The use of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) for prediction of the nutritive value of barley for growing pigs

peer-reviewedThere is a need in the feed industry for a rapid means of evaluating the nutritive value of feeds and feed ingredients. Chemical analysis provides only basic information and most of the laboratory techniques take too long for this information to be of use in feed formulation at the feed mill. Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) has been proposed as an alternative means of predicting nutritive value. In this study, NIRS was used to predict the digestible energy (DE) concentration and in vitro ileal digestibility of crude protein (CP) and total-tract digestibility of energy of locally produced barley. The calibration and validation statistics were developed using modified partial least squares (MPLS). Derivatisation and scatter correction procedures were carried out to reduce interference from external effects. The correlations between actual and predicted DE values, based on both calibration (R2 0.93) and validation (R2 0.69), were strong with corresponding low standard errors of calibration (SEC) and cross validation (SECV) (SEC 0.128, SECV 0.279). Strong correlations were also observed between predicted and actual in vitro digestibility values for both calibration and validation exercises. It was noted that validation weakened the correlations (R2 0.73 vs. 0.50 for in vitro ileal digestibility of CP and 0.80 vs. 0.68 for in vitro total tract digestibility of energy) and fractionally increased the standard errors (0.016 vs. 0.020 for in vitro ileal digestibility of CP and 0.018 vs. 0.024 for in vitro total tract digestibility of energy). The correlations obtained by cross validation of the lowest SECV equations were not significantly different to those obtained by the scatter correction treatments. The strong relationships and low standard errors obtained between the actual and predicted values indicates that NIRS may be of use in predicting the nutritive value of barley for growing pigs, although more research is required to include larger sample sets

Effect of variety, endosperm hardness, the 1B/1R translocation and enzyme addition on the nutritive value of wheat for growing pigs

It has been widely recognised that wheat chemical composition and nutritive value can vary as a result of genotypic differences, but there is a lack of information on wheat grown in Northern Ireland. Furthermore, there have been conflicting reports regarding the effect of endosperm hardness, the 1B/1R translocation and enzyme addition on the nutritive value of wheat for growing pigs. The effects of wheat variety, endosperm hardness, the presence of the 1B/1R translocation and enzyme addition were examined in four experiments involving a total of 326 Large White Landrace pigs. Performance traits of individually housed pigs were measured in Experiments 1, 3 and 4 and apparent in vivo digestibility coefficients were determined at the total tract and ileal level from post-valve-T-caecum cannulated pigs in Experiment 2. The results obtained for the analysis of the chemical composition of the eight varieties were mainly within reported limits. However, there was a wide range of crude protein concentrations (97.8 to 138.7g/kg dry matter) suggesting varietal differences. There was no effect of endosperm hardness or the 1B/1R translocation on chemical composition. In contrast to other research reports, there were no significant differences in pig performance as a result of either variety, endosperm hardness or the presence of the 1B/1R translocation. However, there were significant variety effects on apparent total-tract digestibility coefficients. Enzyme supplementation had no significant effect on pig performance, despite the fact that the basal diet did not have a high nutrient specification.The authors acknowledge the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for Northern Ireland (DARD) and Danisco Animal Nutrition for the financial support which enabled this research to be undertaken. Appreciation is expressed to the staff from the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute who assisted with this work

The effect of boar breed type on reproduction, production performance and carcass and meat quality in pigs

peer-reviewedA total of 720 sows were inseminated with semen from eight commercially available boar breed types (Landrace, Large White, Duroc, Landrace Large White, Landrace Duroc, Landrace Large White Duroc, Large White Duroc and Landrace Large White Pietrain). There were no effects of purebred versus crossbred boar breed type on reproductive performance or on production performance of progeny. The only carcass evaluation parameter affected was V measurement (backfat thickness at the edge of the eye muscle) which was 2 mm thicker (P < 0.05) for the progeny of crossbred boars. Meat from pigs of purebred boars breed had a higher proportion of intramuscular fat than that from crossbred boars breed (26.5 v 21.1 g/kg, respectively, P < 0.05). There were inconsistent effects of individual boar breed type on performance, carcass quality and meat qua lity. Producers should consider the variation between the progeny of individual boars to achieve improved production performance. There was also a lack of relationship between backfat at the P2 position and eye muscle area or depth (r −0.03 and −0.01, respectively) which suggests that carcass characteristics other than P2 backfat need to be included in the selection of breeding animals. Similarly, the weak correlations between carcass and meat quality traits (r < 0.3) indicate that if meat quality is to be improved, it must be specifically included in the selection criteria.The authors gratefully acknowledge joint funding for this research from the Pig Production Development Committee in conjunction with the Ulster Farmers’ Union Pigs Committee and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for Northern Ireland

Studies on the nutritive value of barley for growing pigs

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The use of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) for prediction of the nutritive value of barley for growing pigs

There is a need in the feed industry for a rapid means of evaluating the nutritive value of feeds and feed ingredients. Chemical analysis provides only basic information and most of the laboratory techniques take too long for this information to be of use in feed formulation at the feed mill. Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) has been proposed as an alternative means of predicting nutritive value. In this study, NIRS was used to predict the digestible energy (DE) concentration and in vitro ileal digestibility of crude protein (CP) and total-tract digestibility of energy of locally produced barley. The calibration and validation statistics were developed using modified partial least squares (MPLS). Derivatisation and scatter correction procedures were carried out to reduce interference from external effects. The correlations between actual and predicted DE values, based on both calibration (R2 0.93) and validation (R2 0.69), were strong with corresponding low standard errors of calibration (SEC) and cross validation (SECV) (SEC 0.128, SECV 0.279). Strong correlations were also observed between predicted and actual in vitro digestibility values for both calibration and validation exercises. It was noted that validation weakened the correlations (R2 0.73 vs. 0.50 for in vitro ileal digestibility of CP and 0.80 vs. 0.68 for in vitro total tract digestibility of energy) and fractionally increased the standard errors (0.016 vs. 0.020 for in vitro ileal digestibility of CP and 0.018 vs. 0.024 for in vitro total tract digestibility of energy). The correlations obtained by cross validation of the lowest SECV equations were not significantly different to those obtained by the scatter correction treatments. The strong relationships and low standard errors obtained between the actual and predicted values indicates that NIRS may be of use in predicting the nutritive value of barley for growing pigs, although more research is required to include larger sample sets

The effect of boar breed type on reproduction, production performance and carcass and meat quality in pigs

A total of 720 sows were inseminated with semen from eight commercially available boar breed types (Landrace, Large White, Duroc, Landrace Large White, Landrace Duroc, Landrace Large White Duroc, Large White Duroc and Landrace Large White Pietrain). There were no effects of purebred versus crossbred boar breed type on reproductive performance or on production performance of progeny. The only carcass evaluation parameter affected was V measurement (backfat thickness at the edge of the eye muscle) which was 2 mm thicker (P < 0.05) for the progeny of crossbred boars. Meat from pigs of purebred boars breed had a higher proportion of intramuscular fat than that from crossbred boars breed (26.5 v 21.1 g/kg, respectively, P < 0.05). There were inconsistent effects of individual boar breed type on performance, carcass quality and meat qua lity. Producers should consider the variation between the progeny of individual boars to achieve improved production performance. There was also a lack of relationship between backfat at the P2 position and eye muscle area or depth (r −0.03 and −0.01, respectively) which suggests that carcass characteristics other than P2 backfat need to be included in the selection of breeding animals. Similarly, the weak correlations between carcass and meat quality traits (r < 0.3) indicate that if meat quality is to be improved, it must be specifically included in the selection criteria.The authors gratefully acknowledge joint funding for this research from the Pig Production Development Committee in conjunction with the Ulster Farmers’ Union Pigs Committee and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for Northern Ireland