Archimede Mordenti

Protein retention in Italian heavy pigs: Development of a factorial approach for the determination of lysine requirement

Abstract Protein and lysine retentions were investigated in typical Italian heavy pigs in order to provide a more accurate assessment of amino acid requirements for this type of pig. Results of dissection and chemical composition of 144 pigs, ranging from 80 to 160 kg live weight, from two different genotypes (Duroc X (Large White X Landrace) and Landrace X (Large White X Landrace)) were used. In order to evaluate the practical performance of heavy pigs, data obtained in literature from 523 animals were analysed. A mathematical model (allometric relationship) for calculating daily nitrogen retention in pigs was developed, by using body weight, muscle percentage, and average daily gain as independent variables ( R 2 = 0.95). The requirement for true digestible lysine was assessed by the factorial approach, for different classes of body weight and muscle percentage. The model allows also to calculate total N excretion in heavy pigs, from criteria easily accessible at farm level.

Effects of different protein plants in cows diet on milk for Parmigiano Reggiano production

Abstract Two homogeneous groups of dairy cows were fed the same base diet added with a concentrate containing 10 % of soybean meal or 10.1 % of faba bean and 10.1 % of pea. The substitution of soybean meal with faba bean + pea reduced dry matter intake (−0.83 kg/head/day equivalent to 3.5%) and milk yield (−1.29 kg/head/day equivalent to 3.9%), but increased fat and casein concentrations in milk and, as a consequence, cheese yield at 32 hours (P>0.01). The present data show that is possible feed a GMO free diet to dairy cows, without using soybean meal.

The effects of clinoptilolite on piglet and heavy pig production

Abstract To evaluate the effects of clinoptilolite on piglet and heavy pig production two separated trials have been performed. In the first trial 40 pigs of the initial body weight of 55 kg were used. Animals were homogeneously allocated to two groups: a control group traditionally fed and a clinoptilolite group in which feed contained the additive at 2%. Pigs were slaughtered at about 160 kg body weight. Blood samples were taken to determine blood urea nitrogen (BUN). In the second trial a total of 116 piglets from 12 litters was used. Six litters were fed from the 7th day of life a diet containing clinoptilolite at 2%. According to the dietary treatment of the suckling period, 84 weaned piglets were homogeneously allocated to two groups fed up to 33 kg body weight a diet containing or not clinoptilolite at 2%. In both trials daily weight gain, feed intake and pigs’ health were regularly recorded. The dietary inclusion of clinoptilolite at 2% did not resulted in any modification either of growing performances or of uraemia. Piglets on clinoptilolite diet showed a significant (P<0.05) improvement of faecal dry matter content. At slaughtering the dietary inclusion of clinoptilolite resulted in a trend towards an improvement of lean cuts yield and in a significant increase (P<0.05) of the ratio between lean and fat cuts. From our data it is suggested that clinoptilolite does not impair pig growing performances, determines a higher dry matter content of piglet faeces and improves carcass quality of heavy pigs with particular regard to lean cuts yield and lean to fat cuts ratio.

The role of selenium and iodine in controlling some egg minerals

Riassunto Il ruolo del selenio e dello iodio nel controllo di alcuni minerali nell’uovo. Una prova è stata condotta su sette gruppi di galline ovaiole, alimentate con un mangime di controllo (C) o contenente: olio di lino (L), olio di pesce (F), olio ricco di DHA derivante dalla micro-alga Schizochytrium sp in presenza o meno (A) di 5 ppm di ioduro di potassio (AI) o di selenito di sodio (ASe) oppure di entrambi i sali (AISe). I contenuti di selenio e di zinco e di altri minerali sono stati valutati nei tuorli delle uova. A fine prova la concentrazione di selenio era aumentata in modo significativo (P<0,001), mentre quella dello zinco si era ridotta (P<0,05) nei tuorli dei gruppi ASe e AISe. I valori di Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Cd e Pb, non differirono tra i tuorli dei vari gruppi, a parte il cadmio, la cui concentrazione si era ridotta nel gruppo AISe, attestando una influenza di iodio e selenio sulla deposizione di questo metallo.

Different Protein Sources in Piglet Feeding

Weaning is a critical phase characterized by social stress (establishment of a new hierarchy), environmental stress (removal of and from the sow) and nutritional stress for the piglet. From a nutritional standpoint, weaning corresponds to a change from a liquid to a dry form of feed; in addition to this, post-weaning formulations commonly contain vegetable ingredients. To limit the problems arising from nutritional changes, piglets must be fed highly digestible diets containing high biological value proteins. The aim of the present trials was to investigate the effects on piglet growth and health of different diets containing some animal proteins that are not commonly used in post-weaning pig formulations (i.e. whole egg meal and dried plasma).