Gilt Training for Electronic Sow Feeding Systems in Gestation

An electronic sow feeding (ESF) system provides the capability of feeding group-housed gestating gilts and sows on an individual basis. One of the most critical and yet often neglected steps in making an ESF system a success is proper gilt training. Different farms have protocols adapted to their particular situation, but the overall goal of gilt training is to ensure that a high percentage of gilts learn how to utilize the ESF station before they are moved to gestation. There are three critical steps in proper gilt training. These include: 1) pre-training; 2) training once the gilts have been moved to the training pen with the ESF; and 3) a post-training period. To have a successful gilt training requires dedicated people who are patient, observant, and also who are able to establish a connection with the females. This frequently necessitates that one or two people are directly responsible for gilt training in an ESF system. This paper will illustrate some of the key gilt training steps involved with an ESF system

Effects of Standardized Ileal Digestible Lysine on Nursery Pig Growth Performance

Lysine is the first limiting amino acid in swine diets, thus providing the appropriate level in the diet is critical to growth performance. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys requirement of nursery pigs from 15 to 35 lb. A total of 300 maternal line barrows (200 × 400, DNA, Columbus, NE; initially 14.9 ± 0.5 lb BW) were fed six experimental diets as part of a 21-d trial. Pigs were randomly allotted to pens at weaning based on BW, and were fed a common pelleted diet for 9 d after weaning. Pens were then randomly assigned to dietary treatments (10 pens/treatment with 5 pigs/pen) based on average pig weight. The six dietary treatments had increasing SID Lys (1.05, 1.15, 1.25, 1.35, 1.45, and 1.55%) and were achieved by increasing the inclusion of crystalline AA, allowing soybean meal to stay constant across dietary treatments. Experimental data were analyzed using general linear and non-linear mixed models with heterogeneous residual variances. Competing models included linear (LM), quadratic polynomial (QP), broken-line linear (BLL), and broken-line quadratic (BLQ). For ADG, F/G, and IOFC, the best-fitting model was selected using Bayesian information criterion. Overall, increasing SID Lys improved (linear, P \u3c 0.05) ADG and F/G. There was also a tendency for a quadratic response for ADG (P \u3c 0.10) with increasing SID Lys. The ADFI increased (quadratic, P \u3c 0.05) from 1.05 to 1.25% SID Lys with little improvement thereafter. For ADG, the best-fitting comparable models were BLL and BLQ, in which the maximum mean ADG was estimated at 1.29% (95% CI: 1.23, 1.35%) and 1.47% (95% CI: 1.31, \u3e 1.55%) SID Lys, respectively. For F/G, the best-fitting model was the LM where F/G was improved up to at least 1.55% SID Lys. For income over feed cost (IOFC), the best-fitting model was the BLL, in which the maximum mean IOFC was estimated at 1.25% (95% CI: 1.14, 1.36%). In conclusion, the estimated SID Lys required for maximum mean ADG of these maternal line barrows was lower than the estimated mean SID Lys required for maximum mean F/G. This study provides evidence that different response variables can result in different estimates of the requirements; however, at least 1.25% SID Lys was needed to maximize IOFC

Determining the standardized ileal digestible lysine requirement of 6.8 to 15.9 kg pigs

Citation: Vier, C. M., De Souza, I. B., De Jong, J. A., Goncalves, M. A. D., Jones, A. M., Goodband, R. D., . . . Dritz, S. S. (2016). Determining the standardized ileal digestible lysine requirement of 6.8 to 15.9 kg pigs. Journal of Animal Science, 94, 191-191. doi:10.2527/msasas2016-408A total of 300 maternal line barrows (DNA; 200 × 400, initially 6.75 ± 0.23 kg BW) were used in a 21d trial to determine the standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys requirement of nursery pigs from 6.8 to 15.9 kg. Pigs were randomly allotted to pens at weaning based on BW and were fed a common diet for 9 d after weaning. There were 10 replicate pens/treatment and 5 pigs/pen. Pens of pigs were allotted to experimental diets based on average BW, in a completely randomized design. The 6 dietary treatments consisted of 1.05, 1.15, 1.25, 1.35, 1.45, and 1.55% SID Lys and were achieved by increasing the inclusion of crystalline amino acids, allowing soybean-meal to stay constant across dietary treatments. Experimental data was analyzed using general linear and nonlinear mixed models with heterogeneous residual variances and pen as the experimental unit. Competing models included linear (LM), quadratic polynomial (QP), broken-line linear (BLL), and broken-line quadratic (BLQ). The best-fitting model for each response was selected using Bayesian information criterion (BIC). Increasing SID Lys linearly improved (P = 0.001) G:F. There was a marginal quadratic response for ADG (P = 0.067) with increasing SID Lys. The ADFI increased in a quadratic manner (P = 0.019) from 1.05 to 1.25% SID Lys. For ADG, the best-fitting comparable models were BLL [predicted equation: 462– 271 × (1.29– Lys), if SID Lys 1.55]%), respectively. For G:F, the best-fitting models were QP [predicted equation: 0.750– 0.317 × (Lys) + 0.214 × (Lys)2] and LM [predicted equation: 0.392 + 0.241 × (Lys)], estimating the requirement at greater than 1.55% for both models. In conclusion, the estimated mean SID Lys required for nursery pigs from 6.8 to 15.9 kg ranged from 1.29% for maximum ADG to at least 1.55% for maximum G:F

Effects of Dietary Total Calcium to Total Phosphorus Ratio on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Bone Mineralization, and Economics in 58- to 281-lb Pigs

A total of 1,134 barrows and gilts (PIC; 359 × Camborough) with an initial pen average body weight (BW) of 58.0 ± 1.57 lb were used in a 110-d growth trial to determine the effects of feeding different analyzed total calcium to phosphorus (Ca:P) ratios on performance of growing-finishing pigs from 58 to 281 lb. Pens of pigs were randomly assigned to 1 of 6 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design with BW as a blocking factor. There were 7 replicate pens per treatment and 27 pigs per pen. The experimental diets were corn-soybean meal-based, and were fed in 4 phases. The 6 dietary treatments were formulated to contain 0:75:1, 1.00:1, 1.25:1, 1.50:1, 1.75:1, and 2.00:1 analyzed total Ca:P ratio. All diets were formulated to contain adequate standardized total tract digestible P across the dietary treatments in all phases. The treatments were achieved by increasing the amount of calcium carbonate at the expense of corn while maintaining monocalcium phosphate constant. Overall, increasing analyzed total Ca:P ratio increased (quadratic, P \u3c 0.05) average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and final BW. The greatest increase was observed as the ratio increased from 0.75:1 to 1.25:1, and decreased with higher ratios. Feed efficiency was relatively similar across analyzed total Ca:P ratios of 0.75:1 to 1.75:1, and worsened (quadratic, P \u3c 0.05) at the highest ratio of 2.00:1. For carcass characteristics, hot carcass weight (HCW) and carcass ADG increased (quadratic, P \u3c 0.05) as the analyzed total Ca:P ratio increased up to 1.25:1 and started to decrease thereafter. Carcass yield decreased (quadratic, P \u3c 0.05) with increasing analyzed total Ca:P ratio. Bone mineralization increased quadratically (P \u3c 0.05) with increasing analyzed total Ca:P ratio. The greatest improvement in bone ash was observed as the ratio increased from 0.75:1 to 1.25:1, with little increase thereafter. Feed cost per pig increased quadratically (P \u3c 0.05) and feed cost per pound of gain increased linearly (P \u3c 0.05) with increasing analyzed total Ca:P ratio, with the highest feed cost and cost per pound of gain observed at 2.00:1. Gain value and income over feed cost (IOFC) increased quadratically (P \u3c 0.05), with the greatest revenue observed for pigs fed diets with 1.25:1 analyzed total Ca:P ratio, and IOFC for pigs fed 1.00:1 analyzed total Ca:P ratio. For ADG, ADFI, feed efficiency (modeled as gain-to-feed ratio, G:F), and bone ash the quadratic polynomial model demonstrated the best fit. The maximum responses in ADG, ADFI, G:F, HCW, IOFC, and bone ash were estimated at 1.38:1, 1.49:1, 1.29:1, 1.25:1, 1.10:1, and 1.93:1 analyzed total Ca:P ratio, respectively. In conclusion, for growing-finishing pigs from 53 to 287 lb, the total analyzed Ca:P ratio ranged from 1.10:1 to 1.49:1 to maximize growth performance, HCW, and IOFC criteria. A higher analyzed total Ca:P ratio, estimated at 1.93:1, was required to maximize bone mineralization

Economic Model for Optimum Standardized Total Tract Digestible Phosphorus for Finishing Pigs

An adequate supply of dietary phosphorus (P) is important for pig growth performance and bone mineralization. However, P represents the third most expensive nutrient in swine diets after energy and protein and can greatly affect diet cost. Therefore, the objective of this project was to develop a tool to compare current dietary standardized total tract digestible (STTD) P concentrations to suggested values that yield maximum growth performance while accounting for different financial scenarios. The phosphorus economic tool is a Microsoft Excel-based model that evaluates the user’s current dietary STTD P concentrations for a specific production system and market conditions. The tool takes into consideration whether the system is marketing pigs on a fixed time or fixed weight basis. Moreover, the user has the option of an imperial or metric version, as well as the evaluation using two different energy systems: metabolizable energy and net energy. Data from Vier et al. have described the dose response curve to increasing STTD P for late nursery and finishing pigs under commercial conditions. Based on these data, regression equations were developed to predict the STTD P requirement, as a percentage of the diet, for maximum growth rate according to the energy content of the user’s diets. For model calculations, non-linear regression equations for average daily gain and feed efficiency are used. The tool calculates profitability indicators utilizing live or carcass weights. For profitability calculations on a carcass basis, a regression equation was developed to account for the effect of STTD P on carcass yield. This tool provides a means for the users to compare their current STTD P concentrations to levels required to achieve maximum growth performance, while considering the financial implications under dynamic productive and economic situations. The model can be accessed at www.ksuswine.org or at the open science framework data repository

Effects of Added Fat on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Economics of Growing and Finishing Pigs Under Commercial Conditions

A total of 1,637 mixed gender pigs (PIC; 359 × Camborough) with an initial pen average body weight (BW) of 87.8 ± 2.39 lb were used in a 110-d growth trial to determine the effects of feeding increasing levels of dietary fat on performance of growing-finishing pigs from 88 to 286 lb. The trial was conducted from late June to early October. Pens of pigs were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design with BW as a blocking factor. There were 16 replicate pens per treatment and 20 to 27 pigs per pen. The experimental diets were corn-soybean meal-based and were fed in 5 phases. The 4 dietary treatments were formulated to contain 0, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5% added fat. During the grower and finisher periods, results of this study demonstrated no evidence of difference (P \u3e 0.05) in average daily gain (ADG) but a linear decrease (P \u3c 0.05) in average daily feed intake (ADFI) with increasing dietary fat level. During the grower period, there was a quadratic change (P \u3c 0.05) in feed-to-gain ratio (F/G). The greatest improvement in feed efficiency occurred as the dietary fat increased from 0 to 3%, with no improvements thereafter. During the finisher period, adding up to 4.5% fat to the diet resulted in a linear improvement (P \u3c 0.05) in F/G. Overall, there was no evidence of differences (P \u3e 0.05) in ADG and final BW as dietary fat level increased. Even though not statistically significant, changes in ADG were close to prior expectation and averaged 0.7% for every percent of added fat. Average daily feed intake decreased linearly (P \u3c 0.05) as the level of added dietary fat increased up to 4.5%. Increasing dietary fat level resulted in a quadratic improvement (P \u3c 0.05) in F/G. In addition, for every 1% fat increment, F/G improved on average 2.2%. For carcass characteristics, there was no evidence of differences (P \u3e 0.05) in hot carcass weight (HCW), percentage carcass yield, loin depth, and fat-free lean measurements due to increasing the level of added fat in the diet. Carcass backfat, however, increased linearly (P \u3c 0.05) with increased inclusion of fat in the diet from 0 to 4.5%. Feed cost per pig increased linearly (P \u3c 0.05) with increased dietary fat level. Feed cost per pound of gain increased quadratically (P \u3c 0.05) as the level of fat in the diet increased, with the highest cost per pound of gain observed at 4.5% fat inclusion. No evidence for differences (P \u3e 0.05) was observed for revenue per pig due to added fat in the diet. The increased feed cost in combination with lack of evidence of differences in revenue per pig resulted in a linear decrease (P \u3c 0.05) in income over feed cost (IOFC), with the highest income observed when pigs were fed diets with no added fat. The results of this experiment demonstrate that adding dietary fat mainly improved feed efficiency as expected. Also, economic decisions to use added fat depend on ingredient and pig market price, as well as potential of moving a larger proportion of lighter weight pigs into a higher value grid price

Standardized Total Tract Digestible Phosphorus Requirement of 25- to 50-lb Pigs

A total of 1,080 barrows and gilts (PIC; 337 × Camborough, initial pen average BW of 25.2 ± 0.64 lb) were used in a 21-d trial to determine the standardized total tract digestible (STTD) P requirement of nursery pigs from 25 to 50 lb. Two groups of pigs were weaned at approximately 21 d and allotted to pens according to BW and gender. There were 6 replicate pens per treatment and 23 to 27 pigs per pen. Pens of pigs were randomly allotted to experimental diets based on average BW at d 21 and 24 post-weaning, in a randomized complete block design. The 7 dietary treatments consisted of 0.26, 0.30, 0.33, 0.38, 0.43, 0.48, and 0.53% STTD P. These values represented 80, 90, 100, 115, 130, 145, and 160% of the NRC (2012) requirement estimate for STTD P for pigs weighing between 25 to 55 lb, respectively. Two corn-soybean meal-based diets were formulated to contain 0.26 and 0.53% STTD P by increasing the inclusion of limestone and monocalcium phosphate at the expense of corn, maintaining a similar 1.17:1 to 1.18:1 total Ca:P ratio, with no phytase added to the diets. Diets were blended using a robotic feeding system to achieve the intermediate STTD P levels. Increasing STTD P improved ADG, ADFI, F/G, and final BW (linear, P \u3c 0.001). There was also a marginally significant quadratic response for F/G (P = 0.067), with the greatest improvement as STTD P was increased from 0.26% to 0.33%. Income over feed cost also improved linearly through 0.53% STTD P (P \u3c 0.001). The grams of STTD P intake per day and grams of STTD P intake per kilogram of gain where growth rate reached a point of diminishing returns in response to increased STTD P were higher than the NRC requirement estimates. For ADG, the linear model demonstrated best fit, estimating the maximum response at greater than 0.53% STTD P. For feed efficiency, modeled as G:F, the best-fitting models were the quadratic polynomial (QP) and broken-line linear (BLL). The QP model estimated the maximum at 0.43%, with 99% of maximum G:F achieved at 0.36% STTD P. The BLL plateau was estimated at 0.34% STTD P. In conclusion, the estimated STTD P requirement for nursery pigs from 25 to 50 lb ranged from 0.34 to at least 0.53% depending on the response criteria and statistical model used, which indicates that the NRC (2012) requirement estimate is lower than what is needed to optimize performance and economic return

Determining the Effects of Cup Waterer on Growth Performance of Growing and Finishing Pigs

Two studies were conducted to evaluate the growth performance of growing-finishing pigs in response to different ratios of cup waterers to pigs and different locations of the cup waterers within a pen under commercial conditions. In Exp. 1, 1,134 pigs (initial pen average BW of 35.7 ± 1.17 lb) were housed in pens that provided 6.85 ft2/pig and were used in a 113-d trial during summer months (May through September). Pens of pigs were blocked by location within the barn and allotted to treatments in a randomized complete block design. There were 14 replicate pens per treatment and 27 pigs per pen. Treatments consisted of 1, 2, or 3 cup waterers per pen, resulting in 27, 13.5, and 9 pigs per cup waterer, respectively. From d 0 to 45, increasing the number of cups per pen resulted in a quadratic increase (P \u3c 0.05) in the percentage of days that cups needed to be cleaned in order to remove fecal material. From d 80 to 113, with more waterers per pen, there was a linear increase in days the waterers were cleaned (P \u3c 0.05). For growth performance, there was no evidence of treatment effect from d 0 to 74 (P \u3e 0.10); however, from d 74 to 114 and overall, increasing the number of cup waterers per pen resulted in a linear increase in average daily gain (ADG) and final BW (P \u3c 0.05). Overall, there was no evidence of differences observed for average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed efficiency (F/G) (P \u3e 0.10). In Exp. 2, 1,134 pigs (initial pen average BW of 34.7 ± 0.60 lb) were housed in pens that allowed 6.85 ft2 of space per pig and were used in a 126-d trial during winter months (October through February). Pens of pigs were randomly allotted to 1 of 3 treatments in a randomized complete block design with location within the barn being the blocking factor. There were 14 replicates per treatment and 27 pigs per pen. Treatments consisted of a 1 cup waterer installed 42 in. from the feeder; 2 cup waterers installed 24 in. and 48 in. from one side of the feeder; and 2 cup waterers installed 24 in. from each side of the feeder. Overall, there was no evidence for differences among treatments regarding the percentage of waterers that needed to be cleaned (P \u3e 0.10). For growth performance, no significant treatment effects were observed from d 0 to 70 (P \u3e 0.10). From d 70 to 126 and overall, ADG was increased when pens were equipped with a 1 cup waterer located on each side of the feeder compared to pens with 2 cup waterers located on the same side of the feeder, with pens with 1 waterer intermediate (P \u3c 0.10). However, there was no evidence for an overall treatment effect on ADFI, F/G, and final BW (P \u3e 0.10). Results from this study indicate the optimal water cup to pig ratio changes as pigs increase in body weight. The linear improvement in growth performance as the number of drinking devices increased suggests water availability becomes more critical at heavier weight. Positioning of cup waterers within a pen is also an important factor to be taken into account, with a 1 cup waterer installed on either side of the feeder providing the highest growth rate. However, increasing the number of cups increased management associated with cleaning cups during summer months, but not during winter months. Further characterization of the interactions of cup waterer number, finishing pig weight, and cup waterer cleanliness on growth performance is needed

Effects of Analyzed Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Bone Mineralization, and Economics of 56- to 279-lb Pigs Fed Diets Containing Phytase

A total of 1,215 barrows and gilts (PIC; 359 × Camborough) with an initial pen average body weight (BW) of 55.7 ± 2.06 lb were used in a 114-d growth trial to determine the effects of different analyzed calcium to analyzed phosphorus ratios on performance of growing-finishing pigs from 57- to 279-lb fed diets containing 1,000 phytase units. Pens of pigs were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design with BW as a blocking factor. There were 9 replicate pens per treatment and 27 pigs per pen. The experimental diets were corn-soybean meal-based and were fed in 4 phases. The 5 dietary treatments were formulated to contain 0.75:1, 1.00:1, 1.25:1, 1.50:1, and 2.00:1 analyzed Ca:P ratios. The diets contained 1,000 phytase units (FYT) of Ronozyme Hiphos 2500 (DSM Nutritional Products, Inc., Parsippany, NJ) with assumed releasing values of 0.15% available P (aP) and 0.132% standardized total tract digestible P (STTD P). All the diets were formulated to contain adequate STTD P across the dietary treatments in all phases, which included the expected release of phytase. The treatments were achieved by increasing the amount of calcium carbonate at the expense of corn while maintaining monocalcium phosphate constant. Overall, increasing analyzed Ca:P ratio quadratically increased (P \u3c 0.05) average daily gain (ADG), final BW, and average daily feed intake (ADFI) (P \u3c 0.10). The greatest increase in these criteria was observed as the ratio increased from 0.75:1 to 1.50:1, with no improvement thereafter. Feed efficiency improved linearly (P \u3c 0.05) with increasing analyzed Ca:P ratio up to 2.00:1. For carcass characteristics, hot carcass weight (HCW) increased quadratically (P \u3c 0.05) as the analyzed Ca:P ratio increased from 0.75:1 to 1.50:1, and started to decrease thereafter. Percentage carcass yield decreased (quadratic, P \u3c 0.10) from 0.75:1 analyzed Ca:P ratio to 1.25:1, slightly increasing at higher ratios. Bone mineralization increased quadratically (P \u3c 0.05) with increasing analyzed Ca:P ratio. The greatest improvement in percentage bone ash was observed as analyzed Ca:P ratio increased from 0.75:1 to 1.25:1, with no further increase. Feed cost per pig increased linearly (P \u3c 0.05) with increasing analyzed Ca:P ratio. No evidence of differences (P \u3e 0.10) was observed for feed cost per pound of gain. Gain value per pig increased quadratically (P \u3c 0.05), with the greatest revenue observed for pigs fed diets with 1.50:1 analyzed Ca:P ratio. There was a marginal quadratic improvement (P \u3c 0.10) in income over feed cost (IOFC), with the highest income observed at 1.25:1 analyzed Ca:P ratio. The best fitting models for ADG, ADFI, feed efficiency, HCW, and bone ash were the quadratic polynomial (QP), linear, broken-line linear (BLL), QP, and BLL models, respectively. The maximum responses in ADG, feed efficiency, HCW, and bone ash were estimated at 1.63:1, 1.05:1, 1.11:1, and 1.25:1 analyzed Ca:P ratio, respectively. In conclusion, the estimated analyzed Ca:P ratio requirement for finishing pigs from 56- to 279-lb fed diets containing 1,000 phytase units and that were adequate in STTD P ranged from 1.05:1 to 1.63:1 to maximize growth rate, feed efficiency, HCW, and bone mineralization criteria

Effects of Standardized Total Tract Digestible Phosphorus on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Bone Mineralization, and Economics of 53- to 287-lb Pigs

A total of 1,130 barrows and gilts (PIC; 359 × Camborough, initial pen average BW of 53.2 ± 1.61 lb) were used in a 111-d growth trial to determine the standardized total tract digestible (STTD) P requirement of growing-finishing pigs from 53 to 287 lb. Pens of pigs were randomly assigned to 1 of 6 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design with BW as a blocking factor. There were 7 replicate pens per treatment and 26 to 27 pigs per pen (at least 13 barrows and gilts per pen). The experimental diets were corn-soybean meal-based and were fed in 4 phases. The 6 dietary treatments were formulated to contain 80, 90, 100, 115, 130, and 150% of the NRC publication STTD P requirement for growing-finishing pigs within each phase. The STTD P levels were achieved by increasing the amount of limestone and monocalcium phosphate at the expense of corn, maintaining a similar 1.14 to 1.16:1 total Ca:P ratio across treatments, with no added phytase. Overall, increasing STTD P resulted in a quadratic response in ADG, F/G, and final BW (P \u3c 0.05). The greatest improvement was observed with STTD P at 130% of NRC for ADG and final BW and 115% STTD P of the NRC recommendation for F/G. Average daily feed intake increased linearly with the inclusion of STTD P (P \u3c 0.05). Increasing STTD P resulted in a linear increase in fat-free bone ash weight and percentage ash (P \u3c 0.05). Barrows had significantly higher percentage ash compared to gilts (P \u3c 0.05). Increasing STTD P resulted in an increase in HCW and carcass ADG, with the greatest response observed with STTD P at 130% of NRC (quadratic, P \u3c 0.05). There was a marginally significant quadratic response in carcass F/G, with the greatest improvement with STTD P at 115% of NRC (P \u3c 0.10). Carcass yield decreased with increasing STTD P (linear, P \u3c 0.05), while there was a marginally significant decrease in backfat and increase in fat-free lean (linear, P \u3c 0.10). No difference was observed for loin depth (P \u3e 0.05). Feed cost per pig increased linearly with increasing STTD (P \u3c 0.05). Contrarily, gain value per pig and IOFC increased quadratically, with the greatest profit observed with STTD P at 130% of NRC (P \u3c 0.05). For ADG and feed efficiency, the quadratic model demonstrated the best fit. The maximum response in ADG was estimated at 122% of NRC STTD P, and the maximum response in feed efficiency was estimated at 116% of NRC STTD P. The broken-line linear model best fitted the data for ash as a percentage of fat-free dried bone, with a plateau achieved at 131% of the NRC STTD P requirement. In conclusion, the estimated STTD P requirement for growing-finishing pigs from 53 to 287 lb ranged from 116 to 131% of the NRC publication recommendations for each phase, depending on the response criteria and statistical model