45 research outputs found
Pen Space Allocations and Pelleting of Swine Diets
An experiment was conducted to determine whether an interaction exists between pen space allocation (14 versus 19 pigs per pen in 8 x 14 ft pens) and physical form of the diet (meal versus pellet) in a fully slatted facility. There were no interactions between diet form and pen space allocation for daily gain, feed intake or feed conversion efficiency. Pigs fed pelleted diets had a 2.3 percent improvement in daily gain and a 7.9 percent improvement in feed efficiency. Although pigs housed 14-per-pen grew faster than those housed 19-per-pen with no difference in feed conversion efficiency, pigs in the 19-pig pens produced 30 percent more live weight gain per square foot of pen space during the 106-day trial. There were no differences in death loss or body weight variation within the pens of pigs. These results suggest the response to pelleting is similar, regardless of pen space allocations and that pen space allocations affect not only pig performance, but also weight gain per unit of pen space. This has implications for income-per-unit of facility cost
Effect of a Low Phytate, Nutrient Dense Corn on Pig Performance
An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of a low phytate, nutrient dense corn variety on pig performance, fecal phosphorus and fecal nitrogen. Experimental treatments were: 1) corn-soybean meal diets formulated with purchased yellow corn; 2) similar diets formulated with 500 FTU/kg phytase; 3) diets formulated with a nutrient dense corn variety having a reduced phytic acid, elevated lysine, and higher energy compared to yellow corn; and 4) diets formulated with the nutrient dense corn variety and phytase at 500 FTU/kg to 130 lb BW and blended with yellow corn thereafter based on estimated available phosphorus. There was no difference in daily gain or daily feed for pigs fed the normal yellow corn diets with or without phytase. However, when phytase was added to the nutrient dense corn from arrival to 130 lb and the estimated available phosphorus was balanced by blending normal yellow corn and the nutrient dense corn from 130 lb to slaughter, daily gain and daily feed intake were reduced. Phosphate in the feces was reduced for all diets compared to the yellow corn diet without phytase. However, nitrogen was increased in the feces from pigs fed diets containing the nutrient dense corn due to its higher crude protein compared to yellow corn. These results suggest that when diets are formulated on an equal lysine, energy and available phosphorus basis, pigs have similar performance for diets formulated with yellow corn, yellow corn plus phytase and a nutrient dense corn variety. However, these results do not support blending of yellow corn and the nutrient dense variety based on available phosphorus content. Further research is warranted to determine the cause for the depression in daily gain and daily feed reported for this treatment
Nursery and Growing-Finishing Space Interactions
The reductions in feed intake and daily gain as space is restricted have been clearly documented for pigs in nursery and growing-finishing facilities. The general management recommendation has been to provide sufficient space for maximum performance (daily gain) in nurseries while often restricting space in growing-finishing facilities for best economic performance. However, as female reproductive performance within a herd increases, there often is more crowding of weaned pigs in the nursery. The effect of this crowding on subsequent performance has not been determined. This experiment was designed to investigate the possible interaction of nursery space allocation and growing-finishing space allocation on performance from weaning to slaughter
Impact of Drinker Type on Pig Performance, Water Use and Manure Production
A summer experiment was conducted to examine the impact of drinker design on pig performance, water use and manure volume. Pigs with access to Drik-O-Mat® bowl drinkers had similar daily gains, lower feed intake and improved feed conversion compared to pigs with access to a WaterSwing® nipple drinker. Water use was reduced 24.8 percent for the bowl versus swing drinkers. Manure volume was reduced 21.6 percent for the bowl versus swing drinker. The difference in manure volume is most likely due to a reduction in water wastage. Selection of drinker devices must include consideration of the manure system design and the need for wasted water for the manure system to function correctly
G88-892 Mixing Quality Pig Feed (Revised July 1992)
Pig feed quality problems and mixing recommendations are covered here. Feed ingredients represent over 60 percent of the total cost of farrow-finish pork production and 65-70 percent of the variable expenses. Attention to quality preparation, in addition to purchasing decisions, is a component of feed ingredient cost management. Errors in formulation, misuse of feed mixing equipment, use of poor quality feed ingredients or lack of a quality assurance program can have costly consequences
Impact of Feeder and Drinker Designs on Pig Performance, Water Use and Manure Production
Two experiments were conducted to examine the impact of feeder and drinker designs on pig performance, water use and manure volume. In the first experiment, pigs with access to a Crystal Springs® wet/dry feeder grew faster, but had a poorer feed conversion and similar carcass merit as pigs using dry feeders with wall-mounted nipple drinkers. Water use was reduced 25.6% in the combined winter and summer trials and manure volume reduced 28.9% in the summer trial for the wet/dry feeder system versus the dry feeder and wall-mounted nipple drinker system. In the second experiment, there was no difference in pig performance or carcass merit for pigs using Trojan WaterSwing® drinkers versus gate mounted Trojan nipple drinkers. There was an 11.1% reduction in water use and a 16.2% reduction in manure volume for pigs using the swinging waterer. The reduction in manure volume for both systems compared to a conventional dry feeder and gate-mounted nipple drinker system has implications for designing manure storage devices and estimates of time necessary for manure removal. While the volume needed to store 180 days of manure production decreases with either the wet/dry feeders or swinging nipple drinker, the estimated acres of cropland to utilize the stored manure as a fertilizer resource does not change. It appears the difference in volume is due to a reduction in water wastage only. The total pounds of nutrients (N, P, K, etc) in the stored manure do not change, only their concentration per 1,000 gallons
Impact of Feeder and Drinker Designs on Pig Performance, Water Use and Manure Production
Two experiments were conducted to examine the impact of feeder and drinker designs on pig performance, water use and manure volume. In the first experiment, pigs with access to a Crystal Springs® wet/dry feeder grew faster, but had a poorer feed conversion and similar carcass merit as pigs using dry feeders with wall-mounted nipple drinkers. Water use was reduced 25.6% in the combined winter and summer trials and manure volume reduced 28.9% in the summer trial for the wet/dry feeder system versus the dry feeder and wall-mounted nipple drinker system. In the second experiment, there was no difference in pig performance or carcass merit for pigs using Trojan WaterSwing® drinkers versus gate mounted Trojan nipple drinkers. There was an 11.1% reduction in water use and a 16.2% reduction in manure volume for pigs using the swinging waterer. The reduction in manure volume for both systems compared to a conventional dry feeder and gate-mounted nipple drinker system has implications for designing manure storage devices and estimates of time necessary for manure removal. While the volume needed to store 180 days of manure production decreases with either the wet/dry feeders or swinging nipple drinker, the estimated acres of cropland to utilize the stored manure as a fertilizer resource does not change. It appears the difference in volume is due to a reduction in water wastage only. The total pounds of nutrients (N, P, K, etc) in the stored manure do not change, only their concentration per 1,000 gallons
Nursery and Growing-Finishing Space Interactions
The reductions in feed intake and daily gain as space is restricted have been clearly documented for pigs in nursery and growing-finishing facilities. The general management recommendation has been to provide sufficient space for maximum performance (daily gain) in nurseries while often restricting space in growing-finishing facilities for best economic performance. However, as female reproductive performance within a herd increases, there often is more crowding of weaned pigs in the nursery. The effect of this crowding on subsequent performance has not been determined. This experiment was designed to investigate the possible interaction of nursery space allocation and growing-finishing space allocation on performance from weaning to slaughter
1995 Nebraska Swine Enterprise Records Program Results
Data from cooperators participating in the Nebraska Swine Enterprise Records and Analysis Program were summarized for the period January to June 1995 and July 1, 1994 to June 30, 1995. Results continue to show significant variability in production and financial parameters among individual swine enterprises. The results indicate that efficient, well managed swine enterprises can be profitable and competitive in a dynamic industry
Thermal Conditions Within Pens Fitted With Differing Zone-Heating Options and Resulting Performance of Newly Weaned Pigs in a Wean-to-Finish Facility
Research was conducted to assess the effects of the type of zone heater and floor mat used in a wean-to-finish building on the thermal environment created for newly weaned pigs and resulting pig performance. Gas-fired brooder heaters were compared to electric heat lamps and farm-cut wood sheathing was compared to commercial [unheated] rubber floor mats. No consistent differences in air temperature near the heating zone were found between either of the treatments. However, black-globe temperatures in pens having gas-fired heaters and/or wood mats were consistently warmer than in their comparison pens. Temperature deviations during the 26-day study period were similar statistically for both air and black-globe temperatures (about ±2.5°F) for all treatments, as were the temperature deviations from pen to pen for all treatment combinations (±1.7°F or less). Pig health was affected by an outbreak of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRSV). Performance of the disease-challenged pigs was similar for the two heating systems. However, pigs in pens having wood sheathing on the floor below the zone heater consumed more feed on a daily basis than those resting on rubber mats. This evidence supports statistically significant (P\u3c0.05) advantages for the wood mats in pig weight (+3%) and average daily gain (+6%) over the 26-day study period. Feed-to-gain ratios over this same time period were similar for all treatments. The fact that there was greater radiant heating (as indicated by warmer black-globe temperatures) with gas-fired heaters in this study suggests that extra adjustments in heater height and gas pressure may have been needed to obtain equivalent heating effects, and that additional information on placement and adjustment of zone heaters also would be useful to producers. The data collected in this study and associated experience of farm management imply that producers can develop an similarly stable thermal environment for nursery pigs using either electric heat lamps or gas-fired brooder heaters. The improved heating effect and pig performance observed in this study with floor mats made from wood sheathing have positive practical implications. Sheets of wood sheathing are readily available from many local lumber suppliers and hardware stores and can be purchased at a fraction of the price of commercial rubber mats. A small amount of labor is required to quarter the sheets, and we don’t recommend re-using the wood mats. But, the results of this study suggest that wood sheathing should be investigated further as a floor-mat option