Corn Use as Livestock Feed in Iowa

Historically, feeding livestock has been a major use of corn in Iowa, a major corn growing state. Recently cornbased ethanol plants have become a major user of Iowa corn. Competition for corn has increased. Questions about the amount of corn fed to Iowa livestock have been raised. The objective of this study was to estimate the amount of corn fed to livestock in Iowa. Current livestock production numbers for Iowa were multiplied by probable corn consumption per head of livestock to generate corn usage by species values. The corn consumption for livestock was based on ISU Extension budgets. The total amount of corn fed to livestock in Iowa was estimated at 607 million bushels (Table 1). According to Iowa Agricultural Statistics the total bushels of corn produced in Iowa in 2006 was 2 billion bushels. Therefore, Iowa livestock consumed about 30% of the 2006 corn crop. Iowa finishing pigs were the largest class of livestock consuming corn, approximately 340 million bushels, which is about 16.6% of the Iowa corn crop, or 55% of all the corn fed to livestock in Iowa. If sows and litters are included, corn feeding for swine in Iowa is about 370 million bushels or 18% of the Iowa corn crop, or 60% of all corn fed to Iowa livestock. In short, Iowa pigs consume 1 of every 5 or 6 bushels of corn produced in Iowa and consume more corn than all other Iowa livestock feeding combined. Based on these calculations, in 2006 about 70% of the Iowa crop was not fed to Iowa livestock, rather it was exported out of the state, processed into ethanol, corn sweetener, or other products such as pet food or other miscellaneous uses. This analysis shows that there is ample Iowa corn to feed Iowa livestock

School Dropouts: The Need for Early Identification

If the early warning signs of the potential dropout can be identified, perhaps services designed for these students can be provided

Okara: A Possible High Protein Feedstuff For Organic Pig Diets

A potential alternative organic protein source is okara. Okara is the residue left from ground soybeans after extraction of the water portion used to produce soy milk and tofu. Satisfying the high protein requirements of young pigs presents a production challenge to organic pork producers. The effect of dietary supplementation of okara was evaluated on the growth performance of young pigs. In four replicates, weaned pigs (21 ± 2 d of age) were allotted to one of three pens. Each pen received one dietary treatment. Treatments were control diet (composed of corn, soybean meal, oats, and essential vitamins and minerals), 2) okara 25% (25% of total diet), 3) okara 50% (50% of total diet). Pigs and feed were weighed at d 0 and at 7 d intervals until completion of each 18 d trial. Average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain:feed ratio (G:F) were calculated. Data were analyzed using fixed effect models with repeated measures. Feeding dietary okara to young pigs had no effect on ADG, ADFI, or G:F ratio when compared to control treatment. Diets supplemented with 25% okara increased ADG 14% when compared to diets supplemented with 50% okara. Okara fed at 25% of the diet increased G:F ratio 17% when compared to okara fed at 50% of the diet. Under the conditions of our study dietary okara is a potential high protein organic feedstuff. Inclusion levels of dietary okara up to 25% of the diet could be used with no reduction in ADG, ADFI, or G:F ratio

Farrow-to-Finish in a Hoop Barn: A Demonstration

A variety of systems are currently used for farrowing naturally raised pigs in cold weather. All generally rely upon a primary heat source capable of maintaining a room temperature of 50°F and auxiliary heat sources (heat lamps, bedding pack, hovers) to create a warmer microclimate for the young pigs. Hoop barns have been rapidly adopted by many niche market pork producers, primarily for finishing animals. With a growing interest in producing pigs for the naturally raised pork market, the National Pork Board, in cooperation with Iowa State University and private individuals, formed a committee to design a farrow-to-finish system utilizing one hoop barn per group of pigs

Minimizing Starch Consumption by Finishing Pigs: Demonstrated and Theoretical Approaches

The connections and tensions among grain production, livestock feeding, and biofuel generation is well illustrated by conditions in Iowa during the early 21 st century. The traditional conditions of abundant corn may not continue in the future. It is appropriate to discuss diets based on alternative energy feed sources for swine in Iowa, the leading corn, pig, and ethanol producing state. Because starch is used to make ethanol from corn, the objective of this analysis was to explore swine diets that minimize starch usage. Consumer demand and resultant market prices will ultimately determine whether corn is used for producing ethanol or feeding pigs. For each market pig fed a typical corn-soybean meal diet from 18–127 kg, 262 kg of corn grain is consumed. Proven diets can reduce corn use by about 30% with theoretical diets potentially lowering corn use by 45%. Typical corn-soybean meal diets use starch to supply approximately 60% of the total NE. Proven diets can reduce starch use by 26% with theoretical diets potentially reducing starch use by 45%. Although some alternative feedstuffs can be incorporated into pig diets, the feasibility of expanding their use is uncertain. Effects on pork quality, feed delivery systems, feed storage and handling characteristics, and relative economics of alternatives remain to be explored further. Using bioenergy co-products can reduce corn feeding to pigs by 25% and has the potential to reduce corn feeding to pigs by about 35% to 45%

Energy Balance in Pig Production Systems: A Progress Report

Energy is used in all aspects of pig production, from the manufacture of materials used in building construction to the cultivation and processing of feedstuffs. Historically the availability of fossil fuels has minimized pressure to consider all uses of energy in pig production. Rising energy prices, uncertain access to petroleum supplies, and recognition of the environmental impacts of fossil fuels are increasing awareness and incentive to reduce consumption of limited resources. Comprehensive, accurate information is critical to informed decision making. Analysis of energy use by modern pig farms in Iowa, the Midwest, and the U.S. is needed. The project focuses on pig production–cropping system interaction with methodology developed through the project that will be adaptable to evaluating energy consumption and ecological impact of other livestock systems. This project addresses a need for energy and resource use information by policy makers and community members as they strive to make informed decisions

Teaching Livestock Production for Niche Markets

Niche markets for livestock products are growing both nationally and within Iowa. Broadly, niche markets address consumer demand for product differentiation while enabling producers to take a more active role in price determination. This creates opportunities for individuals who are interested in raising livestock following a production model different from typical commodity production. Student interest in pursuing livestock production for niche markets is strong at Iowa State University. In response to exit-interview requests for coursework addressing production of livestock for niche markets, a course was developed by the authors. In the first semester (Fall 2008), 42 students enrolled in the course. Animal Science 312X: Livestock Production for Niche Markets is a course offered by the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University that helps prepare students to participate in this growing market for livestock products

Oat Screenings: A Novel Swine Feedstuff

The objective of the study was to evaluate ground oat screenings as a substitute dietary ingredient for wheat middlings in swine finishing diets. Due to the high fiber content of oat screenings, heavy finishing pigs were used in the trial. Pigs fed diets containing 20% oat screenings grew slower and less efficiently than pigs fed either Basal diets or diets containing 20% wheat middlings (P \u3c 0.01). Average daily feed intake was not different. Backfat depth was not different across treatments, but pigs fed 20% oat screenings had smaller loin muscle areas (P = 0.0016) as measured using digital ultrasound. Overall, if ground oat screenings have a consistent analysis and supply, it may become a valuable feed ingredient for finishing swine diets with proper supplementation. Additional research would help clarify its true feeding value for swine

Evaluating Delayed Write in a Multilevel Caching File System

Delayed write in a multilevel file system cache hierarchy offers a way to improve performance in diverse client/server scenarios, such as integrating mass store into a distributed file system or providing distributed file system access over low-speed links. Using file system traces and cache simulations, we explore extensions and modifications to the traditional client caching model employed in such file systems as AFS, Sprite, and DFS. High cache hit rates at an intermediate cache server—a machine logically interposed between clients and servers that provides cached file service to the clients—combined with high client cache hit rates lend practicality to an integrated mass storage file system. In such a system, magnetic tape or optical-based mass storage devices may be used as a first-class data repository, fronted by disk and RAM caches to offer acceptable access times to the large, but slow, mass storage system. Similarly, a high cache hit rate is necessary for users accessing file systems via low-speed links, where a delayed write intermediate caching server can mediate traffic to make better use of available bandwidth. In an example taken from mobile computing, an intermediate server might be used as a docking station at a user's home. This arrangement would be convenient for users of mobile computers who upload large amounts of data generated while operating in disconnected mode. Simulations of delayed write caching strategies are applicable to both the mass storage and low-speed link scenarios.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/107940/1/citi-tr-95-9.pd

Bioenergy Co-products as Swine Feed Ingredients: Combining DDGS and Glycerol

Bioenergy production generates two major coproducts—distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) from ethanol plants and crude glycerol from biodiesel plants. We need to evaluate whether these co-products, DDGS and glycerol, can be fed in combination to partially meet the feed energy needs of growing pigs. If successful, the diet with 25% DDGS and 10% glycerol has the potential to reduce corn feeding to market pigs by 40+%. The objective was to evaluate feeding crude glycerol and DDGS in combination to market swine. At the processing plant, a fat sample was taken from the jowl of each pig. The fat sample was analyzed for fatty acids. Pig performance and carcass traits did not differ between diets. Fatty acid composition showed differences based on the dietary treatments. Saturated fatty acids were highest for diets with the most corn and least DDGS – the corn-soy and 10% glycerol diets (P \u3c 0.01). Mono unsaturated fatty acids were highest for the 10% glycerol diet and decreased as DDGS was added with the lowest value for the 25% DDGS diet (P \u3c 0.01). Poly-unsaturated fats were lowest for the corn-soy and 10% glycerol diets and highest for the 25% DDGS diets (P \u3c 0.001). The results of this study show that pig performance was not affected by the addition of DDGS and crude glycerol. The amount of corn fed can be reduced by the addition of DDGS and glycerol. DDGS increases the unsaturated fatty acids in pork fat. Crude glycerol addition partially offsets the DDGS fatty acid effect by reducing polyunsaturated fatty acid content