Evaluation of different oil sources for nursery pigs

A total of 210 pigs (PIC 327 × 1050, initially 28.9 lb BW) were used in a 21-d trial to evaluate the effects of increasing oil sources on nursery pig growth performance. The 2 oil sources included a commercial source of soybean oil and a proprietary source of corn oil originating from the ethanol industry (Corn Oil ONE, Feed Energy Co., Pleasant Hill, IA). The 5 experimental diets included: a control diet without added oil, diets with 2.5 or 5% added soybean oil, or diets with 2.5 and 5% added corn oil. Diets were formulated with an identical standardized ileal digestible lysine:calorie ratio and were fed in meal form. There were 6 pens per treatment with 7 pigs per pen. Overall, from d 0 to 21, no oil source × level interactions were observed. Increasing corn oil or soybean oil had no effect on ADG or final BW. Increasing corn oil or soybean oil decreased (linear, P \u3c 0.05) ADFI, which resulted in improved (linear, P \u3c 0.01) F/G. Caloric efficiency was not affected by oil source or level. Feed cost per pig tended to decrease (linear, P = 0.066) for pigs fed increasing levels of soy oil. Cost per pound of gain decreased for both Corn Oil ONE (linear, P = 0.032) and soybean oil (linear, P = 0.008) as oil level increased. Value of the weight gain and income over feed cost was similar for pigs fed diets with Corn Oil ONE and soybean oil (P = 0.833). This study shows the benefits of adding a dietary oil source in late-phase nursery diets to achieve improved feed efficiency. Corn Oil ONE is a suitable alternative for soybean oil, and cost and availability should dictate which source is used.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 20, 201

Effects of algae-derived β-glucans with zinc on nursery pig growth performance and immune response under commercial conditions

An experiment was conducted to determine the impact of increasing levels of Algamune ZPC (Algal Scientific Corporation, Plymouth, MI) on growth performance and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2)-specific immune response of nursery pigs housed under commercial conditions. Algamune ZPC is a polysaccharide-zinc complex feed additive composed of 35% β-1,3-glucan extracted from algae and 10% zinc. A total of 2,484 pigs (PIC 337 × 1050, initially 15.7 lb) were used in a 40-d trial. After feeding a common pelleted diet for 7 d after weaning, pigs were allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design with 14 or 16 replicate pens and 27 pigs per pen. All pigs were vaccinated with PCV2 and M. hyopneumoniae vaccines (1 mL Fostera PCV and 1 mL Respisure- One; Zoetis, Florham Park, NJ) at d 3 after birth and at weaning. Blood samples of 72 pigs (12 pens per treatment) were collected on d 2, 18, and 38. The 6 experimental diets were fed in two phases (d 0 to 12 and 12 to 40). Dietary treatments included: a negative control diet fed in both phases (1,910 and 110 ppm of zinc oxide in Phase 1 and 2, respectively); the negative control diet with 104, 208, 423, and 625 ppm added Algamune ZPC for both Phase 1 and Phase 2; and a negative control diet with 423 ppm added Algamune ZPC fed during phase Phase 1 followed by the negative control in Phase 2. From d 0 to 40, increasing Algamune ZPC tended to decrease then increase (quadratic, P = 0.09) ADG and increase (linear, P = 0.10) ADFI. No differences were observed in F/G. There were no differences (P \u3e 0.54) in ADG, ADFI or F/G in pigs fed 423 ppm Algamune ZPC in both phases compared with pigs fed 423 ppm Algamune ZPC only in Phase 1 and the negative control diet fed in Phase 2. The lowest removal rates were observed among pigs assigned to 423 ppm Algamune ZPC only in Phase 1 or in both phases (0 and 0.27%, respectively). No evidence of differences was detected in PCV2-neutralizing antibody titers on d 16, but the titers decreased on d 38 (linear, P = 0.04) with increasing Algamune ZPC. In conclusion, including up to 625 ppm of Algamune ZPC in nursery pig diets from 16 to 56 lb had minimal impact on growth performance. Also, modulation of the specific immune response to PCV2 on d 38 after weaning was negatively related to increasing Algamune ZPC under commercial conditions. Key words: β-glucans, immune response, nursery 1 The authors thank Algal Scientific Corporation, Plymouth, MI, for providing Algamune ZPC and for partial financial support. 2 Appreciation is expressed to New Horizon Farms for use of pigs and facilities and to Lanny Bosma, Shannon Paulson, and Marty Heintz for technical assistance. 3 Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University. 64 SWINE DAY 2014 Introduction Feed additives that could modulate the immune response of nursery pigs may serve as an alternative to growth-promoting antimicrobials. β-glucans are polysaccharides containing only glucose and are found as cellulose in plants; cell walls of yeast, fungi, or bacteria; and bran of cereal grains. Research has shown that dietary inclusion of 0.025% of yeast-derived β-glucans in nursery pig diets increased ADG, ADFI, and pig BW on d 28 after weaning (Dritz et al., 19954). In addition, pigs fed 0.025% β-glucans had an increased mortality rate compared with pigs fed the negative control or 0.05% β-glucans, but Li et al. (20065) observed an improvement in the immune system of pigs fed yeast-derived β-glucans. Most research has been performed with β-glucans extracted from specific yeast cell wall components. A new product, Algamune ZPC (Algal Scientific Corporation, Plymouth, MI), contains β-glucans extracted from algae and is a polysaccharide-zinc complex (35% β-1,3-glucan and 10% zinc). Therefore, the objective of this experiment was to determine the impact of Algamune ZPC on growth performance, removal rate, and PCV2-specific immune response of nursery pigs housed under commercial conditions. Procedures The protocol for this experiment was approved by the Kansas State University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. The study was conducted at a commercial research nursery in southwestern Minnesota. The facility was totally enclosed, environmentally controlled, and mechanically ventilated. Pens were distributed across 2 rooms and had completely slatted flooring and deep pits for manure storage. Each pen was equipped with a 5-hole stainless steel dry self-feeder and a pan waterer for ad libitum access to feed and water. Daily feed additions to each pen were accomplished through a robotic feeding system (FeedPro; Feedlogic Corp., Willmar, MN) capable of providing and measuring feed amounts for individual pens. A total of 2,484 pigs (PIC 337 × 1050, initially 15.7 lb BW) were used in a 40-d trial. Pigs were weaned at 19 d of age and were initially fed a common pelleted diet for 7 d before the start of the experiment. On d 7 after weaning, pigs were weighed and pens of pigs were allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design. Each treatment had 14 or 16 replicate pens and 27 pigs per pen, with each pen containing a mix of barrows and gilts. All pigs were vaccinated with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and M. hyopneumoniae vaccines (1 mL Fostera PCV and 1 mL Respisure-One; Zoetis, Florham Park, NJ) on d 3 after birth and at weaning. Blood samples of 72 pigs (12 pens per treatment, 1 pig per pen) were collected on d 2, 18, and 38 of the trial and were submitted to the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory to measure PCV2 antibody titers using indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) assay.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 20, 201

Effect of different systems for the control of environmental temperature on the performance of sows and their litters

Background: In tropical and subtropical regions, temperature values above thermoneutrality for pigs are often experienced and lactating sows maintained outside the thermal comfort zone might have their performance compromised. The use of ventilation or evaporative cooling to maintain animal thermoregulation might be alternatives to minimise animal production losses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the infl uence of three different systems for the control of environmental temperature on the productivity of sows and their litters. Materials, Methods & Results: Three systems of environmental temperature control were evaluated: air-conditioned: AC (n = 79), with farrowing facility temperature controlled by a system of evaporative cooling pads combined with negative pressure ventilation; snout cooler: SC (n = 82), with a cold air outlet directed toward sows, combined with management of curtains; and management of curtains: MC (n = 83). Piglet weight was recorded at cross-fostering, and at 14 and 20 days of age. Temperature (TEMP) and relative humidity (RH) were measured daily at fi ve time points (8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00 h). The variables concerning the sows were analysed with the MIXED procedure of SAS, including the fi xed effect of system and random effects of period and period × system interaction. The weight of piglets, TEMP and RH inside the farrowing facility were analysed as repeated measures using the MIXED procedure. Means were compared with the Tukey-Kramer test. The weight of sows at farrowing, the number of cross-fostered piglets and weight of piglets at cross-fostering were similar among the systems (P > 0.10), with overall means of 241.2 kg, 11.4 piglets and 1.4 kg, respectively.In the AC system, TEMP (23.1ºC) was on average lower (P 0.10) among AC, SC and MC systems regarding sow weight loss during lactation (3.3% vs. 5.0% vs. 4.0%) and weaning-to-estrus interval (4.5 d vs. 5.0 d vs. 4.5 d). The number of weaned piglets was similar among the systems (P > 0.10) with an overall mean of 10.8 weaned piglets. The weight of piglets at weaning tended to be lower (P = 0.083) in the MC than the SC system (5,977 g vs. 6,209 g), whereas piglets of the AC system had an intermediate weight (6,152 g). Discussion: The temperature in SC and MC systems was above the upper critical temperature for sows, mainly between 12:00 and 16:00, which could explain the lower feed intake of sows in the MC system. The higher feed intake of SC sows compared to MC sows is probably related to the microenvironment created by the fresh air over the heads of SC sows improving their thermoregulation and comfort, and preventing a reduction in feed intake. The AC system was the most effi cient in reducing the temperature in the farrowing facility. However, the higher feed intake of AC sows compared to that of MC sows did not result in differences in piglet weight. As the temperature in the AC system was close to the lower critical temperature for the piglets, heating provided to piglets was probably insuffi cient and they required an extra energetic demand for heat production to maintain their body temperature. The higher weight of SC piglets is probably explained by the higher feed intake of sows and by the fact that temperature in the farrowing facility did not decrease as in the AC system

Aging impairs osteoblast differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells grown on titanium by favoring adipogenesis

Aging negatively affects bone/titanium implant interactions. Our hypothesis is that the unbalance between osteogenesis and adipogenesis induced by aging may be involved in this phenomenon. Objective We investigated the osteoblast and adipocyte differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from young and aged rats cultured on Ti. Material and Methods Bone marrow MSCs derived from 1-month and 21-month rats were cultured on Ti discs under osteogenic conditions for periods of up to 21 days and osteoblast and adipocyte markers were evaluated. Results Cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, extracellular matrix mineralization and gene expression of RUNX2, osterix, ALP, bone sialoprotein, osteopontin, and osteocalcin were reduced in cultures of 21-month rats compared with 1-month rats grown on Ti. Gene expression of PPAR-γ , adipocyte protein 2, and resistin and lipid accumulation were increased in cultures of 21-month rats compared with 1-month rats grown on the same conditions. Conclusions These results indicate that the lower osteogenic potential of MSCs derived from aged rats compared with young rats goes along with the higher adipogenic potential in cultures grown on Ti surface. This unbalance between osteoblast and adipocyte differentiation should be considered in dental implant therapy to the elderly population

Evaluation of specialty soy protein sources on nursery pig performance

Swine Industry Day, 2014 is known as Swine Day, 2014A 35-d growth trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of a new soy protein source, Nutrivance (TechMix, Stewart, MN), on nursery pig growth performance. Nutrivance is a modified soy protein produced via a proprietary process combining extraction and enzymatic treatment of soybeans. Pigs (n = 1,188, PIC 337 × 1050; initially 9.8 lb BW) were weaned at 21 d of age and allotted by weight to pens with 27 pigs per pen. Pigs were fed a common diet for 15 d before the start of the study. Pens of pigs (13.5 lb BW) were then allotted to 1 of 4 dietary treatments fed for 14 d followed by a common diet fed for 21 d. The 4 experimental treatments were a corn-soybean meal–based control diet, or a corn-soybean meal–based diet with either 8% Nutrivance, 8.65% HP-300 (Hamlet Protein, Findlay, OH), or 6.85% Soycomil P (SPC; Archer Daniels Midland Co., Decatur, IL). The diets were formulated to the same standardized ileal digestible lysine level with specialty soy protein products replacing a portion of soybean meal in the control diet to form the experimental treatments. From d 0 to 14, there were no differences in ADG or F/G; however, pigs fed the diets containing Nutrivance or HP-300 had decreased ADFI (P < 0.02) compared with those fed the control diet, with pigs fed diets containing SPC intermediate. From d 14 to 35 when a common diet was fed, pigs previously fed the diet with the HP-300 had lower ADFI (P < 0.03) compared with pigs fed the control diet, with pigs previously fed diets containing Nutrivance or SPC intermediate. From d 0 to 35, pigs fed diets containing Nutrivance or HP-300 had decreased ADG and ADFI (P < 0.02) compared with pigs fed the control diet, with pigs fed diets containing SPC intermediate. Final weight (d 35) was greatest (P < 0.04) for pigs fed the control diet and lowest for pigs fed the diet with Nutrivance, and pigs fed the diets with HP-300 or SPC were intermediate. In conclusion, differences exist between alternative specialty soy protein sources, but, the corn-soybean meal control diet elicited the greatest growth performance in this study

Evaluation of specialty soy protein sources on nursery pig performance

A 35-d growth trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of a new soy protein source, Nutrivance (TechMix, Stewart, MN), on nursery pig growth performance. Nutrivance is a modified soy protein produced via a proprietary process combining extraction and enzymatic treatment of soybeans. Pigs (n = 1,188, PIC 337 × 1050; initially 9.8 lb BW) were weaned at 21 d of age and allotted by weight to pens with 27 pigs per pen. Pigs were fed a common diet for 15 d before the start of the study. Pens of pigs (13.5 lb BW) were then allotted to 1 of 4 dietary treatments fed for 14 d followed by a common diet fed for 21 d. The 4 experimental treatments were a corn-soybean meal–based control diet, or a corn-soybean meal–based diet with either 8% Nutrivance, 8.65% HP-300 (Hamlet Protein, Findlay, OH), or 6.85% Soycomil P (SPC; Archer Daniels Midland Co., Decatur, IL). The diets were formulated to the same standardized ileal digestible lysine level with specialty soy protein products replacing a portion of soybean meal in the control diet to form the experimental treatments. From d 0 to 14, there were no differences in ADG or F/G; however, pigs fed the diets containing Nutrivance or HP-300 had decreased ADFI (P \u3c 0.02) compared with those fed the control diet, with pigs fed diets containing SPC intermediate. From d 14 to 35 when a common diet was fed, pigs previously fed the diet with the HP-300 had lower ADFI (P \u3c 0.03) compared with pigs fed the control diet, with pigs previously fed diets containing Nutrivance or SPC intermediate. From d 0 to 35, pigs fed diets containing Nutrivance or HP-300 had decreased ADG and ADFI (P \u3c 0.02) compared with pigs fed the control diet, with pigs fed diets containing SPC intermediate. Final weight (d 35) was greatest (P \u3c 0.04) for pigs fed the control diet and lowest for pigs fed the diet with Nutrivance, and pigs fed the diets with HP-300 or SPC were intermediate. In conclusion, differences exist between alternative specialty soy protein sources, but, the corn-soybean meal control diet elicited the greatest growth performance in this study.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 20, 201

Evaluation of different zinc sources and levels on nursery pig performance

Swine Industry Day, 2014 is known as Swine Day, 2014A total of 294 pigs (PIC 327 × 1050, initially 14.1 lb BW) were used in a 31-d trial to evaluate the effects of increasing levels of two different zinc sources on nursery pig growth performance. Pigs were weaned at 21 d of age and were fed pelleted diets for the first 7 d and a mash diet for 24 d of the 31-d trial. Each treatment had 7 replicate pens with 7 pigs per pen. The 6 experimental diets were: (1) a control diet; (2) a diet with 500 ppm of Zn from Zinco+; (3) a diet with 1,500 ppm of added Zn from Zinco+; (4) a diet with 500 ppm of Zn from zinc oxide (ZnO); (5) a diet with 1,500 ppm of Zn from ZnO; and (6) a diet with 3,000 ppm of Zn from ZnO. All diets contained 110 ppm of Zn from the ZnSO4 provided by the trace mineral premix. Zinco+ (Jefo, Quebec, Canada) is a fat-encapsulated form of ZnO that is suggested to be more bioavailable than ZnO. From d 0 to 7, neither Zn source nor level influenced pig performance. From d 7 to 21, pigs fed increasing Zn from Zinco+ tended to have increased (linear, P = 0.06) ADG and had improved F/G (linear, P < 0.01). Pigs fed increasing levels of Zn from ZnO had greater ADG and ADFI (linear, P < 0.01) and improved F/G (quadratic, P = 0.02). Pigs had greater (P < 0.01) ADG and ADFI when fed diets containing 3,000 ppm of Zn from ZnO compared with pigs fed diets with 500 ppm of Zn from Zinco+. Day 21 BW increased with increasing Zn from Zinco+ (linear, P < 0.03) and Zn from ZnO (P < 0.001), with pigs fed 3,000 ppm of Zn from ZnO having heavier (P < 0.01) d-21 BW compared with those fed 500 ppm of Zn from Zinco+. Overall, from d 0 to 31, increasing Zn from Zinco+ did not affect growth performance, but increasing Zn from ZnO increased (P < 0.01) ADG and ADFI. Pigs fed 500 ppm of Zn from Zinco+ had poorer ADG (P < 0.02) and ADFI (P < 0.01) than pigs fed 3,000 ppm of Zn from ZnO. This study shows the growth benefits of adding 3,000 ppm of Zn from ZnO in diets fed to newly weaned pigs. Lower levels of Zn from Zinco+ did not provide the same growth-promoting potential as the diet with 3,000 ppm of Zn from ZnO

Evaluation of different oil sources for nursery pigs

A total of 210 pigs (PIC 327 × 1050, initially 28.9 lb BW) were used in a 21-d trial to evaluate the effects of increasing oil sources on nursery pig growth performance. The 2 oil sources included a commercial source of soybean oil and a proprietary source of corn oil originating from the ethanol industry (Corn Oil ONE, Feed Energy Co., Pleasant Hill, IA). The 5 experimental diets included: a control diet without added oil, diets with 2.5 or 5% added soybean oil, or diets with 2.5 and 5% added corn oil. Diets were formulated with an identical standardized ileal digestible lysine:calorie ratio and were fed in meal form. There were 6 pens per treatment with 7 pigs per pen. Overall, from d 0 to 21, no oil source × level interactions were observed. Increasing corn oil or soybean oil had no effect on ADG or final BW. Increasing corn oil or soybean oil decreased (linear, P \u3c 0.05) ADFI, which resulted in improved (linear, P \u3c 0.01) F/G. Caloric efficiency was not affected by oil source or level. Feed cost per pig tended to decrease (linear, P = 0.066) for pigs fed increasing levels of soy oil. Cost per pound of gain decreased for both Corn Oil ONE (linear, P = 0.032) and soybean oil (linear, P = 0.008) as oil level increased. Value of the weight gain and income over feed cost was similar for pigs fed diets with Corn Oil ONE and soybean oil (P = 0.833). This study shows the benefits of adding a dietary oil source in late-phase nursery diets to achieve improved feed efficiency. Corn Oil ONE is a suitable alternative for soybean oil, and cost and availability should dictate which source is used.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 20, 201

Comparison of soybean oil and different sources of corn oil on nursery pig growth performance

A total of 350 pigs (PIC 1050; initially 26.45 ± 0.09 lb and 45 d of age) were used in a 21-d study to compare the effects of soy oil and 2 sources of corn oil on nursery pig growth performance. The 7 dietary treatments consisted of a corn-soybean meal–based control diet with no added oil or the control diet with 2.5 or 5% soybean oil (NE = 3,422 kcal/lb) or corn oil from 2 different sources (NE = 3,383 kcal/kg for both sources). There were 5 pigs per pen and 10 pens per treatment. Pig weight and feed disappearance were measured on day 0, 7, 14, and 21 of the trial to determine ADG, ADFI, and F/G. Overall (d 0 to 21), increasing corn or soybean oil improved (linear; P \u3c 0.02) ADG, F/G, and final (d-21) BW, but a source × level interaction was observed (P \u3c 0.05) for ADG, F/G, and caloric efficiency (CE; caloric intake/total BW gain). For ADG, increasing soy oil or corn oil source 1 from 2.5 to 5% increased ADG, whereas increasing corn oil source 2 from 2.5 to 5% decreased ADG. Feed efficiency also improved at a greater rate for pigs fed increasing corn oil source 1 compared with the other oil sources. Caloric efficiency was not influenced by soy oil or corn oil source 2 but was improved (linear, P \u3c 0.05) as corn oil source 1 increased in the diet. The improved CE for corn oil source 1 indicated that the energy value of this source was underestimated. In conclusion, soybean or corn oil improved ADG and F/G as expected; however, growth performance varied among the 3 oil sources. This study shows the benefits of adding an oil source in late-phase nursery pig diets to achieve improved ADG, F/G, and CE, but more research is needed to determine the cause of the varied responses between corn oil sources.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 20, 201

Feed processing parameters and their effects on nursery pig growth performance

A total of 180 nursery pigs (PIC 327 × 1050; initially 27.8 lb) were used in an 18-d study to determine the effects of conditioning parameters and feed form on pig performance. All diets were the same corn, dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS), and soybean meal-based formulation with different processing parameters used to create the experimental treatments. Treatments included: (1) negative control mash diet, (2) positive control pelleted diet conditioned at 60 rpm, (3) pelleted diet conditioned at 30 rpm and reground, (4) pelleted diet conditioned at 60 rpm and reground, and (5) pelleted diet conditioned at 90 rpm and reground. The different rpm values among treatments represent the time in the conditioner during processing. The lower the rpm value, the longer time feed was in the conditioner. Pigs were weaned and fed a common acclimation diet for 21 d prior to the start of the experiment. Average daily gain and F/G did not differ (P > 0.12) between treatments overall, but ADFI decreased (P = 0.03) for pigs fed the pelleted, positive control diet compared with all other diets. Although no overall treatment effects were significant for ADG or F/G, the experiment was designed more specifically to evaluate treatment differences using preplanned comparisons. When considering preplanned contrasts, we observed that pigs fed mash diets tended to have greater (P = 0.10) ADG than those fed pelleted and reground diets, suggesting that processing may have had a negative influence on feed utilization, a hypothesis that is further supported because pigs fed mash diets tended to have greater (P = 0.06) ADG compared with those fed diets that were heat-processed, regardless of regrinding. Considering these results, it was not surprising that pigs fed mash diets had greater (P = 0.05) ADG and ADFI (P = 0.01) than those fed pelleted diets. When directly comparing diets conditioned at 60 rpm, fed either as whole pellets or reground to mash consistency, pigs fed pelleted diets had improved (P = 0.01) F/G due to lower ADFI (P = 0.004) but similar ADG (P = 0.60). This unexpected negative impact of pelleting on ADG may be due to a negative influence of heat treatment on palatability. The expected improvement in F/G from pelleting (6.8%) was observed but lost when diets were reground to near original mash particle size. This result may indicate that diet form (high-quality pellets vs. mash) affects F/G more than degree of starch gelatinization or other intrinsic factors associated with conditioning ingredients