Nursery pig performance in response to meal and pelleted diets fed with irradiated or non-irradiated spray-dried animal plasma

Swine research, 2005 is known as Swine day, 2005A 25-d trial was conducted to determine the effects of feeding meal and pelleted diets, with or without irradiated spray-dried animal plasma (SDAP; AP 920), on the growth performance in nursery pigs. A total of 192 pigs (initially 13.2 ± 1.9 lb and 21 ± 3 d of age) were used, with 6 pigs per pen and 6 pens per treatment. Pigs were randomly allotted in a 2 × 2 factorial to pens, blocked by weight, and randomly allotted to one of four dietary treatments. The main effects were diet form, meal or pellet, and either irradiated SDAP or nonirradiated SDAP. The experimental treatments consisted of a single diet that was fed in either meal or pelleted form, with or without irradiation of SDAP for Phase 1 (d 0 to 11), and a common diet for Phase 2 (d 11 to 25). Pig fed pelleted diets from d 0 to 3 had a greater ADG, ADFI, and improved F/G (P<0.03) than did pigs fed meal diets. Irradiation of SDAP had no effect on performance from d 0 to 3; for d 3 to 11, however, there was a diet form × SDAP irradiation interaction (P < 0.01), and for d 0 to 11 there was interaction for ADG and F/G (P<0.07). Pigs fed irradiated SDAP in meal form had similar growth performance to those fed pelleted treatments. For producers that manufacture their own Phase 1 diet in meal form, use of irradiated SDAP can result in performance equal to that of nursery pigs fed a pelleted diet

Evaluation of different soy protein concentrate sources on growth performance of weanling pigs

Three experiments were conducted using 486 weanling pigs (216 in Experiment 1; 210 in Experiment 2; 60 in Experiment 3) to determine the effects of different soy protein concentrate (SPC) sources on growth performance. Soy protein concentrate source 1 is dried with a torus disk following the concentration of soy proteins. This drying procedure will generate some degree of heat and possibly mechanical forces somewhat similar to extrusion processing (Soycomil P®, ADM). Soy protein concentrate source 2 is dried by a different process, and then it is moist extruded (Profine E, Central Soya). Therefore, the objective of our study was to determine the relative feeding value of the different SPC sources compared with a complex diet containing milk and other specialty proteins (no soy protein), or a diet containing 40% soybean meal. In Experiment 1, each SPC source (28.6%) replaced all the soybean meal (SBM) in the control diet on a lysine basis. Pigs fed the diet containing 40% SBM had similar performance to pigs fed the milk-protein based diet from d 0 to 14. Pigs fed either SPC source had lower ADG and ADFI compared to pigs fed either the diet containing 40% SBM or the milkprotein based diet. Pigs fed the diet containing 40% SBM and SPC from source 2 had better F/G than pigs fed the milk-protein based diet or SPC from source 1. In Experiment 2, either all or half of the soybean meal was replaced by the 28.6 or 14.3% SPC from source 1 and 2. From d 0 to 14 and d 0 to 28, an SPC source by level interaction was observed for ADG (P<0.01) and ADFI (P<0.07). Replacing soybean meal with SPC from source 1 did not influence pig performance. However, replacing soybean meal with SPC from source 2 resulted in a quadratic (P<0.05) improvement in ADG with performance being improved for the diet containing 14.3% SPC, but no benefit to replacing all the soybean meal with SPC. Replacing soybean meal with SPC from either source influenced feed efficiency in a quadratic (P<0.01) manner with feed efficiency being optimal for pigs consuming the diet with half the soybean meal replaced by SPC. Because replacing all of the soybean meal with SPC reduced ADFI in Experiments 1 and 2, we hypothesized that pigs may not prefer the taste of a diet with a high inclusion rate of SPC (28.6%). To test this theory, a 7-day preference test was conducted to determine feed intake of weanling pigs provided the option of consuming diets containing either 40% soybean meal or 28.6% SPC (from source 2). Average daily feed intake was 0.41 and 0.01 lb for the 40% soybean meal and 28.6% soy protein concentrate diets, respectively (P<0.0001). The poor intake of the SPC diet may indicate a palatability problem when high levels of SPC are included in the diet. Our results suggest replacing a portion of the soybean meal in the diet with SPC from source 2 improves ADG and feed efficiency; however, high levels (28.6%) of SPC should not be included in the diet

Effects of increasing extruded soy-protein concentrate on growth performance of nursery pigs

Two hundred and forty barrows and gilts (initially 13.0 lb and 18 ± 2 d of age at weaning) were blocked by initial weight and were allotted randomly to one of five dietary treatments. There were eight replications (pens) per treatment, with six pigs per pen. Pigs were fed experimental diets from d 0 to 14 after weaning that included a control diet containing 40% soybean meal and diets containing 7.1, 14.3, 21.4, or 28.6% extruded soy-protein concentrate. From d 14 to 28, all pigs were fed a similar diet to determine if any carry-over effects existed from the treatment diets. From d 0 to 14, ADG and ADFI increased (quadratic, P<0.06) as extruded soy protein concentrate increased from 7.1 to 21.4%, and then decreased similar to control values when 28.6% extruded soy-protein concentrate was fed. Feed efficiency improved (linear, P<0.01) with increasing rates of extruded soy-protein concentrate in the diet. Overall (d 0 to 28), there were no differences observed for ADG or ADFI, but F/G improved (linear, P<0.01) as extruded soy-protein concentrate increased in the diet. These results indicate that an inclusion rate up to 21.4% of extruded soy-protein concentrate was optimal for nursery-pig performance during the first two weeks postweaning

Effects of water-soluble and in-feed organic acids on the growth performance of weanling pigs

A total of 360 weanling pigs (initially 11.5 lb and 18 ± 3 d of age, PIC) were used in a 42-d growth assay to determine the effects of water-soluble antimicrobials and organic acids in feed and/or water on nursery pig growth performance. Pigs were allotted to one of 9 experimental treatments: 1) control (no feed or water antimicrobials or acids); 2) water containing 38 mg/L neomycin sulfate; 3) water containing 0.06% Activate3 WD; 4) water containing 0.12% Activate WD; 5) feed containing Neo-Terramycin4 (140 g/ton neomycin sulfate, 140 g/ton oxytetracycline HCl; neo/oxy); 6) feed containing 0.50% Activate DA; 7) feed containing 0.45% Starter L; 8) feed containing 0.45% Multimax L; and 9) feed containing 0.50% Activate DA and 0.10% Mintrex3 P. Overall (d 0 to 42 after weaning), pigs provided neo/oxy in the feed had greater (P<0.05) ADG, compared with pigs in all other treatments, except the pigs provided the combination of Activate DA and Mintrex P in the feed. Pigs provided neo/oxy in the feed had greater ADFI (P<0.02) than did pigs provided the control treatment. There were no differences in feed efficiency between any of the treatments. These data demonstrate that pigs provided in-feed antimicrobials had improved growth, whereas those provided organic acids in feed and water did not

Effects of intermittent usage of water-based neomycin sulfate on the growth performance of weanling pigs

Swine research, 2005 is known as Swine day, 2005A total of 360 weanling pigs (initially 11.4 lb and 18 ± 3 d of age, PIC) were used to determine the effects of intermittent use of water-based medication on nursery pig growth performance. Pigs were given one of eight experimental treatments: negative control (no antibiotics in the feed or water); positive control with Neo-Terramycin® in the feed (140 g/ton Neomycin sulfate, 140 g/ton Oxytetracycline HCl); continuous use of either 38.0 or 75.5 mg Neomycin sulfate per L of water; use of either 38.0 or 75.5 mg of Neomycin sulfate per L of water, during weeks 1 and 3 after weaning; and use of either 38.0 or 75.5 mg Neomycin sulfate per L of water during weeks 2 and 4 after weaning. Overall (d 0 to 28 after weaning), pigs provided Neomycin sulfate in the water continuously and pigs fed the positive control diet had greater ADG (P<0.05) and ADFI (P<0.04) than did pigs provided non-medicated water and feed. Pigs fed the positive control diet tended (P<0.15) to have greater ADG than did pigs provided an intermittent supply of water-based Neomycin sulfate, but there was no difference in growth performance and feed efficiency between pigs fed the positive control diet and those provided a continuous supply of water-based Neomycin sulfate. Pigs provided a continuous supply of either dosage of Neomycin sulfate in the water had greater (P<0.05) ADG and ADFI than did pigs provided water-based Neomycin sulfate on an intermittent basis. These data demonstrate that providing neomycin in the feed or water results in a growth response, but there is no carryover effect. Thus, pig performance returns to the control level immediately after the supply of Neomycin is removed

Effects of different dosages of water-based neomycin sulfate on growth performance of weanling pigs

Swine research, 2005 is known as Swine day, 2005A total of 360 weanling pigs (initially 14.1 lb and 21 ± 3 d of age, PIC) were used to determine the effects of different rates of waterbased medication on nursery pig growth performance. Pigs were given one of eight experimental treatments: negative control (no antibiotics in the feed or water); positive control with Neo-Terramycin® in the feed (140 g/ton Neomycin sulfate, 140 g/ton Oxytetracycline HCl); 38.0, 75.5, or 113.5 mg of Neomycin sulfate per L of water; 100 or 200 g/ton of Neomycin sulfate in the feed; and Neo-Terramycin® in the feed and 75.5 mg of Neomycin per L of water. Overall (d 0 to 24 after weaning), pigs provided Neomycin sulfate in the water, pigs fed diets containing Neomycin sulfate, and pigs fed the positive control diet had greater ADG (P<0.02) and ADFI (P<0.05) than did pigs provided nonmedicated water and feed. Pigs provided Neomycin sulfate in the water or feed also had improved F/G (P<0.05), compared with the F/G of pigs provided non-medicated feed and water. Pigs provided the combination of the positive control diet and Neomycin sulfate in the water had greater ADFI (P<0.04) and tended to have greater ADG (P<0.09) than did pigs fed the positive control with nonmedicated water or pigs fed the negative control with Neomycin sulfate in the water. Increasing Neomycin sulfate in the water improved ADG (P<0.03) and ADFI (P<0.05). Increasing Neomycin sulfate in the feed improved ADG and ADFI (P<0.01) and improved F/G (P<0.03). There were no differences in growth performance between pigs provided Neomycin sulfate in the water and in the feed. Finally, there were no water medication × feed medication interactions for the overall treatment period, but main effects for water and feed medication were significant (P<0.02) for ADG and ADFI

Comparison of water-based and in-feed antimicrobials for growth performance enhancement of weanling pigs

Swine research, 2005 is known as Swine day, 2005A total of 350 weanling pigs (initially 13.0 lb and 14 ± 3 d of age, PIC) were used to determine the effects of water-based antimicrobial on nursery pig growth performance. Pigs were given one of 5 experimental treatments: negative control (no antibiotics in the feed or water), positive control diet containing Neo- Terramycin® (140 g/ton Neomycin sulfate, 140 g/ton Oxytetracycline HCl), Neomycin sulfate in the water (24.2 mg of Neomycin sulfate per L), Oxytetracycline in the water (24.2 mg of Oxytetracycline per L), and Neomycin sulfate and Oxytetracycline (Neo/oxy) in the water. Overall (d 0 to 28 after weaning), pigs provided a water antimicrobial had greater ADG (P<0.01) and ADFI (P<0.02) than did pigs provided non-medicated water and feed. But pigs fed diets containing Neo- Terramycin® had greater ADG and ADFI (P<0.01) than did pigs provided a water antimicrobial. Pigs provided water containing Neomycin sulfate or Neo/oxy had greater ADG and ADFI (P<0.05) than did pigs provided non-medicated feed and water, and ADG and ADFI of pigs provided water containing Oxytetracycline were intermediate. There were no differences in growth performance between water antimicrobials and no differences in F/G for all treatments

Effects of increasing CA:P ratio in diets containing phytase on finishing pig growth performance

A total of 144 finishing pigs (72 barrows and 72 gilts, initially 85 lb) were used to determine the effects of calcium to total phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio in diets containing phytase on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and bone ash percentage. Pigs were housed in an environmentally regulated finishing building with two pigs per pen and six pens per sex per treatment in a randomized complete block design. Pigs were blocked by initial weight and sex, and then allotted to one of six dietary treatments. The dietary treatments were corn-soybean meal-based diets fed in three phases. In each phase, diets consisted of a 0.75:1; 1:1; 1.25:1; 1.5:1, and 2:1 Ca:P ratio. A sixth treatment group was a diet containing 77% of the total P as the other treatment diets. Diets were formulated to contain 0.44%, 0.39%, and 0.34% total phosphorus and 0.15%, 0.12%, and 0.07% available phosphorus from d 0 to 28, 28 to 57, and 57 to 76, respectively. All diets contained 0.05% phytase, providing 300 FTU/kg in order to achieve equivalent available phosphorus values of 0.23%, 0.19%, and 0.15%. For the overall experiment, increasing Ca:P ratio decreased (linear, P<0.03) ADG and F/G. However, the greatest decrease in ADG and F/G was observed when Ca:P ratio increased from 1.5:1 to 2:1. Daily feed intake was not affected by Ca:P ratio. There was no difference in backfat thickness for pigs fed Ca:P ratios between 0.75:1 and 2.0:1 (P<0.17). However, pigs fed the negative control diet had reduced backfat thickness (P<0.05) compared to the other pigs. Bone ash percentage was not affected (P<0.23) by Ca:P ratio. These results suggest that in finishing diets containing 300 FTU/kg phytase, a Ca:P ratio greater then 1.5:1 will decrease ADG and ADFI

Influence of L-carnitine on growth and plasma IGF-I from gilts harvested at three gestation lengths

Swine research, 2005 is known as Swine day, 2005A total of 59 gilts were used to determine the effects of supplemental L-carnitine on gilt growth and maternal insulin-like growth factor- I (IGF-I). Experimental treatments were arranged in a 2 × 3 factorial with main effects of L-carnitine (0 or 50 ppm) and day of gestation (40, 55, or 70). All gilts received a constant feed allowance of 3.86 lb/day and a topdress containing either 0 or 88 mg of Lcarnitine, starting on the first day of breeding. No differences (P>0.05) between treatments were observed for BW, estimated protein mass, or estimated fat mass at any gestation length. At d 70 of gestation, there was a numeric increase (P>0.10) in BW for the gilts fed L-carnitine, compared with those fed the control diet. At d 40 of gestation, gilts fed Lcarnitine tended to have greater (P = 0.10) backfat, compared with the gilts fed the control diet; but no differences (P>0.05) were observed in backfat on d 0, 55, or 70 of gestation. In addition, no differences (P>0.05) were observed in maternal IGF-I between treatments at any gestation length. Total and free plasma L-carnitine concentrations were similar (P>0.10) at d 0 of gestation, but concentrations were higher (P<0.01) by d 40 of gestation in the gilts fed L-carnitine. These results show that supplemental L-carnitine numerically increases BW of gestating gilts. This data represents the first part of an ongoing study, with the rest of the data being reported in subsequent publications