Validation of flank-to-flank allometric equations in predicting weight of lactating sows and lactation weight change

The objectives of this study were to validate the use of flank-to-flank measurement in predicting weight of lactating sows and to determine the accuracy of the developed models in estimating lactation weight change. A total of 70 lactating sows (PIC Line 1050) were used in this study. Flank-to-flank measurement and body weight were measured on each individual sow after farrowing and at weaning. Flank-to-flank measurement and weight of lactating sows was positively correlated (R2 = 0.61; P<.0001) with the following equation: BW0.33, kg = 0.0371 x Flank-to-flank (cm) + 2.161. Weights of sows post-farrowing and at weaning were lower (P<0.03) when predicted with the previous allometric model developed from growing pigs and sows than their actual weights or weights predicted using the lactating sow model. Likewise, absolute residuals for post-farrowing and weaning weights using a previous allometric model developed from growing pigs and gestating sows were greater (P<0.02) than those of the lactating sow model. There were no differences (P<0.89) between the predicted weights using the lactating sow model and their actual weights. There also were no differences between the actual average weight loss (P<0.14) and the predicted loss using the lactating sow model. Using the model previously developed with growing pigs and gestating sows resulted in 15.5 lb (P<0.007) greater than the actual average weight loss. In conclusion, flank-to-flank measurement can be used as a predictor of weight of lactating sows, with the relationship having less accuracy than those used for growing-finishing pigs, gestating sows, and boars. The pig allometric equation cannot be used to estimate weights of lactating sows and lactation weight change. The developed lactating sow model was more appropriate in estimating weights and weight loss at the herd level, but needs to be validated on other sows before use can be recommended

Comparison of modified concept pr 100 and spray-dried animal plasma on nursery pig performance

One hundred eighty weanling pigs (initially 11.3 lb and 18 ± 2 d of age) were used in a 28-d growth assay to determine if Modified Concept PR 100 (MCNPR), a plant-based protein ingredient containing added synthetic amino acids and nucleic acids, can replace spray-dried animal plasma (SDAP) in nursery pig diets. The five experimental treatments were: 1) control (no specialty protein source); 2) 2.5% SDAP; 3) 5.0% SDAP; 4) 2.5% MCNPR; and 5) 5.0% MCNPR. Treatment diets were fed from d 0 to 14 post-weaning, with a common diet fed to all pigs from d 14 to 28 post-weaning. Analyzed values of MCNPR were noticeably lower than the manufacturer provided values used in diet formulation. The difference in calculated and analyzed lysine values would decrease the total dietary lysine content by 0.027 and 0.056% for the 2.5 and 5.0% MCNPR, respectively. From d 0 to 14, pigs fed increasing SDAP had improved (linear, P0.21) were detected in ADG and ADFI for pigs fed increasing levels of MCNPR, there were improvements by approximately 21 and 11%, respectively, over the control diet. However, pigs fed SDAP had greater (P0.18) were detected in ADG and ADFI for pigs previously fed increasing MCNPR, there were improvements by approximately 10 and 7%, respectively, over the control diet. Although the magnitude of difference between pigs fed SDAP and MCNPR was maintained to the end of the trial, there were no overall significant differences in growth between pigs fed SDAP and MCNPR (P>0.21). These results indicated that SDAP and MCNPR can effectively be used in nursery pig diets to improve growth performance when used as a partial replacement for soybean meal. However, pigs fed SDAP had greater performance than pigs fed MCNPR during the test period, but these differences were not found at the conclusion of the studies

Comparison of concept PR 100 and spray-dried animal Plasma on nursery pig performance

One hundred eighty weanling pigs (initially 12.1 lb and 18 ± 2 d of age) were used in a 28-d growth assay to determine if Concept PR 100 (CNPR), a plant-based protein ingredient with added synthetic amino acids and nucleic acids, can replace spray-dried animal plasma (SDAP) in nursery pig diets. The five experimental treatments were: 1) control (no specialty protein source); 2) 2.5% SDAP; 3) 5.0% SDAP; 4) 2.5% CNPR; and 5) 5.0% CNPR. Treatment diets were fed from d 0 to 14 after weaning, with a common diet fed to all pigs from d 14 to 28 after weaning. From d 0 to 14, pigs fed increasing amounts of SDAP had improved (linear and quadratic, P<0.01) ADG and ADFI, which was primarily due to a large improvement from 0 to 2.5% SDAP, with a smaller increase when 5.0% was fed. In addition, pigs fed diets containing increasing amounts of CNPR had increased(linear and quadratic, P<0.003) ADG and ADFI, with the maximum response observed in pigs fed 2.5% CNPR. Furthermore, pigs fed increasing amounts of SDAP or CNPR had improved F/G (linear, P<0.001 and quadratic, P<0.07, respectively), compared with F/G of control pigs. When comparing the means of pigs fed diets containing SDAP versus those fed CNPR, pigs fed SDAP had greater (P<0.002) ADG, ADFI, and pig weight at d 14, compared with pigs fed CNPR. Overall, (d 0 to 28), pigs fed increasing amounts of SDAP and CNPR had greater ADG, ADFI, and final weight (linear, P<0.01) than did pigs fed the control diet. The greatest improvement for pigs fed both protein sources was observed at 2.5% inclusion in the diet, with a smaller increase up to a 5.0% inclusion. Although either protein source improved growth performance, compared with the control diet, pigs fed SDAP tended to have greater overall ADG (P<0.12) and final body weight (P<0.11) than pigs fed CNPR