The impact of PRRSV on feed efficiency, digestibility and tissue accretion in grow-finisher pigs

The economic losses caused by Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) infection are estimated to cost the US swine industry more than $640 million annually (USDA, 2008). While significant advances have been made through research efforts to enhance our understanding of PRRSV at the animal health, immunological and genomic level, this disease still remains a significant issue in the US swine industry. Although we clearly know that PRRSV attenuates ADG of production pigs, its direct impact on feed efficiency, nutrient and energy digestibility, and whole body lean and fat accretion in grow finisher pigs has been poorly characterized. Therefore, the overall objective of this project was to characterize the impact PRRSV challenge has on grow-finisher pig feed efficiency, energy and nutrient digestibility, and tissue accretion rates

The Effect of Increasing Dietary Manganese from an Organic Source on the Reproductive Performance of Sows

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of dietary manganese on the reproductive performance of sows. Sows (n = 39; 231 ± 8 kg) were randomly assigned to one of three dietary levels of supplemented Mn (CON: 0 ppm Mn; PRO20: 20 ppm Mn; PRO40: 40 ppm Mn). The experimental treatments were initiated at breeding and continued through two parities. The sows were blocked by parity within each farrowing group. The data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design using the MIXED procedure of SAS with diet as a fixed effect and block as a random effect. The lactation feed intake increased in the PRO20 sows compared to the CON and PRO40 sows (p p p < 0.05) compared to the CON sows (7.8%), possibly due to increased milk demand. Supplementary dietary Mn throughout two gestation and lactation cycles led to improved birth weights and pre-weaning growth of piglets

The impact of PRRSV on feed efficiency, digestibility and tissue accretion in grow-finisher pigs

The economic losses caused by Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) infection are estimated to cost the US swine industry more than $640 million annually (USDA, 2008). While significant advances have been made through research efforts to enhance our understanding of PRRSV at the animal health, immunological and genomic level, this disease still remains a significant issue in the US swine industry. Although we clearly know that PRRSV attenuates ADG of production pigs, its direct impact on feed efficiency, nutrient and energy digestibility, and whole body lean and fat accretion in grow finisher pigs has been poorly characterized. Therefore, the overall objective of this project was to characterize the impact PRRSV challenge has on grow-finisher pig feed efficiency, energy and nutrient digestibility, and tissue accretion rates.This proceeding is published as N.K. Gabler, W.P. Schweer, J.F. Patience, L. Karriker, C. Sparks, G. Gourley, M. Fitzsimmons, K. Schwartz and T.E. Burkey (2013) The impact of PRRSV on feed efficiency, digestibility and tissue accretion in grow-finisher pigs. Allen D. Leman Swine Conference 40: 135-136. Posted with permission.</p