than LtBBW and AvgBBW, which were not different from each other. During the intake evaluation period, DMI was greater (P = 0.01) for HvyBBW compared with LtBBW and AveBBW, which did not differ from each other. Similarly, ADG differed (P = 0.03) by classification; HvyBBW was greater than LtBBW, with AvgBBW being intermediate but not different from either. Consequently, gain to feed did not differ (P = 0.44) by BBW classification. Following the intake evaluation, ADG tended (P = 0.09) to differ from day 154 to 237. Overall ADG from day 1 to day 237 differed (P = 0.01) by BBW classification; LtBBW were least and HvyBBW were greatest, with AvgBBW being intermediate but not different than either. Foot, leg, and claw scores were not different (P ≥ 0.15) by BBW classification on days 58 and 237. Hip height differed (P = 0.05) by BBW classification on day 237; HvyBBW were taller than LtBBW and AvgBBW, which did not differ from each other. In summary, heavy birth body weight steers had greater growth performance and DMI than light steers but did not differ in feed efficiency or structural characteristics.
PSV-6 Evaluation of Narasin Feeding Duration on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Growing-Finishing Pigs
Authors: Puls Christopher L , Arentson Roger A , Shields Michael , Carr Scott , Lerner Annie , Betlach Alyssa
Published: October 2023

Previous studies evaluating 15 mg/kg narasin have shown improvements in BW, ADG, G:F, and HCW and carcass yield when fed for an extended period of time ( >60 days). However, a detailed evaluation of feeding duration of narasin has not been completed. This study evaluated the effect of narasin feeding duration on growth performance and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing pigs. The study was carried out over a fixed time of 112 days using 1,644 pigs in a randomized complete block design. Narasin was included at 15 mg/kg in the last two, three, or four growing-finishing dietary phases, which resulted in narasin being fed for the last 68, 94, or 112 days of study and compared with a negative control diet. Pigs were fed diets that met or exceeded nutrient recommendations of growing-finishing pigs (NRC, 2012). Pigs were offered ad libitum access to feed and water throughout the study and weighed every 28 days and at every marketing event. Feed additions and feed remaining in the feeder at the time of pig weighing were recorded. Pigs were sent for harvest to a commercial slaughter facility in three marketing groups: Group 1 – 20% of pigs marketed on day 84 of study, Group 2 – 20% of pigs marketed on day 98 of study, and Group 3 – remaining 60% of pigs marketed on day 112 of study. Standard carcass grading measurements were collected for each pig and summarized by pen for data analysis. There were limited statistical differences (P > 0.05) between treatments for growth or carcass measures, likely due to the limited number of replicates (n = 16) in this research facility. Nonetheless, there were numerical improvements from feeding narasin. Final live BW (+0.3, +0.4, +1.5 kg, respectively) and ADG (+0.1, +0.4, and +1.3%, respectively; Table 1) numerically increased with increased feeding duration of narasin. Overall G:F was relatively unaffected by feeding duration. Hot carcass weight increased with increased narasin feeding duration (+0.2, +1.1, +1.9 kg, respectively), resulting in increased carcass yield with increased feeding duration (-0.2, +0.1, +0.4 percentage units, respectively). Collectively, carcass ADG and carcass G:F trended toward improvement with increased feeding duration. Results of this study confirm previously observed improvements in growth performance from extended feeding of narasin compared with controls, suggesting that a greater response to narasin is observed with longer feeding durations.
PSV-5 Maternal Vitamin D Deficiency Increases the Incidence of Osteochondrotic-Like Lesions in the Distal Femur of Growing Pigs
Authors: Kokinos Brittney P , Amundson Laura A , Crenshaw Thomas D , Lang Pamela J
Published: October 2023

The current objective was to evaluate the hypoviatminosis-D (Hypo-D) swine model for osteochondrosis-like (OC-like) lesions in the distal femur. Maternal and neonatal vitamin D deficient diets were used at specific production phases to produce OC-like lesions. Sows were fed 1 of 3 diets during gestation and lactation that included either 0 (GD-), 325 (GD+), or 1750 (GD++) IU D3/kg diet. Pigs produced by those sows were then fed 1 of 2 nursery diets for 4 weeks supplemented with either 0 (ND-) or 280 (ND+) IU D3/kg diet. After the nursery phase, all pigs were fed recovery diets formulated with 280 IU D3/kg. Dietary treatment groups included GD-ND- (n=16), GD+ND- (n=20), GD+ND+ (n=19), and GD++ND+ (n=15) for a total of 70 pigs. Pigs were euthanized at 22 weeks of age and the entire distal femoral joints were dissected for computed tomography (CT) scans and image analysis using Mimics (Materialize software, Version 23) to quantify whole-bone mineral volume (mm3), whole-bone mineral density (g/cm2), and OC-lesion characteristics across the physis and articular surfaces (number and volume of lesions). The incidence of kyphosis and distal femoral OC-like lesions were evaluated using binary count data (0 = no observations of spinal curvature or femoral OC-like lesions) or (1 = observations of spinal curvature or femoral OC-like lesions). Pigs in GD-ND- group did not recover body weight, whole-bone density, or whole-bone volume compared with pigs in other dietary treatment groups (P < 0.05; Table 1). The GD-ND- pigs had the greatest incidence of kyphosis (81%) and large physeal irregularities (LPI) in the distal femur (88%), compared with other groups. The distal femoral LPI in GD-ND- and GD+ND- groups had larger lesion volumes (P < 0.05) compared with pigs in GD+ND+ and GD++ND+ groups. However, small physeal lesions (SPL) and articular surface lesions (ASL) did not follow the same response pattern to dietary treatments. Interestingly, the GD+ND+ group had the largest volume of ASL compared with other groups (P < 0.05). The contrast in differential development of the three categories (SPL, ASL, and LPI) of lesions in the distal femur raises interesting questions about biological responses to vitamin D deficient diets at critical time points in long bone development. The present results infer that the time in which a vitamin D deficient diet is fed to sows and their subsequent offspring may alter the location, number, and size of OC-like lesions in the distal femur. Further studies are needed to fully characterize LPI and track the timing of a vitamin D deficiency with the different developmental growth patterns of the vertebral column and distal femur physis and articular surfaces.
PSI-18 Efficacy of Dietary Fat (Tallow and Palm Oil) Inclusion on Growth Efficiency, Nutrient Absorption, Meat Quality, and Meat Fatty Acid Profile in Finishing Pigs
Authors: Lim Chai Bin , Yu Sun Gu , Jang Se Yeon , Biswas Sarbani , Kim In Ho
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to investigate the impact of dietary fat (tallow and palm oil) supplementation on the performance, nutrient retention, backfat thickness, carcass grade, meat quality, and fatty acid profile in finishing pigs. In total, 160 finishing pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) ×Duroc] with an average body weight (BW) of 51.59 ± 1.59 kg [(16 replications/treatment, 5 pigs (3 gilts and 2 barrows)/treatment, 12-week trial] were arbitrarily distributed to 1 of 2 dietary treatments: TRT1, basal diet + tallow (2.8%); TRT2, basal diet + palm oil (2.8%). At week 8, there was tendency to increase (P < 0.10) average daily feed intake (ADFI) and decrease (P < 0.10) feed conversion ratio (FCR) in palm oil (PO) diet group, while average daily gain (ADG) showed no difference between the groups. Through the experiment, the nutrient digestibility, backfat thickness, and carcass grade did not differ (P > 0.05) between the treatment groups. In the sensory evaluation the addition of PO to the diet increased (P < 0.05) compared with the tallow diet. PO supplemented pigs showed greater fatty acid (FA) percentages of palmitoleic acid (C16:1), margaric acid (C17:0), heneicosylic acid (C21:0), ω-3 FA, ω-6: ω-3, ΣPUFA (polyunsaturated FA), and MUFA (monounsaturated FA; P < 0.05). Moreover, the percentage of ΣUSFA (unsaturated FA) and PUFA tended to increase (P < 0.05) in a PO group compared with the tallow group. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that the addition of PO to the diet would be beneficial for finishing pigs, particularly with regard to growth performance, meat quality, and meat FA profile.
PSI-16 Too Late to Catch up? Parity Order and Baseline Overall Claw Quality Impact on the Responsiveness of Sows to Mineral-Amino Acid-Complex Supplementation: A Case Study
Authors: Kramer Ton , Klein Alan , Alberton Geraldo C , Cornelison Alyssa S , Schweer Wesley P , Socha Mike , Rodrigues Lucas Alves
Published: October 2023

Poor claw quality can predispose sows to lameness, which may be counteracted by mineral-amino acid-complex (ZPM) supplementation. The objective was to investigate the effects of parity order (PO) and baseline overall claw quality (BCW) on the time required to achieve optimal response to ZPM in sows. A total of 15,500 sows (PO 1-6) supplemented with ZPM for different periods of time (months) were randomly selected and scored from 0 (no lesions) to 3 (severe lesions) for claw lesions: heel overgrowth and erosion, heel-sole crack, separation along the white line, horizontal and vertical wall cracks, and overgrown toes, or dewclaws. A lesion index (L-Index) was calculated as the sum of the greater scores from each lesion, per animal. Sows were grouped by similarity (BCW) in claw lesions in two clusters (C1 and C2). The effects of cluster and PO were investigated. A quadratic response plateau (QRP) model was fitted to assess the interrelationships between the change in L-Index and the duration of ZPM supplementation within parity and cluster. Sows from C1 had greater L-Index compared with C2 sows (6.57 vs. 2.55; SEM = 0.08; P < 0.05). Sows from PO4 (4.12), 5 (4.23), and 6 (4.34) had greater L-Index compared with sows from PO1 (3.44) and 2 (3.71), with PO3 being intermediate (3.94; SEM = 0.15; P < 0.05). Sows from PO1-C1, PO1-C2, PO2-C1, and PO2-C2 had breakpoints (duration of ZPM supplementation) of 10.36 ± 3.83, 12.41 ± 2.77, 14.85 ± 4.28, and 16.02 ± 3.85 months, respectively (P < 0.05). The breakpoints for PO3, 4, 5, and 6 from C2 were 15.02 ± 4.24, 14.08 ± 4.87, 14.28 ± 4.58, and 10.50 ± 4.30, respectively (P < 0.05). There was no breakpoint achieved for PO3, 4, 5, and 6 from C1 (P > 0.05). Our results indicate that ZPM supplementation should start early (PO1 and PO2) as the potentially negative aging effects on healing capacity may decrease the ability of sows to optimally respond to the supplementation.
PSII-19 Analysis of Vitamin A and E in Biological Samples After Prolonged Processing
Authors: Greiner Laura L , Elefson Sarah
Published: October 2023

The objective of this study was to assess vitamin A and E concentrations in liver and serum samples after extended transport to a diagnostic laboratory. This study was designed to quantify any vitamin A and E concentrations in liver or serum after samples were stored in a Styrofoam cooler with four ice packs for up to 2 days to simulate mailing samples to a diagnostic laboratory. Liver (entire right medial lobe, divided into three equal pieces) and blood (30 mL total, into three 10 mL serum tubes; BD Vacutainer, Franklin Lankes, NJ) samples were collected from six barrows (approximately 10 kg) post-euthanasia. All the samples (liver and serum) for two pigs were placed in one Styrofoam cooler with four ice packs (ThermoSafe PolarPack; 13.97 X 15.24 cm; Sonoco; Hartsville, SC, US) which was then placed onto a benchtop (room temperature, approximately 20°C) for the duration of the study. At the designated timepoints of 0, 1, or 2 days after collection, one sample of both tissue and serum were removed from the cooler, processed, and stored at -80°C until submission to the diagnostic laboratory. To process the samples, the blood was centrifuged (2,000 x g, 10 minutes, at 4°C) and the serum was isolated and placed into 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tubes (Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, CAT: 05-408-129). The liver was stored in whirl pack bags (15.24 cm X 22.86 cm). Samples were analyzed for vitamin A (retinol) and E (alpha-tocopherol) concentrations at the Iowa State University Veterinarian Diagnostic Laboratory (Ames, IA). Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure in SAS 9.4 (Statistical Analysis System, Cary, NC) with animal as the experimental unit and a fixed effect of time. No differences (P > 0.05) were found in serum vitamin A and E (Table 1; vitamin A: d 0 0.26 ppm, d 1 0.26 ppm, and d 2 0.27 ppm, vitamin E: d 0 2.20 ppm, d 1 2.36 ppm, and d 2 2.28) regardless of the sample being processed the day of, one day after, or two days after being collected from the pig. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in vitamin A or E concentrations (Table 1; vitamin A: d 0 12 ppm, d 1 11 ppm, and d 2 12 ppm, vitamin E: d 0 1.74 ppm, d1 2.32 ppm, and d 2 2.08) in the liver throughout the study. Based on these data, vitamin A and E concentrations in liver and serum samples are stable for up to 2 days after being stored in a cooler with ice packs at room temperature.
PSII-18 Chemical Composition of Cassava-Based Feed Ingredients from South-East Asia
Authors: Fanelli Natalia dos Santos , Torres-Mendoza Leidy J , Abelilla Jerubella J , Stein Hans H
Published: October 2023

Diet formulation in animal production has traditionally relied on a limited number of feed ingredients. Cassava is a starchy tuber crop grown in tropical and subtropical areas that can be used as an alternative ingredient in animal diets due to increasing cereal grain prices and their impact on feed costs. Therefore, information about the chemical composition of cassava-based feed ingredients is needed to formulate diets. The objective of this study was to determine the chemical composition of cassava-based feed ingredients and test the hypothesis that there is variation in chemical composition among cassava products originating from different South-East Asian countries. Sources of dried peeled cassava roots, unpeeled cassava roots, cassava chips, cassava meal, high ash cassava meal, and cassava residue were used. All ingredients were analyzed for dry matter, gross energy, N, amino acids (AA), acid hydrolyzed ether extract, ash, minerals, starch, insoluble dietary fiber, soluble dietary fiber, and total dietary fiber. Peeled cassava roots, unpeeled cassava roots, cassava chips, and cassava meal were also analyzed for sugars. Data were analyzed by ANOVA to test statistical differences among all cassava-based ingredients, and an alpha value of 0.05 was used to assess significance among means. Results indicated that high ash cassava meal had greater (P < 0.05) dry matter and ash, but less (P < 0.05) starch and gross energy than all other cassava products (Table 1). Peeled cassava roots, unpeeled cassava roots, and cassava chips had greater (P < 0.05) starch than the other cassava ingredients. Cassava residue had greater (P < 0.05) Lys, insoluble, soluble, and total dietary fiber concentrations compared with the other cassava products, but Trp and Glu were greater (P < 0.05) in peeled cassava roots, cassava chips, and cassava meal samples compared with the other ingredients. The concentration of most minerals was greater (P < 0.05) in high ash cassava meal than in the other cassava products. In conclusion, cassava-based ingredients sold as peeled roots, unpeeled roots, chips, or meal have chemical compositions that are not different, and peeling seems to have little impact on chemical composition. High ash cassava meal has less nutritional quality compared with other cassava products due to low starch and gross energy. The high fiber content in cassava residue makes this ingredient more suitable for ruminants and sows than for younger pigs or poultry.
PSII-17 Evaluation of a Microencapsulated Form of Zinc Oxide on Weanling Pig Growth Performance and Zinc Excretion
Authors: Dahmer Payton L , Jones Cassandra K
Published: October 2023

A total of 300 pigs (DNA 200 × 400; 21 d of age; initially 6.04 ± 0.08 kg BW) were used in a 42-d experiment with 12 replications per treatment. At weaning, pigs were randomly allotted to one of five dietary treatments: 1) negative control (standard nursery diet containing 110 ppm Zn from trace mineral premix; NC); 2) control diet with 3,000 ppm added Zn in the form of ZnO in phase 1 and 2,000 ppm added Zn in the form of ZnO in phase 2 (High-ZnO); 3) control diet with 400 ppm added Zn in the form of ZnO in phases 1 and 2 (Low-ZnO); 3) 3,000 ppm added Zn in the form of microencapsulated ZnO in phase 1 and 2,000 ppm added Zn in the form of microencapsulated ZnO in phase 2 (High-MZnO); 5) 400 ppm added Zn in the form of microencapsulated ZnO in phases 1 and 2 (Low-MZnO). All diets included titanium dioxide at 0.40% as an indigestible marker to determine fecal zinc excretion. Pigs were fed treatment diets from d 0 to d 28 and were then fed a common diet from d 28 to d 42. Pigs and feeders were weighed weekly to determine ADG, ADFI, and G:F. Fecal samples were collected from the same 3 pigs from every pen on d 10 and 28 to be analyzed for Zn concentration. No evidence of differences (P > 0.05) in growth performance were observed from d 0 to 7, but by the second week post-weaning pigs fed High-ZnO or High-MZnO had increased (P = 0.01) ADG compared with those fed Low-MZnO, which was driven by an improvement in feed intake (P = 0.04; Table 1). No evidence of differences were observed in ADG, ADFI, or G:F for the entire treatment period (d 0 to d 28; P > 0.05). During the common phase 3 (d 28 to 42) pigs fed the negative control, High-MZnO, or Low-MZnO had improved (P < 0.0001) ADG compared with pigs fed High- or Low-ZnO, which was driven by an increase in ADFI (P < 0.0001). Overall (d 0 to 42), pigs fed Low-ZnO or High-ZnO had reduced (P < 0.0001) ADG compared those fed the negative control. No evidence of differences (P > 0.05) in serum Zn were observed between dietary treatments. A significant treatment × day interaction (P = 0.04) was observed for fecal Zn concentrations, where pigs fed High-ZnO had greater fecal Zn concentrations on d 10 and d 28 compared with pigs fed all other treatments (Table 2). A microencapsulated form of ZnO yielded similar growth performance and less fecal Zn excretion than conventional ZnO immediately post-weaning, but was not different than a negative control.
PSIII-11 Evaluating the Effects of Benzoic Acid on Finishing Pig Growth Performance
Authors: Gaffield Katelyn , Woodworth Jason C , DeRouchey Joel M , Tokach Mike D , Goodband Robert D , Gebhardt Jordan T
Published: October 2023

Addition of acidifiers such as benzoic acid have shown to be effective at weaning due to limited HCl production in the stomach. With positive responses seen throughout the entire nursery period (approximately 25 kg), there is potential for this impact to carry over into the growing-finishing period. A total of 2,106 pigs (PIC 337 × 1050, Hendersonville, TN; initially 33.3 ± 1.91 kg) were used in a 101-d growth study to evaluate the effects of dietary benzoic acid level on commercial grow-finish pig growth performance and carcass characteristics. Pens of pigs (27 pigs per pen) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments with 13 pens per treatment. Dietary treatments were corn-soybean meal-DDGS-based with an inclusion of none, 0.25, or 0.50% benzoic acid (VevoVitall, DSM Nutritional Products, Parsippany, NJ). Diets were fed in 4 phases from 34 to 50, 50 to 75, 75 to 100, and 100 to 132 kg body weight. All treatments were formulated to meet or exceed NRC requirement estimates for growing-finishing pigs for their appropriate weight ranges. In the grower period (d 0 to 44), there were no evidence of differences (P > 0.10) for pigs fed increasing benzoic acid for any growth response criteria (Table 1). For the finisher period (d 44 to 101) and overall (d 0 to 101), increasing benzoic acid tended to increase ADFI (linear, P < 0.10) and decrease G:F (linear, P < 0.05). There was no evidence of differences in ADG (P > 0.10) for the overall experimental period. For carcass characteristics, no evidence of differences (P > 0.10) were observed for any response criteria. In conclusion, these data suggest that feeding benzoic acid in the grow-finish period had no impact on ADG, but tended to increase ADFI and worsen G:F without affecting carcass characteristics.
PSIII-16 Body Calcium and Phosphorus Mobilization of Sows During Lactation
Authors: Heurtault Julien , Lemée Thomas , Létourneau-Montminy Marie-Pierre , Schlegel Patrick
Published: October 2023

Considering the excess of phosphorus (P) as a fertilizer in some regions, optimizing its use by animals is crucial to reduce its excretion. During the production cycle of the sow, P and calcium (Ca) requirement are greatest in lactation. To satisfy P and Ca need for milk production, sows have Ca and P available from dietary intake, but may also mobilize Ca and P from bone reserves. If that is the case, considering bone mobilization during lactation would be an opportunity to reduce dietary P intake. However, to our knowledge, bone mobilization in lactating sows is not well documented because of the difficulty in measuring it. With the use of X-ray technology to determine body composition on live animals, this subject can now be studied. Thus, the objective of this experiment was to quantify the body mineral mobilization during lactation for sows up to 3rd parity using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA, i-DXA, GE Medical Systems, Glattbrugg, Switzerland) to obtain whole body bone mineral content (BMC) and whole-body lean and fat tissue mass. Eighteen Swiss Large White sows were scanned on day 2 and 26 (weaning) after parturition. The lactation diet was formulated to meet nutritional requirements; parity 1 [digestible energy (DE): 12.1 MJ, digestible P (DigP): 3.0 g, Ca: 9.0 g /kg], parity 2 and 3 (DE: 14.1 MJ, DigP: 2.8 g, Ca: 8.0 g /kg). Whole body P and Ca contents were calculated from lean tissue mass and BMC obtained by DXA. Bone mineral mobilization (BMCMOB, g), body phosphorus mobilization (PMOB, g) and body calcium mobilization (CaMOB, g) were calculated as the difference in BMC, body P and body Ca between day 26 and day 2. Piglets were weighed at farrowing and weaning and the average daily gain per piglet (PigletADG, kg/d) and the birth weight of litter (LitterBW, kg) were calculated. The mean body composition was on day 2: BMC, 5,810 ± 1082 g; P, 1,344 ± 207 g; Ca, 2,362 ± 440 g and on day 26: BMC, 5,093 ± 1,001 g; P, 1,228 ± 198 g; Ca: 2,070 ± 407 g. The pigletADG was 0.24 ± 0.05 kg/d and LitterBW was 18.5 ± 2.47 kg. The prediction equations for BMCMOB and body Ca and P during lactation are presented in Table 1. The best predictor was PigletADG and for body P, LitterBW also tended to be an influencing factor. This study allowed to quantify the P and Ca mobilization of the sow during lactation. Next step will be to evaluate the impact of dietary supply on this mobilization to then integrate it in requirement models.
PSIII-4 Effect of Two Torula Yeast Sources on Growth Performance, Intestinal Health, and Immune Function of Weanling Pigs
Authors: Espinosa Charmaine D , Stein Hans H
Published: October 2023

An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that dietary inclusion of either a conventional or a novel source of torula yeast in diets for weanling pigs improves growth performance and intestinal health. The novel torula yeast was produced using forestry byproducts (i.e., wood hydrolysate) as the carbon source, whereas the conventional torula yeast was produced using wheat dextrose as the carbon source. A total of 120 weanling pigs (6.53 ± 0.78 kg) were allotted to three treatments with four pigs per pen and ten replicate pens per diet. Pigs were fed one of three diets from d 1 to 14 post-weaning (phase 1), whereas all pigs were fed a common diet in phase 2 (d 15 to 28). The three dietary treatments included a control diet that contained 5% fishmeal, 3.5% plasma protein, and no torula yeast. The second diet contained 1.5% fishmeal, 14% of the novel torula yeast, and no plasma protein, whereas the third diet contained 1.5% fishmeal, 14% of the conventional torula yeast, and no plasma protein. Pig weights were recorded on d 1, d 14, and d 28. Feed allotments were recorded daily, and feed left in the feeders was recorded on d 14 and 28 to calculate average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and average gain to feed ratio. Fecal scores were visually assessed every other day. On d 7, one pig per pen was euthanized to collect ileal tissue for assessment of morphology. At the end of phases 1 and 2, blood samples were collected, and cytokines, plasma urea nitrogen, peptide YY, immunoglobulin G, total protein, and albumin were analyzed. Data were analyzed using an ANOVA in the Mixed Procedure of SAS with pen as the experimental unit. Diet was the fixed effect, whereas weaning weight was the random effect. Results indicated that both sources of torula yeast could replace fish meal and plasma protein without negatively affecting overall growth performance, intestinal morphology, or blood characteristics of pigs (Table 1). Pigs fed one of the diets containing torula yeast had reduced (P < 0.05) fecal scores during phase 1 compared with pigs fed the control diet. On d 14, pigs fed the conventional torula yeast diet had greater (P < 0.05) concentration of interleukin-2 in plasma compared with pigs fed the control diet. Greater (P < 0.05) concentrations of interleukin-4 and interleukin-10 were observed in plasma from pigs fed one of the diets containing torula yeast compared with pigs fed the control diet on d 14. In conclusion, inclusion of either a conventional or a novel source of torula yeast at the expense of animal proteins in diets for weanling pigs may improve intestinal health without influencing growth performance of weanling pigs.