An evaluation of several diet acidifiers commonly utilized in pig starter diets to improve growth performance

Early-weaned pigs (weaned at 14 d of age) that are managed in a conventional one-site production system and fed a complex segregated early-weaning diet will benefit from the inclusion of a diet acidifier during the first week. However, the data indicate no benefit from including a diet acidifier in semicomplex diets fed during subsequent growth phases

The effects of experimental potato protein on starter pig growth performance

This study suggested that experimental potato protein can be an effective replacement for a portion of spray-dried animal plasma in starter diets. Pigs fed combinations of experimental potato protein and spray-dried plasma had greater ADG than those fed either protein source alone. In phase II diets, pigs fed experimental potato protein had similar ADG and FIG compared with those fed spray-dried blood meal and select menhaden fish meal

Performance of weanling pigs fed diets containing various lactose sources

Two growth trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing the lactose provided by dried whey in the phase II diet with either deproteinized whey or an alternative lactose source, DairyLac 80®. No differences in performance observed among pigs fed diets containing 10% dried whey or deproteinized whey or DairyLac 80®. These trials indicate that deproteinized whey and DairyLac 80® can be used to replace the lactose contained in dried whey for starter pig diets

The effects of dietary energy density and lysine:calorie ratio on the growth performance of the 20 to 55 lb pig

A total of 336 barrows (initially 21.8 lb and 31 ± 2 d of age) was used to evaluate the results of increasing levels of choice white grease and lysine:calorie ratio on pig performance. Increasing levels of both choice white grease and lysine:calorie ratio improved the growth rate and efficiency of pigs fed from 20 to 55 lb

Determining the optimal isoleucine:lysine ratio in diets for the segregated early-weaned pig

A 14-d growth trial was conducted to evaluate effects of increasing isoleucine: lysine ratios on growth performance of the segregated early-weaned pig. Twelve experimental diets included two levels of lysine (1.15%and 1.50% digestible lysine) and six digestible isoleucine: lysine ratios (40, 45,50, 55, 60, and 65% relative to lysine) in a 2 x 6 factorial arrangement. From d 0 to 14, growth performance was improved by feeding 1.50% digestible lysine. A linear improven1ent in growth performance occurred from d 0 to 7 as the isoleucine:lysine ratio increased. Although a significant quadratic response was not observed, little improvement in pig performance occurred above the 60% apparent digestible isoleucine: lysine ratio. Increasing isoleucine had no effect on the overall growth perforn1ance from d 0 to 14, but plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) was linearly reduced on d 14. These data suggest that the isoleucine requirement for the SEW pig is approximately 60% of lysine on an apparent digestible basis. However, because this response was observed only in the first week postweaning, further research is required to confirm this high a requirement for isoleucine

Evaluation of various specialty protein sources as replacements for spray-dried animal plasma in diets for segregated early-weaned pigs

We used high-health status, weanling pigs to evaluate six different protein sources as replacements for spray-dried animal plasma. Spray-dried blood meal, spray-dried egg, spray-dried wheat gluten, extruded soy protein concentrate, select menhaden fish meal, and soybean meal each replaced 2.5 or 5.0% spray-dried animal plasma. Pigs fed increasing levels of spray-dried blood meal, spray-dried egg, or soybean meal had decreased ADFI; however, increasing levels of select menhaden fish meal, extruded soy protein concentrate, and spray-dried wheat gluten had no influence or increased ADFI. For the high-health pigs used in this trial, select menhaden fish meal, extruded soy protein concentrate, and soybean meal appear to be effective in replacing a portion of the spray-dried plasma in the segregated-early weaned (SEW) diet. However, in contrast to other studies, the level of spray-dried animal plasma was not observed to have an effect on SEW pig performance. The conflicting results between this study and past trials in the performance of spray-dried blood meal and spray-dried egg indicate that quality standards should be established for all protein sources

Determining the optimal threonine:lysine ratio for the 25 to 50 lb pig

A 21-day growth trial was conducted to determine the threonine: lysine ratio necessary to optimize growth performance of the 25 to 50 Ib pig reared in a high-health, segregated early-weaning (SEW) system. Ten experimental diets, including two levels of lysine (.75% and 1.10% apparent digestible lysine) and five apparent digestible threonine:lysine ratios (40, 47.5, 55, 62.5, and 70%), were used in a 2 x 5 factorial arrangement. Growth performance was improved by feeding 1.10% rather than.75% digestible lysine. Also, results indicated that the apparent digestible threonine requirement for the SEW:-reared, 25 to 50 lb pig is approximately 55% of digestible lysine

The effects of supplementing growing-finishing pig diets with carnitine and(or) chromium on growth and carcass characteristics

Eighty crossbred gilts (initially 83 lb)were used to examine the effects of 50 ppm carnitine and(or) 200 ppb chromium from chromium nicotinate on growth performance and carcass characteristics. In this trial, adding carnitine and(or) chromiun1 to the diets of high-lean growth finishing gilts did not increase carcass leanness. However, the combination of carnitine and chromium improved the color characteristics of the longissimus muscle