The Effect of Feeding Frequency and Feed Flavoring on Performance of Lactating Sows and Gilts

Inadequate feed consumption by sows (below 10 lb/day) in the farrowing house accompanied by large weight losses during lactation is a major problem in the swine industry. Excessive sow weight loss is often associated with poor milking performance and delayed return to estrus after weaning. High temperature in the farrowing house is often to blame for inadequate feed intake. However, even under the most ideal management the problem often exists. The trial reported herein is a part of a regional study (NCR-89, Confinement Management of Swine) to evaluate the effect of feeding frequency and the addition of sugar to the diet on sow feed intake and lactation performance

Effect of a Lactobacillus Culture in Diets Of Growing-finishing Swine

Lactobacillus cultures have been used in the preservation of human foods for centuries. More recently it has been shown that feeding lactobacillus to pigs can influence the bacterial flora of the intestinal tract. A reduction in enteritis and also an improvement in weight gain have been reported, although the results with lactobacillus cultures as feed supplements have been variable. The objective of this study was to evaluate a dried viable culture mixture of lactobacillus in diets of different protein content for growing-finishing swine

Effect of Pen Space and Vitamin Level on Performance of Growing-Finishing Swine

Previous research at South Dakota State University has shown that pigs housed in a completely enclosed confinement building consume less feed and gain slower during enclosed confinement building consume less feed and gain slower during the finishing period than pigs housed in an open-front facility. Boredom or building fatigue caused by prolonged confinement in a limited space have been suggested as possible causes of this reduced performance. The experiment reported herein was conducted to obtain information on the effect of increasing pen space and/or doubling the level of vitamins in the diet during the finishing from approximately 140 pounds to 220 pounds

Influence of Supplemental Dietary Potassium on Performance of Growing-Finishing Swine

Potassium is one of the mineral nutrients that has been considered to be present in adequate amounts in swine diets formulated with commonly used feed ingredients. However, nutrient contents of feed ingredients have been shown to change with intensive cropping practices and also with different feed processing procedures. Recent research has indicated that potassium may improve the utilization of lysine, particularly in diets containing lysine below recommended levels. This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of growing-finishing pigs fed different levels of supplemental dietary potassium and to evaluate the effect of previous dietary lysine treatment on subsequent performance

Effect of Movement and Mixing of Pigs on Performance During the Finishing Period

During the past few years producers have reported that growth rates of pigs plateau or even decline during the finishing period rather than increasing to weights of 200 or 220 pounds as might be expected. The problem, sometimes referred to as stall out , is often related to enclosed housing but not limited exclusively to this method of housing. This experiment was one of a series that this station has conducted to study this problem. The objectives were to determine the effects of movement of pigs and also mixing and moving pigs at weights of about 140 pounds on performance to 220 pounds

Protein Needs of Barrows and Gilts 75 to 225 Pounds

Although a considerable amount of research has been conducted on the protein requirement of growing-finishing barrows and gilts, there is still a discrepancy in the recommendations given. Most research has been conducted by feeding barrows and gilts together. Data have suggested gilts require more dietary protein than barrows. This experiment was part of a regional project of the North Central Swine Nutrition Committee. The objective of the study was to determine the difference in the protein requirement between barrows and gilts

Effect of Sorting Pigs into Uniform Weight Groups at Birth

It has been demonstrated that larger pigs at birth have a greater survival rate than do small pigs, particularly in large litters. It is assumed that part of the death loss is because smaller pigs are weaker and do not compete well in establishing the peck order for position of nursing. It would seem logical that lessening the competition due to size differences at birth would lead to less death loss before weaning. The experiment reported herein was designed to evaluate the effect on pig performance and survivability of sorting pigs into groups of similar weight

Trace Mineral Supplementation of Diets for Growing-Finishing Swine

Until the past few years, most diets for growing-finishing swine contained .5% salt. However, recent research has confirmed that a level of .2 to .25% added salt will meet the dietary sodium and chlorine requirements of the growing-finishing pig fed a grain-soybean meal diet. Some producers rely on trace mineral salt to supply the needed trace minerals to the diet. A reduction in the amount of trace mineral salt added to the diet from .5 to .25% results in only half as much of each of the trace minerals supplemented to the diet. The study reported herein was designed to evaluate the performance of growing-finishing pigs fed salt containing different amounts of trace minerals at a level of .25% of the diet

Effect of Lactation Feeding Level on Sow and Pig Performance

Milk production of the sow during lactation is influenced by feed consumed, condition of the sow, length of lactation and number of pigs she is nursing. Previous work at this station has shown and economic advantage for feeding sows ad libitum vs. limiting feed during lactation if sale weight of the sow is taken into consideration. The experiment reported herein is an attempt to confirm these fidnings and apply present costs and prices to the data to determine the most economical feeding management during lactation

Feed Additive Additions to Pig Creep Feed

Considerable variation often occurs in litter performance and survivability during the lactation period. While most pig losses occur during early lactation, some deaths do occur after the pig is old enough to consume part of its dietary needs from creep feed. The study reported herein was designed .to evaluate the effect of adding Neo-Terramycin or Aurea SP-250 to the creep diets from day 14 to day 28 of lactation