Assessment of energy content of low-solubles corn distillers dried grains and effects on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and pork fat quality in growing-finishing pigs

Two studies were conducted to assess the energy content of low-solubles distillers dried grains (LS-DDG) and their effects on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and pork fat quality in grow-finish pigs. In Exp. 1, 24 barrows (Yorkshire-Landrace × Duroc; 80 to 90 d of age) in 2 successive periods were assigned to 1 of 6 dietary treatments. In individual metabolism stalls, pigs were fed a corn-soybean meal diet (control); control replaced by 30, 40, or 50% LS-DDG; or control replaced by 30 or 40% distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) at 3% of their initial BW for 12 d. All diets contained 0.25% CrO(2). During the 5-d collection period, feces and urine were collected from each pig. Feed, feces, and urine were analyzed for DM, GE, and N concentrations, and feed and feces were analyzed for Cr content. The ME content of LS-DDG (2,959 ± 100 kcal/kg of DM) was similar to that determined for DDGS (2,964 ± 81 kcal/kg of DM). In Exp. 2, 216 Yorkshire-Landrace × Duroc pigs were blocked by initial BW (18.8 ± 0.76 kg) and assigned to 1 of 24 pens (9 pigs/pen). Pens within block were allotted to 1 of 3 dietary treatments (8 pens/treatment) in a 4-phase feeding program: a corn-soybean meal control (control), control containing 20% LS-DDG, or control containing 20% DDGS. Treatment had no effect on final BW, ADG, ADFI, or HCW. Pigs fed LS-DDG had similar G:F (0.367) compared with pigs fed DDGS (0.370), but tended (P = 0.09) to have decreased G:F compared with pigs fed the control (0.380; pooled SEM = 0.004). Dressing percent was less (P < 0.01) for pigs fed LS-DDG (72.8%) and DDGS (72.8%) compared with the control (73.8%; pooled SEM = 0.22). Pigs fed LS-DDG (54.8%) had greater (P = 0.02) carcass lean compared with pigs fed DDGS (53.4%), but were similar to pigs fed control (54.1%; pooled SEM = 0.33). Bellies from pigs fed DDGS (12.9°) were softer (P < 0.01) than those from pigs fed control (17.7°; pooled SEM = 1.07) as determined by the belly flop angle test. Feeding LS-DDG (14.1°) tended (P < 0.10) to create softer bellies compared with control-fed pigs. The PUFA content of belly fat was reduced (P < 0.01) by LS-DDG (14.0%) compared with DDGS (15.4%), but was increased (P < 0.05) compared with pigs fed the control (9.4%; pooled SEM = 0.34). In conclusion, LS-DDG and DDGS had similar ME values and inclusion of 20% LS-DDG in diets for growing-finishing pigs supports ADG and ADFI similar to that of diets containing 20% DDGS, and may reduce negative effects on pork fat compared with DDGS.     

Effect of nonwaxy and waxy sorghum on growth, carcass traits, and glucose and insulin kinetics of growing-finishing barrows and gilts

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of nonwaxy (amylose and amylopectin starch) or waxy (amylopectin starch) sorghum on growth, carcass traits, and glucose and insulin kinetics of pigs. In Exp. 1 (95-d), 60 crossbred barrows or gilts (initial and final BW of 24 and 104 kg) were allotted to three treatments with five replications of four pigs per replicate pen in a randomized complete block design. The dietary treatments for Exp. 1 were 1) corn-soybean meal (C-SBM) diet, 2) sorghum-SBM (red pericarp, non-waxy), and 3) sorghum-SBM (red pericarp, waxy). In Exp. 2, 28 crossbred barrows (initial and final BW of 24 and 64 kg) were allotted to two treatments with three replications of four or five pigs per replicate pen in a randomized complete block design. Growth data were collected for 49 d, and then 20 barrows were fitted with jugular catheters, and then a glucose tolerance test (500 mg glucose/kg BW), an insulin challenge test (0.1 IU of porcine insulin/kg BW), and a feeding challenge were conducted. The dietary treatments for Exp. 2 were 1) sorghum-SBM (white pericarp, nonwaxy) and 2) sorghum-SBM (white pericarp, waxy). In Exp. 1, ADG (P = 0.10) and ADFI (as-fed basis; P = 0.02) were increased (P = 0.10) and gain:feed was decreased (P = 0.04) in pigs fed the sorghum-SBM diets relative to those fed the C-SBM diet. These responses may have resulted from the lower energy content of sorghum relative to corn. Plasma NEFA concentration (collected after a 16-h fast on d 77) was decreased (P = 0.08) in pigs fed the waxy sorghum-SBM diet relative to those fed the nonwaxy sorghum-SBM diet. Kilograms of carcass fat was decreased (P = 0.07) in pigs fed the waxy sorghum-SBM diet relative to those fed the nonwaxy sorghum-SBM diet. In Exp. 2, there was no effect (P = 0.57 to 0.93) of sorghum starch type on growth performance by pigs. During the glucose tolerance and insulin challenge tests, there were no effects (P = 0.16 to 0.98) of diet on glucose or insulin kinetics. During the feeding challenge, glucose (P = 0.02) and plasma urea N (P = 0.06) area under the response curves from 0 to 90 min were decreased in pigs fed the waxy sorghum-SBM diet. Feeding waxy sorghum had minimal effects on growth and carcass traits relative to pigs fed corn or nonwaxy sorghum. Waxy sorghum vs. nonwaxy sorghum had no effect on glucose or insulin kinetics in pigs.     

Effects of beta-mannanase addition to corn-soybean meal diets on growth performance,carcass traits,and nutrient digestibility of weanling and growing-finishing pigs

Four experiments were conducted to determine the effects of adding a beta-mannanase preparation (Hemicell, ChemGen, Gaithersburg, MD) to corn-soybean meal-based diets on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of weanling and growing-finishing pigs. In Exp. 1, 156 weanling pigs (20 d, 6.27 kg BW) were allotted to four dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were a factorial arrangement of diet complexity (complex vs simple) and addition of 3-mannanase preparation (0 vs 0.05%). Pigs were fed in three dietary phases (Phase 1, d 0 to 14; Phase 2, d 14 to 28; and Phase 3, d 28 to 42). Pigs fed complex diets gained faster and were more efficient (P < 0.05) during Phase 1 compared with pigs fed simple diets. Overall, gain:feed ratio (G:F) tended to be improved (P < 0.10) for pigs fed complex diets and it was improved (P < 0.01) for those fed diets with beta-mannanase. In Exp. 2, 117 pigs (44 d, 13.62 kg BW) were allotted randomly to three dietary treatments. Dietary treatments were 1) a corn-soybean meal-based control, 2) the control diet with soybean oil added to increase metabolizable energy (ME) by 100 kcal/kg, and 3) the control diet with 0.05% beta-mannanase preparation. Beta-mannanase or soybean oil improved (P < 0.05) G:F compared with pigs fed the control diet. In Exp. 3, 60 pigs (22.5 kg BW) were allotted randomly to the three dietary treatments used in Exp. 2. Dietary treatments were fed in three phases (23 to 53 kg, 53 to 82 kg, and 82 to 109 kg with 0.95, 0.80, and 0.65% lysine, respectively). Overall, the addition of soybean oil tended to improve G:F (P < 0.10) compared with that of pigs fed the control diet, and G:F was similar (P > 0.54) for pigs fed diets with soybean oil or beta-mannanase. Also, addition of beta-mannanase increased ADG (P < 0.05) compared with that of pigs fed the control or soybean oil diets. There were no differences (P > or = 0.10) in longissimus muscle area or backfat; however, on a fat-free basis, pigs fed the diet with beta-mannanase had greater (P < 0.05) lean gain than pigs fed the control or soybean oil diets. In Exp. 4, 12 barrows (93 kg BW) were allotted randomly to one of the three dietary treatments used in Exp. 3. Addition of 3-mannanase had no effect (P > 0.10) on energy, nitrogen, phosphorus, or dry matter digestibility. These results suggest that beta-mannanase may improve growth performance in weanling and growing-finishing pigs but has minimal effects on nutrient digestibility.     

Effect of microbial phytase on energy availability,and lipid and protein deposition in growing swine

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of phytase on energy availability in pigs. In Exp. 1, barrows (initial and final BW of 26 and 52 kg) were allotted to four treatments in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Corn-soybean meal (C-SBM) diets were fed at two energy levels (2.9 and 3.2 x maintenance [M]) with and without the addition of 500 phytase units/kg of diet. The diets contained 115% of the requirement for Ca, available P (aP), and total lysine, and Ca and aP were decreased by 0.10% in diets with added phytase. Pigs were penned individually and fed daily at 0600 and 1700, and water was available constantly. Eight pigs were killed and ground to determine initial body composition. At the end of Exp. 1, all 48 pigs were killed for determination of carcass traits and protein and fat content by total-body electrical conductivity (TOBEC) analysis. Six pigs per treatment were ground for chemical composition. In Exp. 2, 64 barrows and gilts (initial and final BW of 23 and 47 kg) were allotted to two treatments (C-SBM with 10% defatted rice bran or that diet with reduced Ca and aP and 500 phytase units/kg of diet), with five replicate pens of barrows and three replicate pens of gilts (four pigs per pen). In Exp. 1, ADG was increased (P < 0.01) in pigs fed at 3.2 x M. Based on chemical analyses, fat deposition, kilograms of fat, retained energy (RE) in the carcass and in the carcass + viscera, fat deposition in the organs, and kilograms of protein in the carcass were increased (P < 0.10) in pigs fed the diets at 3.2 vs. 2.9 x M. Based on TOBEC analysis, fat deposition, percentage of fat increase, and RE were increased (P < 0.09) in pigs fed at 3.2 x M. Plasma urea N concentrations were increased in pigs fed at 3.2 x M with no added phytase but were not affected when phytase was added to the diet (phytase x energy, P < 0.06). Fasting plasma glucose measured on d 28, ultrasound longissimus muscle area (LMA), and 10th-rib fat depth were increased (P < 0.08) in pigs fed phytase, but many other response variables were numerically affected by phytase addition. In Exp. 2, phytase had no effect (P > 0.10) on ADG, ADFI, gain:feed, LMA, or 10th-rib fat depth. These results suggest that phytase had small, mostly nonsignificant effects on energy availability in diets for growing pigs; however, given that phytase increased most of the response variables measured, further research on its possible effects on energy availability seems warranted.     

The effect of space allocation on barrow and gilt performance

Two experiments were conducted to determine the variation in response to space allocation between barrows and gilts and to examine an alternative allocation regimen for barrows and gilts. Experimental space allocations in both experiments were achieved by varying the number of pigs per pen in a fully slatted facility. In Exp. 1, barrows were given 0.58 and 0.65 m2/pig (nine and eight pigs per pen, respectively) and gilts were given 0.65 and 0.74 m2/pig (eight and seven pigs per pen, respectively). In addition, barrows at 0.58 m2/pig were fed diets formulated for barrows or diets formulated for gilts. Barrows grew 4.8% slower (P = 0.031) and ate 3.1% less feed daily (P = 0.062) at 0.58 vs. 0.65 m2/pig from 22 to 115 kg BW, with no difference in feed conversion, daily lean gain, carcass lean percent, or variation in weight within the pen at time of first pig removal to slaughter. There was no improvement in daily gain, feed intake, feed efficiency, lean gain, or carcass lean percent when gilts were given 0.74 vs. 0.65 m2/pig from 22 to 115 kg BW. There was no difference in performance between the population that consisted of barrows and gilts at 0.65 m2/pig vs. the population of barrows at 0.58 m2/pig and gilts at 0.74 m2/pig. There was no difference in performance by barrows at 0.58 m2/pig when fed either barrow or gilt diets, except for a slight increase (P = 0.078) in within-pen weight variation when the first pig was removed for slaughter for the barrows fed gilt diets. In Exp. 2, barrows and gilts were given 0.58 m2/pig or 0.74 m2/pig (18 vs. 14 pigs per pen) from weaning (mean age 17 d) to slaughter on d 168 postweaning. There were no interactions between space allocation and gender. Daily gain and feed intake were decreased by 2.8% (P = 0.037) and 2.9% (P = 0.084), respectively, with no effect on feed conversion or standardized fat-free lean daily gain for the 0.58 vs. the 0.74 m2/pig treatment, whereas total live weight gain per pen was increased 20.8% (P < 0.001). Results of Exp. 1 suggest that space allocation can be used to achieve similar growth rates between barrows and gilts, and results of Exp. 2 suggest that the response to space allocation is similar for barrows and gilts. The difference in magnitude of response to space allocation between experiments may be due in part to when the social group was formed, with a smaller difference in performance in Exp. 2 associated with a stable social group from weaning to slaughter.     

Effects of diet and housing density on growth and stomach morphology in pigs.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the impact of housing density on the stomach morphology of growing pigs and determine whether there was an interaction between housing density and diet. All diets were corn-soybean meal based. In Exp. 1, 42 barrows (41.0+/-.95 kg BW) were allotted either individually or three pigs per pen to evaluate the effects of crowding on stomach lesions. Pen space per pig was 1.54 and .51 m2, respectively. All pigs were fed a finely ground and pelleted diet (610 microm) for 6 wk. The ADG decreased (P<.05) for the pigs housed three per pen during wk 4 to 6 only. There was no effect of housing density on feed intake or gain/feed ratio. Neither visual nor histological ulcer score differed between the two treatment groups. No stomachs were graded as normal. In Exp. 2, 80 barrows (39.8+/-.9 kg BW) were allotted either two or four pigs per pen. Pen space per pig was .77 and .39 m2, respectively. Half of the pigs in each housing situation were fed a coarse meal diet (1,050 microm), and half of the pigs were fed a finely ground and pelleted diet (577 microm) throughout the 49-d experimental period. Throughout the trial, pigs housed two per pen gained at a greater rate (P<.05) than pigs housed four per pen. From d 14 to the end of the trial, pigs consuming the finely ground and pelleted diet gained at a greater rate (P<.05) than pigs fed the coarse meal diet. The differences in ADG were reflected in final body weight. Stomach weight as a percentage of body weight was higher for animals on the coarse meal diet. Visual and histological ulcer scores were similar, and both were higher (P<.001) on the finely ground and pelleted diet, indicating greater damage. There was no effect of space restriction on stomach morphology. These data show the major effect of diet type on stomach lesions with no interaction with space restriction.     

饲粮类型和肥育后期不添加维生素和微量矿物元素对猪生长性能、胴体和肌肉品质、粪中矿物元素排泄的影响

本研究共开展两个试验,探讨饲粮类型和不添加维生素和微量矿物元素对猪肥育后期生长性能、胴体和肌肉品质、粪中微量矿物元素排泄的影响。在试验1中,选用128头平均体重(78.5±4.6)kg的肥育猪,根据体重和性别分成4组,每组4圈(重复),每个重复8头猪。四组试验猪的试验处理为2×2因子设计,即两种类型(玉米-豆粕型和玉米-杂粕型)饲粮和添加或不添加维生素/微量矿物元素预混料。在试验2中,选用112头平均体重(90.3±6.3)kg的肥育猪,根据体重和性别分成4组,每组4圈(重复),每个重复7头猪。试验处理同试验1。结果显示,在79~110kg肥育期中(试验1),采食玉米-豆粕型饲粮的猪的增重速度和采食量显著高于采食玉米-杂粕型饲粮的猪(P<0.01或0.05)。在90~105kg肥育期中(试验2),采食玉米-豆粕型饲粮的猪的增重速度仍然高于采食玉米-杂粕型饲粮的猪(P<0.05)。但是,维生素和微量矿物元素添加与否对生长性能无显著影响(P>0.05)。饲粮类型和不添加维生素和微量矿物元素对胴体和肌肉品质均无显著影响(P>0.05)。粪中微量矿物元素含量不受饲粮类型的影响(P>0.05),但不添加维生素和微量矿物元素时,粪中铜、铁、锰的含量显著降低(P<0.01),粪中锌含量也有降低的趋势(P>0.05)。对于生长性能、胴体和肌肉品质以及微量矿物元素排泄量,饲粮类型×维生素/微量矿物元素预混料的交互作用不显著(P>0.05)。结果表明,在猪的肥育后期(最后约25~40d),在玉米-豆粕型和玉米-杂粕型饲粮中可不添加维生素和微量矿物元素,从而可降低饲料成本和减少微量矿物元素的排泄。     

Effects of dietary iodine value product on growth performance and carcass fat quality of finishing pigs

A total of 120 barrows (initial BW = 47.9 ± 3.6 kg; PIC 1050) were used in an 83-d study to determine the effects of dietary iodine value (IV) product (IVP) on growth performance and fat quality. Pigs were blocked by BW and randomly allotted to 1 of 6 treatments with 2 pigs per pen and 10 pens per treatment. Dietary treatments were fed in 3 phases and formulated to 3 IVP concentrations (low, medium, and high) in each phase. Treatments were 1) corn-soybean meal control diet with no added fat (low IVP), 2) corn-extruded expelled soybean meal (EESM) diet with no added fat (medium IVP), 3) corn-soybean meal diet with 15% distillers dried grains with solubles and choice white grease (DDGS + CWG; medium IVP), 4) corn-soybean meal diet with low CWG (medium IVP), 5) corn-EESM diet with 15% DDGS (high IVP), and 6) corn-soybean meal diet with high CWG (high IVP). On d 83, pigs were slaughtered and backfat and jowl fat samples were collected and analyzed. The calculated and analyzed dietary IVP values were highly correlated (r(2) = 0.86, P < 0.01). Pigs fed the control diet, EESM, or high CWG had greater (P < 0.05) ADG than pigs fed EESM + DDGS. Pigs fed the control diet had greater (P < 0.05) ADFI than pigs fed all other diets. Pigs fed EESM + DDGS and high CWG had improved (P < 0.05) G:F compared with pigs fed the control diet or DDGS + CWG. Pigs fed diets with DDGS had greater (P < 0.05) backfat and jowl fat IV, C18:2n-6, and PUFA and less SFA than pigs fed all other treatments. Pigs fed EESM had greater (P < 0.05) backfat and jowl fat IV, C18:2n-6, and PUFA than pigs fed the control diet, low CWG, or high CWG. Pigs fed low CWG or high CWG had greater (P < 0.05) jowl fat IV than control pigs. Feeding ingredients high in unsaturated fatty acids, such as DDGS and EESM, had a greater impact on fat IV than CWG, even when diet IVP was similar. Therefore, IVP was a poor predictor of carcass fat IV in pigs fed diets with different fat sources and amounts of unsaturated fats formulated with similar IVP. Dietary C18:2n-6 content was a better predictor of carcass fat IV than diet IVP.     

Effects of exogenous enzyme supplementation to corn- and soybean meal-based or complex diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and blood metabolites in growing pigs

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of dietary supplementation of exogenous enzymes on growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of energy and nutrients, blood metabolites, fecal VFA, and fecal ammonia-N in growing pigs (Sus scrofa) fed a corn (Zea mays L.)- and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] meal (SBM)-based diet. In Exp. 1, 240 growing barrows (initial BW: 55.6 ± 0.9 kg) were randomly allotted to 5 treatments on the basis of BW. There were 4 replicates in each treatment with 12 pigs per replicate. The 5 treatments consisted of a corn-SBM-based control diet and 4 additional diets were similar to the control diet, with the exception that 0.05% β-mannanase (M), α-amylase + β-mannanase (AM), β-mannanase + protease (MPr), or α-amylase + β-mannanase + protease (AMP) was added to the diets, which were fed for 28 d. Pigs fed the AM, MPr, or AMP diet had greater (P < 0.05) ADG than pigs fed the control diet. Pigs fed the AMP diet also had greater (P < 0.05) ADG than pigs fed the M, AM, or MPr diet. Pigs fed the AMP diet had greater (P < 0.05) G:F than pigs fed the control diet. The G:F of the pigs fed the M, AM, or MPr diet were not different (P > 0.05) from the G:F in pigs fed the AMP or control diet. The ADFI, ATTD of nutrients, blood metabolites, and fecal VFA and ammonia-N concentrations were not different among treatments. In Exp. 2, 192 growing barrows (initial BW: 56.9 ± 1.0 kg) were allotted to 4 treatments. There were 4 replicates in each treatment with 12 pigs per replicate. Pigs were fed a corn-SBM-based diet (CSD) or a complex diet (CD) that contained corn, SBM, 3% rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) meal, 3% copra (Cocos nucifera L.) meal, and 3% palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) kernel meal. Each diet was prepared without exogenous enzymes or with 0.05% AMP and all diets were fed for 28 d. The ADG and G:F of pigs fed the CSD were greater (P < 0.05) than pigs fed the CD. However, the type of diet had no effect on the ATTD of nutrients, blood metabolites, or fecal VFA and ammonia-N, and there was no diet × enzyme interaction for any of the measured variables. Supplementation of diets with exogenous enzymes resulted in greater (P < 0.05) ADG, G:F, ATTD of DM, GE, and CP, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration. These results indicate that supplementation of 0.05% of AMP enzymes to a corn-SBM diet or a complex diet may improve the performance of growing pigs.     

Effects of dietary wheat middlings, distillers dried grains with solubles, and choice white grease on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and carcass fat quality of finishing pigs

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of adding combinations of wheat middlings (midds), distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), and choice white grease (CWG) to growing-finishing pig diets on growth, carcass traits, and carcass fat quality. In Exp. 1, 288 pigs (average initial BW = 46.6 kg) were used in an 84-d experiment with pens of pigs randomly allotted to 1 of 4 treatments with 8 pigs per pen and 9 pens per treatment. Treatments included a corn-soybean meal-based control, the control with 30% DDGS, the DDGS diet with 10% midds, or the DDGS diet with 20% midds. Diets were fed in 4 phases and formulated to constant standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys:ME ratios within each phase. Overall (d 0 to 84), pigs fed diets containing increasing midds had decreased (linear, P ≤ 0.02) ADG and G:F, but ADFI was not affected. Feeding 30% DDGS did not influence growth. For carcass traits, increasing midds decreased (linear, P < 0.01) carcass yield and HCW but also decreased (quadratic, P = 0.02) backfat depth and increased (quadratic, P < 0.01) fat-free lean index (FFLI). Feeding 30% DDGS decreased (P = 0.03) carcass yield and backfat depth (P < 0.01) but increased FFLI (P = 0.02) and jowl fat iodine value (P < 0.01). In Exp. 2, 288 pigs (initial BW = 42.3 kg) were used in an 87-d experiment with pens of pigs randomly allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments with 8 pigs per pen and 6 pens per treatment. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 3 factorial with 2 amounts of midds (0 or 20%) and 3 amounts of CWG (0, 2.5, or 5.0%). All diets contained 15% DDGS. Diets were fed in 4 phases and formulated to constant SID Lys:ME ratios in each phase. No CWG × midds interactions were observed. Overall (d 0 to 87), feeding 20% midds decreased (P < 0.01) ADG and G:F. Pigs increasing CWG had improved ADG (quadratic, P = 0.03) and G:F (linear, P < 0.01). Dietary midds or CWG did not affect ADFI. For carcass traits, feeding 20% midds decreased (P < 0.05) carcass yield, HCW, backfat depth, and loin depth but increased (P < 0.01) jowl fat iodine value. Pigs fed CWG had decreased (linear, P < 0.05) FFLI and increased (linear, P < 0.01) jowl fat iodine value. In conclusion, feeding midds reduced pig growth performance, carcass yield, and increased jowl fat iodine value. Although increasing diet energy with CWG can help mitigate negative effects on live performance, CWG did not eliminate negative impacts of midds on carcass yield, HCW, and jowl fat iodine value.     

Effect of carbohydrate source on growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of growing-finishing pigs

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of substituting a more available dietary carbohydrate (CHO) for portions of corn or fat in the diet on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and serum or plasma metabolites in growing-finishing pigs. A three-phase feeding program was used with corn-soybean meal diets formulated to provide 105% of the Lys requirement for barrows or gilts gaining 325 g of lean daily in Exp. 1 or gilts gaining 350 g of lean daily in Exp. 2. Diets were isoenergetic within experiments. All other nutrients met or exceeded suggested requirements. In Exp. 1, pigs were allotted to three dietary treatments (0, 7.5, or 15.0% sucrose), with three replications of barrows and three replications of gilts, and with three or four pigs per replicate pen; average initial and final BW were 25.2 and 106.7 kg. In Exp. 2, gilts were allotted to two dietary treatments (waxy [high amylopectin] or nonwaxy [75% amylopectin and 25% amylose] corn as the grain source), with five replications of four gilts per replicate pen; average initial and final BW were 37.7 and 100.0 kg. In Exp. 1, ADG and gain:feed ratio increased linearly (P < 0.02) as dietary sucrose increased. Minolta color scores, a* and b*, and drip loss (P < 0.06) also increased linearly with added sucrose. In Exp. 2, ADG, carcass weight and length, and the Minolta a* value were greater for pigs fed waxy corn (P < 0.08) than for those fed nonwaxy corn. Feed intake, longissimus muscle area, 10th-rib and average backfat thickness, dressing percentage, fat-free lean, percentage of lean and muscling, lean gain per day, total fat, percentage fat, lean:fat ratio, serum or plasma metabolites (Exp. 1: serum urea N; Exp. 2: serum urea N, and plasma nonesterified fatty acids, triacylglycerols, total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, insulin, and total protein), pH of the longissimus muscle, and subjective muscle scores (color, firmness-wetness, and marbling) were not affected by diet in either experiment. In summary, increasing availability of dietary CHO in growing-finishing pig diets improved growth performance, but it did not affect carcass traits.     

Effects of dried distillers grains with solubles on growing and finishing pig performance in a commercial environment

Three experiments were conducted to determine the optimal level of dried distiller grains with solubles (DDGS) from a common ethanol manufacturing facility and to determine the potential interactions between dietary DDGS and added fat on performance and carcass characteristics of growing and finishing pigs. All experiments were conducted at the same commercial facility and used DDGS from the same ethanol manufacturing facility. In Exp. 1, a total of 1,050 pigs (average initial BW 47.6 kg), with 24 to 26 pigs per pen and 7 pens per treatment, were fed diets containing 0 or 15% DDGS and 0, 3, or 6% added choice white grease in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement in a 28-d growth study. Overall, there were no DDGS x added fat interactions (P >/= 0.14). There was an improvement (linear, P < 0.01) in ADG and G:F as the percentage of added fat increased. There was no difference (P = 0.74) in growth performance between pigs fed 0 or 15% DDGS. In Exp. 2, a total of 1,038 pigs (average initial BW 46.3 kg), with 24 to 26 pigs per pen and 10 pens per treatment, were fed diets containing 0, 10, 20, or 30% DDGS in a 56-d growth study. Pigs fed diets containing DDGS had a tendency for decreased ADG and ADFI (both linear, P = 0.09 and 0.05, respectively), but the greatest reduction seemed to occur between pigs fed 10 and 20% DDGS. In Exp. 3, a total of 1,112 pigs (average initial BW 49.7 kg), with 25 to 28 pigs per pen and 9 pens per treatment, were used in a 78-d growth study to evaluate the effects of increasing DDGS (0, 5, 10, 15, or 20%) in the diet on pig growth performance and carcass characteristics. From d 0 to 78, ADG and ADFI decreased linearly (P 相似文献   

Growth performance and carcass quality are not different between pigs fed diets containing cold-fermented low-oil DDGS and pigs fed conventional DDGS,but pelleting improves gain to feed ratio regardless of source of DDGS

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that growth performance and carcass characteristics of pigs fed diets containing cold-fermented, low oil distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) is not different from that of pigs fed diets containing conventional DDGS regardless of the physical form of the diets. A total of 160 barrows and gilts were used. There were 4 diets, 10 pens per diet, and 4 pigs per pen. Pigs were weaned at 21 d of age and fed a common phase 1 diet that did not contain DDGS during the initial 7 d post-weaning. Pigs were then allotted to the four diets that were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial design with two sources of DDGS (cold-fermented and conventional DDGS) and two diet forms (meal and pellets). Pigs were fed phase 2 diets from day 7 to 21 and phase 3 diets from day 21 to 43 post-weaning. All diets were based on corn and soybean meal, but phase 2 diets also contained 15% DDGS and phase 3 diets contained 30% DDGS. From day 43, pigs were fed grower diets for 38 d, early finisher diets for 38 d, and late finisher diets for 18 d and these diets also contained 30% DDGS. Feed was provided on an ad libitum basis and daily feed allotments were recorded. Pigs were weighed at the beginning of each phase and at the conclusion of the experiment. On the last day of the experiment, the pig in each pen with a body weight that was closest to the pen average was slaughtered and carcass measurements were determined. Combined results for the two nursery phases indicated that feeding meal diets instead of pelleted diets increased (P < 0.001) average daily feed intake and decreased (P < 0.05) gain to feed ratio (G:F). However, no differences between the two sources of DDGS were observed for the overall growth performance of weanling pigs. For the entire growing-finishing period, the source of DDGS did not affect growth performance, but pigs fed meal diets had reduced (P < 0.001) G:F compared with pigs fed the pelleted diets. There were no differences between the two sources of DDGS for carcass characteristics. Back fat was greater (P < 0.05) for pigs fed pelleted diets than for pigs fed meal diets. In conclusion, no differences in growth performance or carcass characteristics between pigs fed cold-fermented DDGS and pigs fed conventional DDGS were observed. However, pigs fed pelleted diets had greater G:F and greater back fat than pigs fed meal diets.     

Organ weight, intestinal morphology, and fasting whole-body oxygen consumption in growing pigs fed diets containing distillers dried grains with solubles alone or in combination with a multienzyme supplement

The effects of adding a multienzyme complex to a diet containing distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) produced from a 1:1 mixture of corn and wheat on visceral organ weight, intestinal morphology, and fasting whole-body oxygen consumption (FWBOC) were investigated in growing pigs in a 28-d trial. Twenty-four pigs (BW = 19.9 ± 0.5 kg) were individually housed in floor pens and randomly assigned to 3 experimental diets (8 pigs per diet). The diets contained corn and soybean meal with 0% (control) or 30% DDGS (DDGS diet); the third diet was supplemented with a multienzyme complex in addition to the 30% DDGS (DDGS + enzyme diet). All diets had similar nutrient concentrations and met the 1998 NRC nutrient requirements for growing pigs. Pigs were fed at 4% of their BW once daily. On d 15, 4 pigs from each dietary treatment were randomly selected for measurement of FWBOC during the 24- to 30-h postprandial period using an open-circuit indirect calorimeter. At the end of the study, pigs were killed to determine visceral organ weights, ileal and cecal digesta viscosity, and intestinal morphology. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of dietary treatment on final BW, WBFOC, or digesta viscosity. Empty BW of pigs fed the control diet was heavier (P = 0.02) than that of pigs fed the DDGS diet, but the empty BW of pigs fed the DDGS + enzyme diet was not different (P > 0.05) from that of pigs fed the control or DDGS diet. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in empty BW of liver, spleen, pancreas, heart, stomach, small intestine, and cecum among dietary treatments on a per kilogram basis. However, pigs fed the DDGS diet had heavier (P < 0.05) colon plus rectum and portal-drained viscera (PDV) than pigs fed the control diet, but weights of colon plus rectum and PDV in pigs fed the DDGS + enzyme diet were not different (P > 0.05) from those of pigs fed the control diet. Although morphological data showed no differences (P > 0.05) in the duodenum, jejunum, and colon segments among dietary treatments, the DDGS diet tended to decrease (P < 0.10) villous height and villous height to crypt depth in the ileum. The results of this experiment indicated that pigs fed a diet containing 30% DDGS have reduced dressing percentage and increased visceral organ mass compared with pigs fed a corn-soybean meal diet. However, the addition of a multienzyme complex to the DDGS diet resulted in pigs having a dressing percentage and visceral organ mass that are not different from those of pigs fed a corn-soybean meal diet.     

Utilization of spray-dried blood cells and crystalline isoleucine in nursery pig diets

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate spray-dried blood cells (SDBC) and crystalline isoleucine in nursery pigs. In Exp. 1, 120 pigs were used to evaluate 0, 2, 4, and 6% SDBC (as-fed basis) in a sorghum-based diet. There were six replicates of each treatment and five pigs per pen, with treatments imposed at an initial BW of 9.3 kg and continued for 16 d. Increasing SDBC from 0 to 4% had no effect on ADG, ADFI, and G:F. Pigs fed the 6% SDBC diet had decreased ADG (P < 0.01) and G:F (P = 0.06) compared with pigs fed diets containing 0, 2, or 4% SDBC. In Exp. 2, 936 pigs were used to test diets containing 2.5 or 5% SDBC (as-fed basis) vs. two control diets. There were six replicates of each treatment at industry (20 pigs per pen) and university (six pigs per pen) locations. Treatments were imposed at an initial BW of 5.9 and 8.1 kg at the industry and the university locations, respectively, and continued for 16 d. Little effect on pig performance was noted by supplementing 2.5% SDBC, with or without crystalline Ile, in nursery diets. Pigs fed the 5% SDBC diet without crystalline Ile had decreased ADG (P < 0.01), ADFI (P < or = 0.10), and G:F (P < 0.05) compared with pigs fed the control diets. Supplementation of Ile restored ADG, ADFI, and G:F to levels that were not different from that of pigs fed the control diets. In Exp. 3, 1,050 pigs were used to test diets containing 5, 7.5, or 9% SDBC (as-fed basis) vs. a control diet. There were six replicates of each treatment at the industry (20 pigs per pen) location and five replicates at the university (six pigs per pen) locations. Treatments were imposed at an initial BW of 6.3 and 7.0 kg at the industry and university locations, respectively, and continued for 16 d. Supplementation of 5% SDBC without crystalline Ile decreased ADG and G:F (P < 0.01) compared with pigs fed the control diet, but addition of Ile increased ADG (P < 0.01) to a level not different from that of pigs fed the control diet. The decreased ADG, ADFI, and G:F noted in pigs fed the 7.5% SDBC diet was improved by addition of Ile (P < 0.01), such that ADG and ADFI did not differ from those of pigs fed the control diet. Pigs fed diets containing 9.5% SDBC exhibited decreased ADG, ADFI, and G:F (P < 0.01), all of which were improved by Ile addition (P < 0.01); however, ADG (P < 0.05) and G:F (P = 0.09) remained lower than for pigs fed the control diet. These data indicate that SDBC can be supplemented at relatively high levels to nursery diets, provided that Ile requirements are met.     

Influence of dietary protein level, amino acid supplementation, and dietary energy levels on growing-finishing pig performance and carcass composition

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of feeding reduced-CP, AA-supplemented diets at two ambient temperatures (Exp. 1) or three levels of dietary NE (Exp. 2) on pig performance and carcass composition. In Exp. 1, 240 mixed-sex pigs were used to test whether projected differences in heat increment associated with diet composition affect pig performance. There were 10 replications of each treatment with four pigs per pen. For the 28-d trial, average initial and final BW were 28.7 kg and 47.5 kg, respectively. Pigs were maintained in a thermoneutral (23 degrees C) or heat-stressed (33 degrees C) environment and fed a 16% CP diet, a 12% CP diet, or a 12% CP diet supplemented with crystalline Lys, Trp, and Thr (on an as-fed basis). Pigs gained at similar rates when fed the 16% CP diet or the 12% CP diet supplemented with Lys, Trp, and Thr (P > 0.10). Pigs fed the 12% CP, AA-supplemented diet had a gain:feed similar to pigs fed the 16% CP diet when housed in the 23 degrees C environment but had a lower gain:feed in the 33 degrees C environment (diet x temperature, P < 0.01). In Exp. 2, 702 gilts were allotted to six treatments with nine replicates per treatment. Average initial and final BW were 25.3 and 109.7 kg, respectively. Gilts were fed two levels of CP (high CP with minimal crystalline AA supplementation or low CP with supplementation of Lys, Trp, Thr, and Met) and three levels of NE (high, medium, or low) in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement. A four-phase feeding program was used, with diets containing apparent digestible Lys levels of 0.96, 0.75, 0.60, and 0.48% switched at a pig BW of 41.0, 58.8, and 82.3 kg, respectively. Pigs fed the low-CP, AA-supplemented diets had rates of growth and feed intake similar to pigs fed the high-CP diets. Dietary NE interacted with CP level for gain:feed (P < 0.06). A decrease in dietary NE from the highest NE level decreased gain:feed in pigs fed the high-CP diet; however, gain:feed declined in pigs fed the low-CP, AA-supplemented diet only when dietary NE was decreased to the lowest level. There was a slight reduction in longissimus area in pigs fed the low-CP diets (P < 0.08), but other estimates of carcass muscle did not differ (P > 0.10). These data suggest that pigs fed low-CP, AA-supplemented diets have performance and carcass characteristics similar to pigs fed higher levels of CP and that alterations in dietary NE do not have a discernible effect on pig performance or carcass composition.     

Effects of increasing dietary L-carnitine on growth performance of weanling pigs

Four experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementing graded levels (0 to 100 ppm) of L-carnitine to the diet of weanling pigs on growth performance during a 34- to 38-d experimental period. A fifth experiment was conducted to determine the effects of addition of L-carnitine to diets with or without added soybean oil (SBO) on growth performance. In Exp. 1, 128 pigs (initial BW = 5.5 kg) were allotted to four dietary treatments (six pens per treatment of four to six pigs per pen). Dietary treatments were a control diet containing no added L-carnitine and the control diet with 25, 50, or 100 ppm of added L-carnitine. In Exp. 2, 3, and 4, pigs (4.8 to 5.6 kg of BW) were allotted to five dietary treatments consisting of either a control diet containing no added L-carnitine or the control diet with 25, 50, 75, or 100 ppm of added L-carnitine. All diets in Exp. 1 to 4 contained added soybean oil (4 to 6%). There were seven pens per treatment (four to five pigs per pen) in Exp. 2, whereas Exp. 3 and 4 had five and six pens/treatment (eight pigs per pen), respectively. In general, dietary carnitine additions had only minor effects on growth performance during Phases 1 and 3; however, dietary L-carnitine increased (linear [Exp. 1], quadratic [Exp. 2 to 4], P < 0.03) ADG and gain:feed (G:F) during Phase 2. The improvements in growth performance during Phase 2 were of great enough magnitude that carnitine addition tended to increase ADG (linear, P < 0.10) and improve G:F (quadratic, P < 0.02) for the entire 38-d period. In Exp. 5, 216 weanling pigs (5.8 kg of BW) were allotted (12 pens/treatment of four to five pigs per pen) to four dietary treatments. The four dietary treatments were arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial with main effects of added SBO (0 or 5%) and added L-carnitine (0 or 50 ppm). Pigs fed SBO tended (P < 0.07) to grow more slowly and consumed less feed compared with those not fed SBO, but G:F was improved (P < 0.02). The addition of L-carnitine did not affect (P > 0.10) ADG or ADFI; however, it improved (P < 0.03) G:F. Also, the increase in G:F associated with L-carnitine tended to be more pronounced for pigs fed SBO than those not fed SBO (carnitine x SBO, P < 0.10). These results suggest that the addition of 50 to 100 ppm of added L-carnitine to the diet improved growth performance of weanling pigs. In addition, supplemental L-carnitine tended to be more effective when SBO was provided in the diet.     

Effects of diet and Aspergillus oryzae extract or Saccharomyces cervisiae on growth and carcass characteristics of lambs and steers fed to meet requirements of natural markets

Two studies were conducted to determine the effects of diet and feed additive on growth and carcass characteristics of lambs and cattle destined for all natural markets. In Exp. 1, 48 Dorset × Hampshire lambs (initial BW 29.4 ± 0.1 kg) were used in a randomized complete block experiment to determine the effects of Aspergillus oryzae extract, Amaferm (AMF) supplementation (1 g/d) in an 85% concentrate diet on growth and carcass characteristics. Lambs were allotted to 12 pens (4 lambs per pen), and blocked by sex and BW. Lambs were fed until the average BW of each pen reached a target BW (55.4 kg for wethers and 50.0 kg for ewes), at which time the entire pen of lambs was slaughtered. Amaferm resulted in a greater (P=0.07) G:F. In Exp. 2, 168 crossbred steers (initial BW 300 ± 0.7 kg) were used in a trial with a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to examine the effects of 0.5 g/d of Saccaromyces cervisiae boulardii CNCM 1079-Levucell SB (LEV), or 3 g/d of AMF with 2 corn sources, dry whole-shelled corn or high moisture corn, on growth and carcass characteristics. Neither LEV nor AMF improved (P>0.10) carcass characteristics compared with control or non-feed-supplemented steers. Addition of LEV to high-concentrate, corn-based diets did not improve (P>0.10) growth performance of feedlot steers. However, addition of AMF to a diet composed of dry whole-shelled corn resulted in an improvement (P<0.05) in G:F (0.208 vs. 0.194). Results indicate that at the amounts fed, AMF may improve G:F for lambs and steers fed dry corn-based finishing diets.     

Growth performance, diet apparent digestibility, and plasma metabolite concentrations of barrows fed corn-soybean meal diets or low-protein, amino acid-supplemented diets at different feeding level

Two experiments, each with 36 barrows with high-lean-gain potential, were conducted to evaluate apparent nutrient digestibilities and performance and plasma metabolites of pigs fed corn-soybean meal diets (CONTROL) and low-protein diets. The low-protein diets were supplemented with crystalline lysine, threonine, tryptophan, and methionine either on an ideal protein basis (IDEAL) or in a pattern similar to that of the control diet (AACON). Amino acids were added on a true ileally digestible basis. The initial and final BW were, respectively, 31.5 and 82.3 kg in Exp. 1 and 32.7 and 57.1 kg in Exp. 2. In Exp. 1, the CONTROL and IDEAL diets were offered on an ad libitum basis or by feeding 90 or 80% of ad libitum intake. Pigs were fed for 55 d. In Exp. 2, the CONTROL, IDEAL, and AACON diets were offered on an ad libitum basis or by feeding 80% of the ad libitum intake. Pigs were fed for 27 d. Pigs fed the CONTROL diet had greater (P < 0.05) ADG and feed efficiency (G/F) than pigs fed the IDEAL (Exp. 1 and 2) and AACON diets (Exp. 2). As the level of feed intake decreased, ADG decreased (P < 0.05), but G/F tended to improve (P < 0.10) for pigs fed 90% of ad libitum in Exp. 1 and for pigs fed 80% of ad libitum in Exp. 2. In Exp. 1, the apparent total tract digestibilities of DM and energy were greater (P < 0.01) for pigs fed the IDEAL diet than for pigs fed the CONTROL diet. In Exp. 2, the apparent total tract digestibility of protein was greatest in pigs fed the CONTROL diet (P < 0.05) and was greater (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the AACON diet than in pigs fed the IDEAL diet. Plasma urea concentrations were lower in pigs fed the IDEAL diet than in pigs fed the CONTROL diet, regardless of feeding level. For pigs fed the CONTROL diet, plasma urea concentrations were lower when feed intake was 80% of ad libitum (diet level, P < 0.01). In summary, pigs fed the IDEAL and the AACON diets gained less and had lower plasma urea concentrations than pigs fed the CONTROL diet. Based on these data, it seems that the growth potential of pigs fed the IDEAL and AACON diets may have been limited by a deficiency of lysine, threonine, and(or) tryptophan and that the amino acid pattern(s) used was not ideal for these pigs.     

Evaluation of methods to reduce bacteria concentrations in spray-dried animal plasma and its effects on nursery pig performance

Four experiments with 1,040 weanling pigs (17 +/- 2 d of age at weaning) were conducted to evaluate the effects of spray-dried animal plasma source, drying technique, and methods of bacterial reduction on nursery pig performance. In Exp. 1, 180 barrows and gilts (initial BW 5.9 +/- 1.8 kg) were used to compare effects of animal plasma, animal plasma source, drying technique (spray-dried or freeze-dried), and plasma irradiation in nursery pig diets. From d 0 to 10, pigs fed diets containing irradiated spray-dried animal plasma had increased ADG and ADFI (P < 0.05) compared with pigs fed diets containing nonirradiated spray-dried animal plasma. Pigs fed irradiated animal plasma Sources 1 and 2 were similar in ADG and ADFI, but pigs fed animal plasma Source 1 had greater ADG (P < 0.05) than pigs fed animal plasma Source 2 and pigs not fed plasma. Pigs fed freeze-dried animal plasma had growth performance similar (P > 0.36) to pigs fed spray-dried animal plasma. Overall (d 0 to 24), pigs fed irradiated spray-dried animal plasma were heavier (P < 0.05) than pigs fed no animal plasma, whereas pigs fed nonirradiated spray-dried plasma were intermediate. In Exp. 2, 325 barrows and gilts (initial BW 5.8 +/- 1.7 kg) were used to compare the effects of irradiation or formaldehyde treatment of animal plasma and formaldehyde treatment of the whole diet. Pigs fed diets containing irradiated animal plasma had greater ADG (P < 0.05) than pigs fed nonirradiated plasma. Pigs fed formaldehyde-treated plasma had greater ADG and ADFI (P < 0.05) than pigs fed diets with either nonirradiated plasma or whole diet treated with formaldehyde. In Exp. 3 (360 barrows and gilts; initial BW 6.3 +/- 2.7 kg) and Exp. 4 (175 barrows and gilts; initial BW 6.1 +/- 1.7 kg), the irradiation of feed (high bacteria) and food-grade (low bacteria) animal plasma in nursery pig diets was examined. Pigs fed irradiated feed-grade plasma Product 2 had increased ADG (P < 0.05) compared with pigs fed nonirradiated plasma Product 2 and pigs fed the control diet without plasma. In Exp. 3 and 4, pigs fed irradiated food-grade plasma had growth performance similar to pigs fed nonirradiated food-grade plasma (P > 0.12). These studies indicate that bacterial reduction of feed-grade, but not food-grade animal plasma, improves nursery pig performance.