Giovanna Martelli

Protein and energy retention in pigs fed diets containing sepiolite

Abstract Forty-two castrated male hybrid (Hypor) pigs body weight (12xa0kg BW) were used to investigate the effects of the dietary inclusion of sepiolite at the level of 20xa0gxa0kg −1 of sepiolite on protein and energy balance of growing pigs. Six pigs were slaughtered at the start of the test to determine the initial dry matter, protein, lipid, ash, and energy content of the empty body. The remaining 36 pigs were split into two groups: a control group was fed a basal diet and a sepiolite group was fed the basal diet with 20xa0gxa0kg −1 added sepiolite (Exal ® ). Six pigs from each treatment were killed at 35 and at 100xa0kg body weight (BW) to determine dry matter, protein, lipids, ash and energy content of the carcasses. The inclusion of sepiolite did not influence, either average daily gain or feed conversion ratio. During the 12 to 35xa0kg BW phase, pigs on the sepiolite diet had improved ( P −1 sepiolite during the overall trial improved protein and energy retention by 6.1% and energy retention by 5.3% compared with the control group.

Consequences of the use of ensiled sugar beet-pulp in the diet of heavy pigs on performances, carcass characteristics and nitrogen balance: a review

Data collected from several studies including unpublished data, carried out since 1988 at the University of Bologna, on the incorporation of pressed beet pulp silage (PBPS) in the diet of heavy pigs (160 kg live weight (LW)) have been analysed collectively. Large amounts of PBPS (0.5 of dry matter (DM) intake) in the diet were well tolerated by pigs (ranging in LW from 34 to 144 kg) and were associated with a marked reduction of gastric lesions. When used in practical diets from 44 to 153 kg LW at 170 g kg -1 DM basis, PBPS did not modify either growing parameters or slaughtering performances of heavy pigs in comparison with animals receiving a concentrated diet mainly based on cereals and soyabean meal. The use of PBPS did not modify the weight losses of hams (Parma ham) during their seasoning process, lasting more than 12 months for this typical product. Similarly, the fatty acid composition of cured ham fat was not influenced by the dietary inclusion of beet pulp. When replacing barley (150 g kg -1 DM basis), both plain or molassed PBPS did not modify slaughtering parameters of heavy pigs and fatty acid composition of hams. Plain PBPS resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) increase of ADG in comparison with molassed PBPS and control diets. Vinasse-added PBPS replacing barley (100 g kg -1 DM basis) did not result in any modification of growing and slaughtering parameters of heavy pigs ranging in LW from 55 to 160 kg. At the inclusion level of 200 g kg -1 , vinasse-added PBPS resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) reduction of feed intake and in a slight worsening of growth rate. Increasing levels (up to 240 g kg -1 DM basis) of PBPS resulted in a significant (P < 0.01) reduction in organic matter digestibility while significantly (P < 0.01) reduced nitrogen excretion in urine. The significant (P < 0.05) trophic effect on large intestine mucosa and the high quality of PBPS fibrous fractions may explain the positive role of this by-product in pig feeding and justify the possibility of a partial replacement of cereals such as barley in feed formulation.

The effects of Sepiolite-SPLF on piglet and heavy pig production

Abstract In order to evaluate the effects of Sepiolite for Pig Liquid Feeding (Sepiolite-SPLF) on piglet and heavy pig production, two separate trials have been performed. In the first trial a total of 319 piglets from 32 litters was used. From the 6th day of life piglets belonging to 16 litters received a complementary feed containing Sepiolite-SPLF at 1% (Group B); the remaining piglets were fed a complementary feed without sepiolite addition (group A). At weaning (26 days of life), according to the dietary treatment of the suckling period, 80 piglets were homogeneously allocated to two groups fed up to 30 kg body weight a diet containing or not containing Sepiolite-SPLF at 1% (group B and Group A, respectively). In the second trial 330 barrows of the initial body weight of 60 kg were used. Animals were homogeneously allocated to two groups: a control group traditionally fed a soybean-maize based diet and a sepiolite group in which Sepiolite-SPLF was added at 1% (Group B). Pigs were slaughtered at about 170 kg body weight. In both trials daily weight gain, feed intake and pigs’ health were recorded. Weaned piglets on the sepiolite diet showed a highly significant (P<0.01) reduction of diarrhea score (1.55 vs. 2.03 points). At slaughtering the dietary inclusion of sepiolite resulted in a higher uniformity-degree of pigs as it was demonstrated by a higher (P<0.05) frequency of carcasses in the central class comprised between 133 and 145 kg (52% vs. 35%).

The Effects of the Duration of the Artificial Photoperiod on the Growth Parameters and Behaviour of Heavy Pigs

Martelli, G., Scalabrin, M., Scipioni, R. and Sardi, L., 2005. The effects of the duration of the artificial photoperiod on the growth parameters and behaviour of heavy pigs. Veterinary Research Communications, 29(Suppl. 2), 367‐369

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 replacement of fishmeal by plant proteins in piglet production

Riassunto La sostituzione della farina di pesce con fonti proteiche vegetali nella produzione del suinetto. 144 suinetti svezzati (età allo svezzamento giorni 28; peso vivo medio kg 7,58), sono stati omogeneamente assegnati a 4 gruppi sperimentali le cui diete prevedevano la sostituzione totale della farina di pesce con fonti proteiche vegetali rappresentate, rispettivamente, da farina di estrazione di girasole parzialmente decorticato, glutine di mais e concentrato proteico di patata. Le diete sono state bilanciate in termini di apporti in aminoacidi ed Energia Netta. Ad eccezione del gruppo alimentato con concentrato proteico di patata, che ha dimostrato un ritmo di accrescimento significativamente migliore, non si sono evidenziate differenze tra le tesi. Lo stato di salute è stato sempre soddisfacente, con una bassa mortalità (4%, circa) e un modesto “punteggio diarrea” (valore massimo punti 1,59). La presente esperienza indica come, nell’alimentazione del suinetto nel post-svezzamento, sia possibile sostituire la farina di pesce con fonti proteiche vegetali, purché vengano correttamente bilanciati gli apporti aminoacidi ed energetici delle diete.

The effects of pressed sugar beet pulp silage (PBPS) and dairy whey on heavy pig production

Abstract The effects of pressed beet pulp silage (PBPS) replacing barley for 10% and 20% (DM basis) were studied on heavy pigs fed dairy whey-diluted diets. 60 Hypor pigs (average initial weight of 28 kg), 30 barrows and 30 gilts, were homogeneously allocated to three experimental groups: T1 (control) in which pigs were fed a traditional sweet whey-diluted diet (the ratio between whey and dry matter was 4.5/1); T2 in which PBPS replaced barley for 10% (DM basis) during a first period (from the beginning to the 133rd day of trial) and thereafter for 20% (DM basis); T3 in which PBPS replaced barley for 20% (DM basis) throughout the experimental period. In diets T2 and T3 feed was dairy whey-diluted as in group T1. No significant (P>0.05) differences were observed concerning growth parameters (ADG and FCR). Pigs on diets containing PBPS showed significantly higher (<0.05) percentages of lean cuts and lower percentages of fat cuts. On the whole, ham weight losses during seasoning were moderate but significantly (P<0.05) more marked for PBPS-fed pigs as a probable consequence of their lower adiposity degree. Fatty acid composition of ham fat was unaffected by diets. With regard to m. Semimembranosus colour, pigs receiving PBPS showed lower (P<0.05) “L”, “a” and “Chroma” values. From an economical point of view it can be concluded that the use of PBPS (partially replacing barley) and dairy whey in heavy pig production could be of particular interest in areas where both these by products are readily available.

The behaviour of the lactating sow as affected by two different feeding techniques.

Scipioni, R., Martelli, G., Paganelli, R. and Sardi, L., 2005. The behaviour of the lactating sow as affected by two different feeding techniques. Veterinary Research Communications, 29(Suppl. 2), 383‐385

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).