bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
246 Evaluation of the Complete Replacement of Soybean Meal by Rapeseed Meal on Performance and Carcass Composition of Grow-Finishing Pigs
Authors: Aymerich Pau , Soldevila Carme , Bonet Jordi , Gasa Josep , Coma Jaume , Solà-Oriol David
Published: October 2023

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of replacing soybean meal (SBM) by rapeseed meal (RSM) as main protein source in diets for grow-finishing pigs. The trial included a total of 1,248 crossbred boars and gilts [Pietrain x (Landrace x Large White), with an initial body weight (BW) of 38.3 ± 5.29 kg (Mean ± SD)], distributed in 96 pens of 13 pigs. Pens were randomly distributed in 2 dietary treatments, balanced by BW, block and sex within each of the 8 slurry pits. The inclusion of SBM and RSM in the growing diets was 13.8% and 20.0%, whereas in the finishing diets (days 52-91) was 10.5% and 14.4%, respectively. Diets were formulated to have the same net energy (NE) value and crude protein differences were below 0.5%. To achieve isoenergetic diets, the inclusion of animal fat was increased by 2.4% and 1.7% in RSM diets compared with SBM for the growing and finishing phases, respectively. Standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys was kept at 0.95% and 0.86% in the growing and finishing phases, respectively. Performance variables were analyzed by using a linear mixed model with treatment and sex as fixed effects and initial BW as covariate, while pit was included as a random effect. Individual carcass data were analyzed in a linear mixed model with treatment, sex and marketing group as fixed effects, and hot carcass weight as a covariate, and pen within a pit as random effect. During the growing phase, pigs showed lower ADFI when fed the RSM diet (1.68 vs. 1.62 kg; P = 0.002) that resulted in decreased ADG (0.842 vs. 0.803 kg; P = 0.015), but FCR was not affected (2.00 vs. 2.02; P = 0.459). Contrarily, in the finishing phase, ADFI was not significantly reduced (1.98 vs. 1.95 kg; P = 0.586) but less FCR was observed when feeding RSM (2.59 vs. 2.49; P = 0.007). Final BW was not significantly affected (112.0 vs. 110.7 kg; P = 0.404), but hot carcass weight tended to be less in RSM fed pigs (92.2 vs. 91.3 kg; P = 0.078). No significant differences were reported on carcass yield (P = 0.815), carcass leanness (P = 0.850) or backfat thickness (P = 0.850). In conclusion, feeding growing pigs diets without SBM might negatively affect their performance during the growing phase, but those effects can be partly counteracted in the finishing phase without modifying carcass composition.
237 Effects of Increasing Soybean Meal and Valine:Lysine and Tryptophan:Lysine Ratios on Finishing pig Performance
Authors: Reeb Macie E , Faccin Jamil , Goodband Robert D , Woodworth Jason C , DeRouchey Joel M , Tokach Mike D , Gebhardt Jordan T
Published: October 2023

A total of 621 pigs (DNA 241 × 600; initially 62.9 kg) were used in a 65-day growth trial to determine the effect of increasing soybean meal (SBM) and Val:Lys and Trp:Lys (AA) ratios on finishing pig performance. Experimental diets were corn-soybean meal-based containing 25% DGGS and fed in 3 phases. The 6 dietary treatments were arranged in a 3 × 2 factorial, with main effects of SBM level (Low, Medium, High) and AA ratios (Standard, High). Ratios of Trp:Lys were: Phase 1: Standard 19, High 24%, Phase 2: Standard 19, High 23%, and Phase 3: Standard 19, High 23%. Ratios of Val:Lys were: Phase 1: Standard 70 to 83, High 87 to 88%, Phase 2: Standard 70 to 83, High 88%, and in Phase 3: Standard 76 to 96, High 96%. The additional amino acids provided by increasing levels of SBM in diets with standard AA ratios were expected to result in a greater ADG by balancing out the increased leucine from corn. Conversely, ADG was expected to stay the same as SBM increased when the Val:Lys and Trp:Lys ratios were increased. Pens of pigs were assigned to treatments in a randomized complete block design with BW as a blocking factor. There were approximately 10 pigs per pen and 12 pens per treatment. No evidence (P > 0.05) of SBM × AA ratio interactions or treatment differences was observed for any response criteria for phases 1 and 2 (Table). In phase 3, a marginally significant SBM × AA ratio interaction was observed for ADG (P = 0.084). The medium level of SBM with standard AA ratios resulted in greater ADG compared with other SBM levels (quadratic, P = 0.003), whereas no differences in ADG were observed with increasing SBM when Val:Lys and Trp:Lys ratios were increased (P = 0.501). Additionally, G:F increased at the medium level of SBM in phase 3 (quadratic, P = 0.007). In spite of the improvements observed in phase 3, there were no significant differences (P > 0.10) observed in overall ADG or ADFI. A marginally significant SBM × AA ratio interaction was observed for overall G:F (P = 0.052). Increasing SBM in diets with greater Val:Lys and Trp:Lys ratios resulted in decreased G:F (P = 0.049), whereas no difference in G:F was observed with increasing SBM in diets with standard AA ratios (P = 0.435). In conclusion, in early finishing there were no responses to increasing SBM; however, in the late finishing period when diets included 0, 4 or 8% SBM, pigs fed 4% SBM diets with standard Val:Lys and Trp:Lys ratios had increased ADG and G:F. Throughout the study, increasing Val:Lys and Trp:Lys ratios had little effect on pig performance.
155 Efficacy of a Bacterial 6-Phytase on Apparent Total Tract Digestibility of Nutrients and Retention of Phosphorus of Nursery and Growing Pigs
Authors: Moita Vitor Hugo C , Jang Ki Beom , Kim Sung Woo
Published: October 2023

This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of a bacterial 6-phytase on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients and retention of phosphorus (P) in nursery and growing pigs. In experiment (Exp.) 1, twelve barrows (initial BW of 8.5 ± 0.3 kg) were individually housed in metabolism crates and were allotted based on a quadruplicate 3 × 3 Latin square design with three treatments and three periods. In Exp. 2, twelve barrows (initial BW of 35.7 ± 1.9 kg) were individually housed in metabolism crates and were allotted following the same experimental design of Exp. 1. The dietary treatments were: positive control (PC): a diet formulated meeting nutrient requirements from NRC (2012); negative control (NC): a diet 0.14% deficient in the Ca and P requirements; and a diet with bacterial 6-phytase at 500 FTU/kg of feed (PHY; Rovabio PhyPlus, Adisseo, France). Each period lasted for eight days, and consisted of a 4-day adaptation period and a 4-day collection period. All pigs were weighed at the end of each period to adjust daily feed allowance. Chromium oxide, at 0.5%, was added as an external marker indicating the start and end of fecal collection. Urine and fecal samples were collected daily and stored until further chemical analysis. Data from both experiments were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4. Treatments were considered fixed effects, and the individual pig and period were included as random effects. In both experiments, the ATTD of Ca and P, and P retention in PC were greater (P < 0.05) compared with NC. Supplementation of bacterial 6-phytase improved (P < 0.05) ATTD of Ca (45 to 57%) and P (31 to 45%) and P retention (31 to 43%) in nursery pigs, and ATTD of P (44 to 55%) and P retention (42 to 54%) in growing pigs. No differences were detected on the ATTD of DM and CP of nursery and growing pigs among the treatments, and on nitrogen (N) retention for growing pigs. In conclusion, the supplementation of a bacterial 6-phytase improved the ATTD and retention of P in nursery and growing pigs. Results from both experiments indicated that the supplementation of a bacterial 6-phytase in diets for nursery and growing pigs can be a potential alternative to reduce the high levels of inorganic P sources, whereas still increasing the digestibility and utilization of P by nursery and growing pigs.
221 Assessment of Modern Gilts and Sows Body Weight (BW) Throughout Gestation and how Different Gilt BW at Breeding Impact the Energy Requirement for Maintenance at Each Parity
Authors: Orlando Uislei A , Vier Carine M , Navales Ron A , Silva Gefferson , Thomas Lori , Lu Ning , Montoro Jordi Camp , Cast Wayne R , Dritz Steve
Published: October 2023

In addition to reproductive traits, growth, robustness, and carcass traits also contribute to the selection index of maternal lines, resulting in leaner and faster-growing modern genotype females. As a consequence, today’s gilts achieve heavier BW at a similar breeding age and remain heavier throughout their lifetime. Larger and heavier females are expected to have increased energy requirements for maintenance (MEm). Our objective was to describe the BW change of females across gestation according to the parity category and assess the impacts of the increasing average BW of gilts at breeding on the MEm requirement throughout their productive life. Two datasets were used to estimate gilt and sow BW:1) 1,903 PIC Camborough gilts were weighed at breeding and at d 112 of each gestation from parity 0-3; 2) 1,150 PIC Camborough gilts and sows (ranging from parity 0-12) were weighed at d 4 and d 112 within one gestation (Thomas et al., 2018). Average maternal BW gain observed between each cycle were +31, +28, +19, -7, +6, +5, and +11kg for parities 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7+, respectively. Growth of females throughout each stage of gestation was estimated assuming that 30% of the BW gain occurred until d 60, and 70% from d 61-112. A quadratic equation was fit to describe the BW change as a function of the day of gestation for each parity category (Table 1). An equation to estimate the maternal net gain in each cycle (Gain, kg = 0.5357 ′ parity2 – 8.8929 ′ parity + 35.857) was used to determine the BW of the female at weaning based on gilt BW at breeding. Different gilt BW at breeding (144, 155, and 166 kg) were simulated to estimate the estimated sow BW and their MEm at each parity category across gestation. The MEm was calculated according to NRC (2012) model, and a feeding level of 5.9 Mcal of ME/d was assumed. When gilt BW at breeding is 144 kg, it is estimated that only parity 4+ females would be fed below maintenance from d 90-112 of gestation (Figure 1). Increasing average gilt BW at breeding to 155 kg would result in P5+ sows fed below maintenance throughout gestation, P4 sows fed below maintenance from d 30 of gestation, and P2 and P3 sows fed below maintenance from d 9 0 to 112. At 166kg of gilt BW at breeding, P4+ females would be fed below maintenance throughout gestation, P2 and P3 sows would be fed below maintenance in mid and late gestation, and P1 sows would be fed below maintenance in late gestation. In summary, increased growth rates in maternal lines may result in heavier gilts at breeding who become heavier sows in subsequent parities, leading to increased energy intake during gestation to meet the maintenance demand.
207 Effects of Crude Protein and Non-Essential Amino Acids Supplementation on Growth Performance and Gut Health of Nursery Pigs
Authors: Correia Amanda Medeiros , Kim Sung Woo , Duarte Marcos Elias , Rocha Gabriel C
Published: October 2023

This study investigated the effect of crude protein (CP) and non-essential amino acids (NEAA) supplementation on growth performance and gut health of nursery pigs. Weaned pigs (n = 90; 22 days old; 7.5 ± 0.7 kg BW; AGPIC 415 × Camborough) barrows and gilts, were distributed in a randomized complete block design (BW as block) to three dietary treatments fed for 14 days: 1) 24% CP, 2) 18% CP, and 3) 18% CP + NEAA, including 5 g/kg L-arginine and 10 g/kg L-glutamate + L-glutamine (AminoGut, Ajinomoto, São Paulo, Brazil). There were 10 replicates per treatment and three pigs per pen. A corn-soybean meal-based diet was formulated to have 3,400 kcal/kg of metabolizable energy and 1.45 g/kg of standardized ileal digestible lysine. Crystalline amino acids, L-Lys, L-Thr, DL-Met, L-Trp, L-Val, L-Ile, L-His, and L-Leu were used (if necessary) to satisfy the ideal amino acid profile according to the Brazilian Tables for Poultry and Swine (Rostagno et al., 2017). On day 14, pigs were weighed and then euthanized to collect duodenum, jejunum, and ileum tissue. Growth performance, diarrhea incidence, intestinal morphology, goblet cells, and Peyer’s patches were evaluated. Data were analyzed using the Mixed procedure in SAS 9.4 and means were compared by Tukey’s test. Pigs fed 24% CP diet had improved (P < 0.05) G:F compared with 18% CP and 18% CP + NEAA (Table 1). There was no effect (P > 0.05) of dietary treatments on ADFI, ADG, BW, and diarrhea incidence. In the duodenum, pigs fed 18% CP + NEAA diets had greater (P < 0.05) villus height compared with the 24% CP and 18% CP (427 to 381 and 383 µm). Moreover, goblet cells proportion in pigs fed 24% CP and 18% CP + NEAA diets were greater (P < 0.05) than that of 18% CP (53.2 and 53.4 to 45.3%). In the jejunum, pigs fed 18% CP + NEAA diet had reduced (P < 0.05) crypt depth than those fed 24% CP (161 and 141 µm), whereas pigs fed 18% CP presented intermediate results (144 µm). In the ileum, pigs fed the 24% CP diets presented a greater (P < 0.05) number of Peyer’s patches compared with 18% CP and 18% CP + NEAA (48 to 38 and 41 units). In conclusion, nursery pigs fed 24% CP diets presented improved G:F compared with those fed 18% CP or 18% CP + NEAA. However, pigs fed the 18% + NEAA diets presented better gut health compared with 24% CP or 18% CP.
314 Maxwell Lecture: Role of Amino Acids and Protein in Health-Challenged Nursery Pigs
Authors: Columbus Daniel A
Published: October 2023

The post-weaning period is a critical time in the life of a pig with both short- and long-term consequences for productivity and health. Nutrition has a vital role in this transition period and, as with swine production as a whole, the focus is largely on maximizing growth performance. However, feeding programs also need to account for immature and developing gastrointestinal and immune systems in the newly-weaned pig. In examining the impact of nutrition on gastrointestinal and immune health, it has become evident that protein and amino acids have a vital role. While protein and amino acids are needed to meet requirements for growth, excess protein can predispose pigs to post-weaning diarrhea, thought to be the result of fermentation of undigested protein and proliferation of enteric pathogens. In addition, the source of protein may also have a significant impact on performance and health of nursery pigs. Traditionally, amino acid requirements, and thus dietary inclusion, have been based on maximizing growth performance. It has become evident that the requirements of some amino acids may differ when based on development of the gastrointestinal tract and during times of immune stimulation, such as during disease challenge. The inclusion of some amino acids, such as methionine, threonine, and tryptophan, above the requirements for growth have been shown to improve performance, intestinal health, and immune status in weaned pigs under enteric pathogen challenge. Nursery diet formulations should account for the role of nutrients not only for maximizing growth performance but optimizing gastrointestinal health and immune status including adjustments to protein content and source and amino acid requirements.
231 Efficacy of Mycotoxin Mitigation Product Containing Yeast Extract on Intestinal Health and Growth of Newly Weaned Pigs Under Chronic Dietary Challenges of Fumonisin and Aflatoxin
Authors: Deng Zixiao , Jang Ki Beom , Kim Sung Woo
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of mycotoxin mitigation product containing yeast extract on intestinal health and growth of newly weaned pigs under chronic dietary challenges of fumonisin and aflatoxin. Newly weaned pigs (n = 48; 21 days old; 6.4 ± 0.3 kg BW) were allotted to 4 treatments based on randomized complete block design with initial BW and sex as blocks and fed for 32 d in 3 phases (P1/2/3 for 11/11/10 days, respectively). Dietary treatments were CON: control diet containing conventional corn; MT: CON with naturally contaminated corn (fumonisin at 8 mg/kg and aflatoxin at 0.19 mg/kg); CD1: MT with 0.2% of mycotoxin mitigation product (BG-MAX, Church & Dwight, Trenton, NJ); and CD2: MT with 0.4% of mycotoxin mitigation product. All diets were formulated to meet the nutrient requirements suggested by NRC (2012). At the end of study, all pigs were euthanized to collect jejunal tissues to measure TNF-α, IL-8, Immunoglobulins (IgG and IgA), malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl, and gene expression of tight junction proteins. Data were analyzed using MIXED procedure in SAS. Pigs in MT had less (P < 0.05) ADFI (406 to 503 g/d) and tended to have less (P = 0.051) BW (15.2 to 17.1 kg) and (P = 0.050) ADG (281 to 340 g/d) compared with CON during overall period. Pigs in MT had a lower (P < 0.05) G:F (0.22 to 0.74) and tended to have a greater (P = 0.071) fecal score (4.34 to 3.93) during phase 1. Increasing supplementation of mycotoxin mitigation product tended to linearly increase (P = 0.056) BW (15.2 to 17.0 kg), (P = 0.060) ADG (281 to 337 g/d), and (P = 0.066) ADFI (406 to 478 g/d) of the pigs during overall period. Increasing supplementation of mycotoxin mitigation product tended to linearly increase (P = 0.064) G:F (0.22 to 0.73) during phase 1. Increasing supplementation of mycotoxin mitigation product linearly decreased (P < 0.05) fecal score (4.34 to 3.87, 3.30 to 2.86) during phase 1 and 2. Increasing supplementation of mycotoxin mitigation product tended to linearly increase (P = 0.050) the concentration of TNF-α (5.49 to 7.11 pg/mg of protein) and decrease (P = 0.060) the concentration of IgA (6.29 to 3.23 mg/mg) in jejunum of the pigs. Increasing supplementation of mycotoxin mitigation product tended to linearly increase (P = 0.082) CL-1 expression (1.01 to 1.78) in jejunum of the pigs. In conclusion, supplementation of mycotoxin mitigation product containing yeast extract could mitigate the detrimental effects of mycotoxins on growth performance of newly weaned pigs, which might be contributed by improved the integrity and positively modulated immune response in the jejunum.
227 Varying the Acid Biding Capacity of High and ZnO-Free Diets Influences Weanling Pig Growth Performance
Authors: Gutierrez Nestor A , Mcknight Leslie L , Powell Christopher , Agyekum Atta Kofi , Simard Francis , Decaluwe Ruben , Han Yanming , Jaworski Neil W , Abedin Mohsen
Published: October 2023

Altering the acid binding capacity to pH4 (ABC-4) of the weanling pig diet can influence stomach pH, thereby aiding in protein digestion and improving feed efficiency. Two studies examined the effect of ABC-4 level in diets of either high ZnO or without ZnO on the growth performance of nursery pigs. Both trials were randomized complete block designs, where body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain to feed (G:F) were measured. Data were analyzed using pen and pig as experimental units for the first and second study, respectively. In the first study, weanling pigs (n = 1,152) were allocated to 4 dietary treatments with 18 replicate pens per treatment. Treatments were applied in phase 1 (1-10 d) and 2 (11-21 d), and pigs received a common phase 3 (22-42 d) diet. All diets contained high ZnO (2,500ppm and 1,500ppm phase 1 and 2, respectively). The control diet (CON) had no acidifiers resulting in 400 mEq ABC-4/kg, and treatments ranged from 360 to 300 mEq/kg using Ca formate and formic acid alone or in combination. In the first week, G:F of pigs fed the test diets was greater than in the CON diet (+0.09-0.15 g/g, P < 0.05). In phase 2, pigs fed diets containing formic acid (300 mEq ABC-4/kg) had reduced ADFI (-15 g/d from CON, P < 0.05). Conversely, pigs fed Ca formate and formic acid (300 mEq ABC-4) had greater ADFI (+16 g/d, P < 0.05) and a tendency for greater G:F than CON (+0.02, P < 0.10). Pigs fed a diet containing Ca formate only (360 mEq ABC-4/kg) had a greater G:F (+0.03, P < 0.05) yet comparable feed intake to CON. In the second 42-day study, weanling pigs (n = 120) housed in pens with individual electronic feeding stations (10 pigs/pen), were randomized to 6 ZnO-free treatments, totaling 20 replicate pigs per treatment. The ABC-4 was linearly reduced from 450 to 200 mEq/kg using fumaric acid and shifting Ca sources from Ca carbonate to monocalcium phosphate and monodicalcium phosphate. In phase 1 (0-15d), pigs had greatest ADFI (P < 0.05) and G:F (P < 0.05) at 300 and 350 mEq ABC-4/kg, respectively, and east ADFI at 200 mEq ABC-4/kg (greatest fumaric acid inclusion) and 450 mEq ABC-4/kg (no acidifier). Overall, pigs fed the 300 mEq ABC-4/kg diet had the greatest (P < 0.05) BW, ADG, and ADFI while pigs fed the 350 mEq ABC-4/kg diet had the greatest G:F. Pigs fed the 450 mEq ABC-4/kg diet had the lowest BW, ADG, ADFI, and G:F. In conclusion, reducing the ABC-4 of ZnO and ZnO-free diets using a combination of acidifiers and/or calcium sources improved feed efficiency of weanling pigs. But a greater inclusion of acidifiers may reduce ADFI.
232 Evaluation of Clay-Based Binders and in-Feed Antimicrobial on Growth Performance and Biological Measurements in Nursery Pigs
Authors: Becker Larissa L , Gebhardt Jordan T , Tokach Mike D , Goodband Robert D , DeRouchey Joel M , Woodworth Jason C , Amachawadi Raghavendra G , Kalam Ramya , Shi Xiaorong , Nagaraja T G G
Published: October 2023

AbstractBarrows (n = 360; 200×400, DNA; initial BW = 6.5 ± 0.04 kg) were used in a 42-day study to evaluate clay-based binders or an in-feed antimicrobial on growth performance and biological measurements including fecal and blood analysis in nursery pigs. Pigs were weaned at approximately 21-day of age and randomly allotted to 1 of 4 dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. There were 5 pigs per pen and 18 replications per treatment. Dietary treatments were corn-soybean meal-based and fed in two phases from d 0 to 9 (Phase 1) and 9 to 21 (Phase 2) after weaning. Either clay-binders (Proteck, 0.40% of the diet; Nutriquest, Mason City, IA; Protect-8 Plus, 0.10% of the diet; Essential Ag Solutions, Sioux Falls, SD), or an antimicrobial (0.04% of the diet; Avilamycin (Kavault); Elanco, Greenfield, IN) were added to the control diet to create the experimental treatments. A common phase 3 diet was fed to all pigs from d 21 to 42. Overall (d 0 to 42), pigs fed Avilamycin had increased (P < 0.05) final BW, ADG and ADFI compared with all other treatments. There was evidence that frequency of fecal scores with softer feces increased over time (P < 0.001), with d 21 having the greatest frequency of diarrhea and soft feces (Table). Fecal E. coli colony count was less (P < 0.001) on d 21 compared with d 9 (2.04 vs. 4.03 Log10, respectively). For fecal myeloperoxidase (MPO), concentrations were less (P < 0.05) on d 21 compared with d 6 and 9 (0.014, 0.059, and 0.045 nmole∙min-1∙mL-1, respectively). For fecal DM, pigs fed Avilamycin had decreased (P < 0.05) DM percentage compared with all other treatments. Fecal DM percentage was greater (P < 0.05) on d 6 and 9 compared with d 21 (26.64, 27.63, and 24.88%, respectively). Correlation coefficients were used to further characterize the relationships between biological measurements in the nursery period. There was a strong negative correlation between fecal DM and score (P < 0.001) on d 6, 9, and 21 indicating that as fecal DM increased, the score became closer to 0, representing a firmer fecal sample. Fecal DM on d 6 and fecal DM on d 9 were negatively correlated with ADG from d 0 to 9 meaning that as growth rate increased, fecal DM decreased. In summary, pigs fed Avilamycin had increased BW, ADG, and ADFI compared with those fed the 2 clay-based additives or the control diet. There were no treatment effects on fecal score, fecal MPO, or blood measurements. However, fecal consistency was softer and fecal E. coli colony count and MPO had lower concentrations on d 21 compared with samples collected earlier in the nursery phase.
254 Mineral Source Matters for Cartilage Development to Support Structural Integrity
Authors: Wedekind Karen J , Cushing Joe , Foran Chelsie , Acosta Jesus A , Chen Juxing , Vazquez Mercedes
Published: October 2023

Lameness is a welfare issue generally associated with increased growth rate. Objectives of this study were to 1) compare efficacy of inorganic (ITM) and organic trace mineral (OTM) sources on lameness incidence and effects on bone and cartilage biomarkers, and 2) determine if the biologically relevant biomarkers were detectable in saliva. Dietary treatments were fed for 70 d and included: 1) ITM sulfates, Zn-Cu-Mn supplemented at 120-20-40 mg/kg diet, and three OTMs supplemented at 80-10-20 Zn-Cu-Mn mg/kg diet, respectfully. The OTM treatments included a non-specific amino acid complex (Trt 2 – OTM complex), a glycinate (Trt 3 - OTM glycinate), and a metal methionine hydroxy analogue chelate (Trt 4 – OTM MMHAC) supplied as MINTREX trace minerals (Novus International, Inc., St Charles, MO). The study consisted of 144 barrows (56 kg initial BW; 36 pigs/trt; 18 pigs/pen on slatted concrete floors). A source of ractopamine hydrochloride (10 mg/kg) was fed the last 28 d of the trial to induce increased growth rate. Measurements included gait scoring (0-4; GS ≥ 2 defined as lame) and serum and saliva bone synthesis (osteocalcin), bone degradation (CTX1) and cartilage synthesis (P2CP), and cartilage degradative biomarkers (CTX2, C2C) and synthesis:degradation ratios measured at baseline, d 7, d 36 and d 70. Individual biomarkers were logarithmically transformed (base 10). Proc Mixed GLM procedure of SAS was performed on log-transformed data and means were determined using LSD test. Nonparametric comparisons (% lameness) were tested using Chi-squared analysis. A P-value < 0.05 was considered significant and P ≤ 0.10, a trend. As shown in Table, 1, lameness incidence was greatest for pigs fed ITM and OTM glycinate which was greater than OTM complex and MMHAC (P = 0.10). In general, there was good agreement between serum and saliva biomarkers, with pigs fed MMHAC having the greatest serum bone synthesis biomarker (osteocalcin) which differed from pigs fed OTM complex (P < 0.05). Cartilage synthesis concentrations (P2CP (serum and saliva); and P2CP/C2C and P2CP/CTX2 ratios (saliva) were also greatest for pigs fed MMHAC trace minerals (P < 0.05). Neither bone nor cartilage biomarkers were different between pigs fed ITM and OTM complex or glycinate. Osteocalcin was 10-fold less in saliva compared with serum. No treatment differences were observed in saliva for bone synthesis. The results demonstrated trace mineral source matters with respect to structural health. Significant differences between OTM sources were observed with MMHAC resulting in the highest bone and cartilage synthesis biomarker concentrations in serum and highest biomarkers for cartilage synthesis and synthesis:degradation ratios in saliva. Saliva appears to be a sensitive medium for measuring joint health biomarkers.
250 The Impact of Increasing Levels of Dried Distillers Grains and Solubles on Finishing Pig Performance
Authors: Stephenson Ethan , Mauch-Swinford Emily , McNeil Brady , Mainquist-Whigham Christine , Schneider Jason
Published: October 2023

Due to ethanol plants continuing to be more efficient extracting corn oil out of dried distillers grains and solubles (DDGS), it is necessary to understand how pigs are utilizing the energy in diets with increasing levels of current DDGS. A total of 1,120 finishing pigs (DNA 600 x 241, initially 17.5 kg) were used in a 120-day experiment to evaluate the effects of DDGS on growth performance from approximately 8 to 25 weeks of age. Dietary treatments consisted of a corn and soybean meal-based diet with either 0, 10, 20, 30, or 40% DDGS. Pigs were fed a seven-phase finishing diet program to meet their nutritional requirements. Dietary energy was allowed to fluctuate with changing levels of DDGS while maintaining a constant SID lysine to calorie ratio. Pens of pigs were randomly allotted to 1 of the 5 treatments, with 32 pigs per pen and 7 replicates per treatment. Sex was equally represented in each pen. Pigs were harvested (average final BW of 127 kg) at a commercial facility. Data were modeled in R (R Core Team, 2020) to test for both linearity and non-linear responses to DDGS levels in the diet. Models included DDGS treatment and trial start weight and pen was the experiment unit. Traits analyzed included average daily gain (ADG, kg/d), Gain to Feed (G:F), average daily feed intake (ADFI, kg/d), hot carcass weight (kg) and carcass yield (%). All traits were found to have linear trends with increasing DDGS inclusion levels (Linear: P ≤ 0.02; Quadratic: P ≥ 0.29). Overall, there was a reduction in ADG as DDGS inclusion increased from 1.00 (± 0.01) with 0% DDGS to 0.96 (± 0.01) kg/day for 40% DDGS (P = 0.04). There was a decrease in gain to feed ratio (0.39 to 0.35) with increasing DDGS inclusion (P < 0.001). Hot carcass weight decreased with increased inclusion of DDGS from 97.25 to 93.39 kg (P = 0.001), while carcass yield was not significantly different across DDGS inclusion levels ranging from 75.3% to 74.7% for 0% and 40% DDGS inclusion (P = 0.2), respectively. These data indicate that increasing levels of DDGS reduce ADG, feed efficiency, and carcass weight.
279 Maternal Programming of the Piglet Microbiome Through Supplementation with a Yeast Feed Additive
Authors: Law Kayla , Johnston Lee J , Gomez Andres , Urriola Pedro E , Kiros Tadele G G , Loughmiller Joe
Published: October 2023

The objective of this study was to investigate effects of live yeast supplementation of sow diets during late gestation and lactation on sow reproductive performance and piglet microbiome development. Three dietary treatments were imposed on mixed-parity sows (n = 92) from three contemporary farrowing groups during late gestation and lactation. Dietary treatments were based upon the inclusion level (%) of Actisaf Sc47 in corn/soybean meal-based diets: Control (C, 0%), Low (L, 0.1%), and High (H, 0.5%). Sows were fed their assigned gestation diet (1.8 kg ∙animal-1∙day-1/) from days 85 to 110 of gestation. On day 111 of gestation, sows were fed their assigned lactation diet (3.6 kg/head/day) until parturition. Sows were allowed ad libitum access to their assigned lactation diet beginning day one postpartum until piglets were weaned. Fecal and vaginal swabs were collected from all sows on day 85 of gestation (T1-S) and the day before parturition (T2-S). Colostrum and milk samples were collected from 30 focal sows (10/treatment group), and fecal swabs were collected from 6 piglets per focal sow (n = 180) at 24 to 36 hours after birth (T1-P) and weaning (T2-P, ~19 days old). Extracted DNA from swab samples was sequenced on the MiSeq platform targeting the V4 variable region of the 16S rRNA bacterial gene, and sequence data were analyzed using DADA2 plus various packages within the R statistical software. Generalized linear mixed models were built for sow performance data using the R lme4 package, with treatment as a fixed effect, and farrowing group, parity, and sire as random effects. Piglet performance models also included sex as a fixed effect and maternal origin instead of sire as a random effect. No significant differences were observed among dietary treatment groups for gestation or lactation length, lactation feed intake, sow body weights, sow backfat depth, litter size at birth or weaning, pre-weaning piglet mortalities, or piglet growth performance. Although alpha and beta diversity did not differ among maternal dietary treatment groups in sow colostrum, milk, fecal, or vaginal samples (T1-S or T2-S), several taxa were significantly enriched or less abundant in sow samples based upon dietary yeast inclusion levels. Diversity of piglet fecal microbiomes was not different across maternal dietary treatment groups, but community composition was different at both time-points (T1-P: PERMANOVA, R2 = 0.13, P=0.02; T2-P: PERMANOVA, R2 = 0.01, P=0.048). These results indicate that yeast supplementation in sow diets in late gestation and lactation may influence development and composition of piglet gut microbiomes in early life.
289 Zinc Source and Genotype Influenced the Growth Rate and Carcass Characteristics of Commercially Housed Fattening Pigs
Authors: Mcknight Leslie L , Agyekum Atta Kofi , Simard Francis , Abedin Mohsen , Han Yanming
Published: October 2023

The study evaluated the effects of zinc source on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of commercially housed fattening pigs of different genotypes. The study design was a randomized complete block with 4 experimental treatments and 11 replicate pens per treatment (20 pigs/pen, 220 pigs/treatment). Treatments were arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial, with the factors genotype (“A” or “B”) and zinc source (inorganic, ZnO or hydroxychloride, IBZ). All pigs were fed the same feed budget: phase 1, 25 kg/pig; phase 2, 80 kg/pig; phase 3, 90 kg/pig; phase 4, 75 kg/pig. Diets were corn-soy, and the zinc was included in the micropremix to deliver a total of 100 ppm Zn from ZnO and 80 ppm Zn from IBZ. The genotypes evaluated were selected by the commercial facility. Body weight (BW) and feed disappearance of each pen were recorded every third week to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). In a subset of pigs, carcass cut-out measurements were obtained from the processor (80 pigs/treatment). Data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX in SAS according to a randomized design with factorial treatment arrangement. Zinc source influenced growth, with pigs fed IBZ having increased market BW (+0.7 kg, P < 0.05) and ADG (+15 g/d, P < 0.05), and a tendency for increased carcass weight (+0.6 kg, P = 0.08), compared with pigs fed ZnO. There were no interactions between genotype and zinc source for any growth or carcass variables. Genotype B pigs had increased market BW (+2.0 kg P < 0.05), ADG (+26 g/d, P < 0.05) and ADFI (+60 g/d, P < 0.05) than genotype A pigs. Furthermore, genotype B pigs had increased carcass weight (+0.9 kg, P < 0.05), carcass length (+0.2 inches, P < 0.05), belly weight (+220 g, P < 0.05) and decreased ham weight (-140 g, P < 0.05), muscle and fat depth (P < 0.05), compared with genotype A. Carcass quality metrics were also affected by genotype, where B pigs had decreased Minolta L (P < 0.05), firmer texture (P < 0.05), greater pH (P < 0.05) and less drip loss (-1%, P < 0.05) than genotype A. In conclusion, providing fattening pigs a hydroxychloride zinc source improved growth rate leading to heavier market BW and carcass weights compared with pigs fed ZnO irrespective of genotype. Genotype also significantly impacted growth rate, carcass characteristics and quality metrics.
287 The Effect of Greater Inclusion Levels of Ddgs with or without a Syncra SWI in Swine Grower-Finisher Diets on Performance and Economics
Authors: Bradley Casey L , Raath Jaco J , Pennicott Chantel , Rowland Mitchell , Van Deventer Myles , Steyn Willem J
Published: October 2023

To evaluate the effect of greater inclusion levels of DDGS with or without a Syncra SWI (SWI; bacillus plus protease; IFF, USA) in swine grower-finisher diets, a trial was conducted consisting of 528 pigs across 6 treatments with 8 replicates consisting of 11 pigs each where weights were balanced at the start of the trial. Inclusion levels of DDGS were 0%, 15%, and 30% all containing phytase and carbohydrase enzymes. Each inclusion level was split to include or not include SWI. At the end of the trial, slaughter weights were measured. While no significant differences were detected, the heaviest slaughter weights were observed in the 0% DDGS diet, 30% DDGS diet with SWI and the 0% DDGS diet with SWI (115.28, 115.16, and 115.15 kg, respectively). For total body weight gain, there were no significant differences between both 0% DDGS diets, the 15% DDGS diet without SWI, and both 30% diets. However, the 15% diet with SWI was significantly lighter than both 0% DDGS diets and the 30% DDGS with SWI diet (P = 0.01, 0.04, 0.008 respectively). Similarly, no significant differences were found between both of the 0% DDGS diets, the 15% DDGS diet without SWI, or both 30% DDGS diets on average daily gain. A significant difference was detected between the 15% DDGS with SWI and both 0% DDGS diets and the 30% DDGS diet with SWI (P = 0.002, 0.0003, and 0.001, respectively) on average daily gain. The lightest cold carcass weight was observed in pigs fed the 15% DDGS diet with SWI, which was significantly (P < 0.05) different from all other diets, while the heaviest cold carcass weight was observed in pigs fed the 0% DDGS diet with SWI (87.22 kg) followed by the 30% DDGS diet with SWI (86.53 kg) but were not significantly different. While there were no significant differences detected in the economics of the trial, the feed with the greatest cost was the 0% DDGS diet with SWI ($299.98) while the least cost was demonstrated in the 30% DDGS with SWI diet ($288.80). The diet that generated the highest revenue was the 0% DDGS diet with SWI ($124.89) followed by the 30% DDGS diet with SWI ($123.94) while the least revenue was seen in the 15% DDGS diet with SWI ($119.65). Margin over feed cost was greatest in the 15% DDGS diet ($66.87) and the 30% DDGS diet with SWI ($66.16) and the least MOFC was seen in the 0% DDGS diet. While no significant differences were detected in performance between the 0% DDGS diets and the 30% DDGS diets, these data shows there is a potential benefit to feeding greater inclusion DDGS diet if an SWI is added.
292 Effect of Providing Supplemental Milk and Liquid Starter Diet for 4 and 11 Days, Respectively, Post-Weaning on Feed Intake, Growth and Intestinal Structure and Function of Newly Weaned Piglets
Authors: Vasa Shiv R , Arnaud Elisa A , Gardiner Gillian E , O'Driscoll Keelin , Bee Giuseppe , Lawlor Peadar G
Published: October 2023

Reduced piglet feed intake, immediately post-weaning (PW), leads to disruption of the intestinal barrier, often resulting in health issues such as diarrhea. The objective was to evaluate the effect of providing supplemental milk and liquid starter diet for 4 and 11 days PW, respectively, on feed intake, growth, and intestinal structure and function of newly weaned piglets. Weaned piglets [n = 587 (Large White x Landrace) x Duroc; 28 days old] ) were divided into 59 pen groups each containing 9 to 10 same sex (entire male or female) piglets. The pen groups were blocked by sex and weaning weight and provided with ad libitum access to one of 5 dietary treatments: 1) Dry pelleted starter diet (control; CON); 2) CON + liquid milk replacer for 4 days (M4); 3) CON + liquid milk replacer for 11 days (M11); 4) CON + liquid starter diet for 4 days (S4) and 5) CON + liquid starter diet for 11 days (S11). Pen groups were weighed at weaning, days 11, 20 and 28 PW and feed disappearance (dry matter basis) was recorded on each weighing day. On day 7 PW, 10 piglets per treatment were euthanized to collect jejunal and ileal tissue samples. Villus height (VH), crypt depth and brush-border membrane (BBM) enzyme activity were determined from the tissue samples. Data were analysed with PROC MIXED (SAS-version 9.4, SAS Institute Inc.) with treatment as a fixed effect, block as a random effect, weaning weight as a co-variate and days PW as the repeated measure. Pen group was the experimental unit. From day 0 to 11 PW, M11 increased average daily gain (ADG) by 57% and average daily feed intake (ADFI) by 48% compared with CON (P < 0.05). M11 increased ADG by 54% and ADFI by 38% compared with S4 (P < 0.05) from day 0 to 11 PW. However, ADG and ADFI did not differ among treatment groups from day 11 to 28 PW. The treatments did not affect feed conversion ratio (P > 0.05) from day 0 to 28 PW. At day 7 PW, M11 piglets had 37% higher jejunal VH than CON piglets (P < 0.05) and S11 piglets had 28% higher ileal VH than S4 piglets (P < 0.05). The treatments did not affect crypt depth (P > 0.05). M11 piglets had up to 1.5-fold greater ileal sucrase activity compared with M4, S4 and S11 piglets (P < 0.05) and 1.8-fold greater ileal maltase activity compared with S4 piglets (P < 0.05). In conclusion, M11 and S11 reduced the negative effects of weaning, as they were associated with increased feed intake and growth in early PW. Offering feed in liquid form for longer than 4 days PW improved intestinal structure and increased BBM enzyme activity in newly weaned piglets.
294 Evaluation of Variation in Nursery Pig Growth Performance Utilizing Different Allotment Strategies
Authors: Jenkins Abigail K , Bromm Jenna J , Gebhardt Jordan T , Woodworth Jason C , Tokach Mike D , DeRouchey Joel M , Goodband Robert D
Published: October 2023

A total of 720 pigs (200×400, DNA) were used in two 42-day nursery trials (initial BW = 6.20 ± 0.12 kg and 5.63 ± 0.16 kg, respectively) to evaluate multiple strategies for allotting pigs to pens in research. At placement, the population was split into 3 cohorts with similar average BW and standard deviation. Each cohort was randomly assigned 1 of 3 allotment strategies. Strategy 1 (random) utilized a simple randomization strategy with each pig randomized to pen independent of all other pigs. Strategy 2 [bodyweight (BW) distribution] sorted each pig within the cohort into 1 of 5 BW groups. One pig from each weight group was then randomly assigned to pen, such that distribution of BW within pen was uniform across pens. Strategy 3 (BW grouping) sorted pigs within the cohort into 3 BW categories: light, medium, and heavy. Within each BW category, pigs were randomized to pen to create pens of pigs from each BW category. Within each experiment, there were 72 pens with 5 pigs per pen and 24 pens per allotment strategy. For all strategies, once pigs were allotted to pens, pens were allotted to 1 of 2 treatments for a concurrent trial. In Exp. 1, environmental enrichment using ropes tied near the pan of the feeder was compared with a control with no enrichment. In Exp. 2, treatment diets consisted of basal levels of Zn and Cu from the trace mineral premix for the duration of the study (110 and 17 mg/kg, respectively; NC), or diets (PC) with carbadox (50 g/ton; Mecadox, Phibro Animal Health, Teaneck, NJ) fed in phase 1 and 2, pharmacological levels of Zn and Cu (2,414 mg/kg Zn from ZnO; 168 mg/kg Cu from CuSO4) in phase 1 and only Cu (168 mg/kg Cu from CuSO4) in phase 2. There were no meaningful allotment × treatment interactions (P > 0.10) for either study (Table). In Exp. 1, there were no effects of environmental enrichment on growth performance (P > 0.10). In Exp. 2, pigs fed the PC diet had greater (P < 0.001) ADG, ADFI, G:F, and final BW compared with pigs fed the NC diet. The coefficient of variation (CV) within pen between all pens on that allotment strategy and for the entire population of that allotment strategy were calculated for both trials. For between-pen CV, pigs allotted using BW distribution and BW grouping strategies had the least CV at allotment and final weigh day in both trials. Results were used to estimate the replication required with each allotment strategy to obtain significant differences with different percentage responses. Fewer replications are required to discern significant differences in ADG when allotting pigs utilizing BW grouping. However, there is no meaningful difference between allotment strategies in replications required to detect significant differences for G:F.
304 Investigating the Impact of Fiber Type and Multicarbohydrase Supplementation on Nutrient Digestibility and Energy Balance of Gestating Sows
Authors: Crome Thomas A , Giesemann Mark A , Petry Amy L
Published: October 2023

Supplementing fiber-degrading enzymes in grow-finish pig diets has been shown to improve energy and nutrient digestibility. However, there is a paucity of research on their effectiveness in gestation diets. The experimental objective was to evaluate the efficacy of multicarbohydrase supplementation in the presence of soluble (20% sugar beet pulp) and insoluble (20% corn DDGS) dietary fiber sources on the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients and energy balance of sows at mid- and late-gestation. A total of 36 confirmed gestating sows (186 ± 4.6 kg BW) were blocked by parity randomly assigned to 1 of 4 diets (n = 8) in a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments on day 28 of gestation. Factors included fiber type of insoluble (IF; 16.91 IDF%) or soluble fiber (SF; 5.26 SDF%) and with (+) or without (-) enzyme supplementation (0.05%, Rovabio Advance P10; Adisseo, Antony, France). Diets were fed from day 28 to 109 of gestation at a feeding level of 2.1 kg (SID-Lys 11 g/d and 4.5 NE-Mcal/d). Diets contained 0.5% of TiO2. Two separate 9-d metabolism periods were conducted on days 50 to 59 (mid-) and 99 to 108 (late-) of gestation. During each period, days 1-3 served as an environmental adaptation period, days 4-7 total urine and feces were collected (96-h) and followed by a 48-h lactulose-mannitol study. Data were analyzed as repeated records using a linear mixed model with block as a random effect, and fiber type, enzyme, and period and their interactions as fixed effects. Multicarbohydrase supplementation increased the ATTD of GE, DM, and NDF by 2.8%, 3.4%, and 8.3%, respectively (Enzyme P < 0.05). There was a tendency for a Period × Fiber × Enzyme interaction for the ATTD of ADF, whereas multicarbohydrase supplementation with SF increased ADF digestibility in mid-gestation by 6.5%, but not in late gestation (P = 0.051). Compared with IF-, the ATTD of hemicellulose was 5.3% greater in sows fed IF+ but did not differ from SF- and SF+ (Fiber×Enzyme P=0.037). Furthermore, in late gestation sows fed IF had 11% greater ATTD of hemicellulose (Period×Fiber P = 0.035). Energy intake did not differ as dictated by design (P = 0.64). Sows fed multicarbohydrases excreted less energy in their urine (519 vs. 469 GE kcal/d; Enzyme P = 0.033) and in their feces (985 vs. 900 GE kcal/d; Enzyme P = 0.003). This resulted in an improvement in both DE (3,723 vs. 3,856 kcal/kg; Enzyme P < 0.01) and ME (3,484 vs. 3,583 kcal/kg; Enzyme P = 0.041), irrespective of fiber type. In late-gestation, sows fed SF tended to have decreased GE excretion compared with IF (Period×Fiber P = 0.091). Sows had a 3.5% greater ME in late-gestation (3,451 vs. 3,572 kcal/kg; Period P < 0.01). In conclusion, multicarbohydrase supplementation increased the energetic contribution of IF and SF in sow diets, and sows have increased fiber and energy digestibility in late gestation.