K. M. Gourley

Effects of amino acids and energy intake during late gestation of high-performing gilts and sows on litter and reproductive performance under commercial conditions

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of AA and energy intake during late gestation on piglet birth weight and reproductive performance of high-performing (14.5 total born) gilts and sows housed under commercial conditions. At d 90 of gestation, a total of 1,102 females (PIC 1050) were housed in pens by parity group (gilts or sows) with approximately 63 gilts and 80 sows in each pen, blocked by BW within each pen, and each female was randomly assigned to dietary treatments within BW block. Dietary treatments consisted of combinations of 2 standardized ileal digestible (SID) AA intakes (10.7 or 20.0 g/d SID Lys and other AA met or exceeded the NRC [2012] recommendations) and 2 energy intakes (4.50 or 6.75 Mcal/d intake of NE) in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models specified to recognize pen as the experimental unit for parity and the individual female as the experimental unit for dietary treatments. Results indicate an overall positive effect of high energy intake on BW gain during late gestation, although this effect was more manifest under conditions of high, as opposed to low, AA intake (interaction, < 0.001). Furthermore, the magnitude of BW gain response to increased energy intake was greater ( < 0.001) for sows compared with gilts. Sows fed high energy intake had a reduced probability of piglets born alive ( < 0.004) compared with those fed low energy, but no evidence for differences was found in gilts. This can be explained by an increased probability ( = 0.002) of stillborns in sows fed high energy intake vs. sows fed low energy intake. There were no evidences for differences among dietary treatments in litter birth weight and individual piglet birth weight of total piglets born. However, individual born alive birth weight was approximately 30 ± 8.2 g heavier ( = 0.011) for females fed high, as opposed to low, energy intake. Furthermore, piglets born alive were approximately 97 ± 9.5 g heavier ( < 0.001) for sows than for gilts. Preweaning mortality was decreased ( = 0.034) for females fed high AA intake compared with females fed low AA intake regardless of energy level. In conclusion, 1) BW gain of gilts and sows depended not only on energy but also on AA intake, 2) sows fed increased amount of energy had an increased stillborn rate, and 3) increased energy intake during late gestation had a positive effect on individual piglet birth weight with no evidence for such an effect for AA intake.

Determining the impact of increasing standardized ileal digestible lysine for primiparous and multiparous sows during lactation

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of increasing dietary SID Lys in lactation on sow and litter performance. In Exp. 1, a total of 111 primiparous sows (Line 241; DNA Genetics, Columbus, NE) were allotted to 1 of 4 dietary treatments on d 110 of gestation. Dietary treatments included increasing dietary standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys (0.80, 0.95, 1.10, and 1.25%). During lactation, there were no differences in ADFI or sow BW at weaning (d 21), resulting in no differences in BW loss. However, backfat loss during lactation decreased (linear, P = 0.046) as SID Lys increased. There were no differences in litter weaning weight, litter gain from d 2 to weaning, percentage of females bred by d 7 after weaning, d 30 conception rate, farrowing rate or subsequent litter characteristics. In Exp. 2, a total of 710 mixed parity sows (Line 241; DNA Genetics) were allotted to 1 of 4 dietary treatments at d 112 of gestation. Dietary treatments included increasing SID Lys (0.75, 0.90, 1.05, and 1.20%). Sow BW at weaning increased (quadratic, P = 0.046), and sow BW loss from post-farrow to weaning or d 112 to weaning decreased (quadratic, P ≤ 0.01) as SID Lys increased. Sow backfat loss increased (linear, P = 0.028) as SID Lys increased. Conversely, longissimus muscle depth loss decreased (linear, P = 0.002) as SID Lys increased. Percentage of females bred by d 7 after weaning increased (linear, P = 0.047) as SID Lys increased in parity 1 sows, with no difference in parity 2 or 3+ sows. Litter weight at d 17 and litter gain from d 2 to 17 increased (quadratic, P = 0.01) up to 1.05% SID Lys with no improvement thereafter. For subsequent litter characteristics, there were no differences in total born, percentage born alive, stillborn, or mummies. In conclusion, our results suggest that increasing dietary SID Lys can reduce sow protein loss in lactation. The optimal level of dietary SID Lys required by the sow may vary based on response criteria and parity.

Determining the available phosphorus release of Natuphos E 5,000 G phytase for nursery pigs

A total of 288 pigs (PIC 327 × 1050; initially 11.1 ± 0.1 kg, and day 40 of age) were used in a 21-d growth trial to determine the available P (aP) release curve for a novel source of 6-phytase (Natuphos E 5,000 G; BASF Corporation, Florham Park, NJ). Natuphos E is a bacterial derived 6-phytase of which the phytase gene is assembled from a hybrid of phytase-producing bacteria and produced through the fermentation of Aspergillus niger. Pigs were randomly allotted to pens at weaning. From day 15 to 18 postweaning, a common corn-soybean meal diet containing 0.12% aP was fed to all pigs to acclimate them to a P-deficient diet. On day 0 of the experiment (day 19 after weaning), pens were allotted in a randomized complete block design to one of eight treatments. There were four pigs per pen and nine pens per dietary treatment. Pigs were fed a corn-soybean meal-based diet formulated to 1.25% standardized ileal digestible Lys. Experimental diets were formulated to contain 0.73% Ca and increasing aP supplied by either monocalcium P (0.12%, 0.18%, and 0.24% aP) or from increasing phytase (150, 250, 500, 750, and 1,000 phytase unit [FTU]/kg) added to the 0.12% aP diet. Analyzed phytase concentrations were 263, 397, 618, 1,100, and 1,350 FTU/kg, respectively. On day 21 of the study, one pig per pen was euthanized and the right fibula was collected for bone ash and percentage bone ash calculations. From day 0 to 21, increasing P from monocalcium P or phytase improved (linear, P < 0.01) ADG and G:F. Bone ash weight and percentage bone ash increased (linear, P < 0.01) with increasing monocalcium P or phytase. When formulated phytase values and percentage bone ash are used as the response variables, aP release for up to 1,000 FTU/kg of Natuphos E 5,000 G phytase can be predicted by the equation: aP release = 0.000212 × FTU/kg phytase.

Effects of Increasing Dietary Lysine on Performance of Lactating Sows in Commercial Conditions

A total of 710 mixed parity sows (Line 241; DNA, Columbus, NE) were used in a 21-d study to determine the effect of standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine (Lys) intake during lactation on sow and litter performance and subsequent reproductive performance of primiparous and multiparous sows housed in a commercial production system. On d 112 of gestation, females were weighed and blocked by BW within expected farrowing date and parity (1 to 7) and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments within blocks. Dietary treatments were corn-soybean meal-based and consisted of increasing SID Lys (0.75, 0.90, 1.05, and 1.20%). Treatments were formulated by increasing both crystalline Lys and soybean meal to maintain a similar soybean meal to crystalline Lys ratio. Other feed-grade amino acids (AA) were added as needed to maintain a similar ratio to Lys across treatments. All other nutrients met or exceeded the NRC4 requirement estimates. Dietary metabolizable energy was the same across all dietary treatments. Sow BW at weaning increased (quadratic, P = 0.046), and sow BW loss from post-farrow to weaning or d 112 to weaning decreased (quadratic, P ≤ 0.01) as SID Lys increased. Sow backfat loss increased (linear, P = 0.028) as SID Lys increased. Conversely, longissimus muscle depth loss decreased (linear, P = 0.002) as SID Lys increased. Percentage of females bred by d 7 after weaning increased (linear, P = 0.047) as SID Lys increased in parity 1 sows, with no difference in parity 2 or 3+ sows. Litter weight at d 17 and litter gain from d 2 to 17 increased (quadratic, P = 0.01) as SID Lys was increased up to 1.05%, with no improvement thereafter. For subsequent litter characteristics, there were no differences in total born, percentage born alive, stillborn, or mummies. In conclusion, our results suggest that increasing dietary SID Lys can reduce sow protein loss in lactation. The optimal level of dietary SID Lys required by the sow may vary based on response criteria and parity.

Validation of Individual Computerized Sow Feeding Systems in Lactation

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Evaluating the Effect of Superdosing Natuphos E 5,000 G Phytase on Nursery Pig Performance

A total of 360 nursery pigs (DNA 200 × 400, initially 12.92 lb) were used in a 42-d growth trial to determine the effect of superdosing a novel phytase source (Natuphos E 5000 G, BASF Corporation, Florham Park, NJ). Pigs were randomly allotted to pens at weaning in a randomized complete block design to 1 of 8 dietary treatments. There were 5 pigs per pen and 9 pens per treatment. Diets were fed in 3 phases from d 0 to 7, 7 to 21, and 21 to 42. Dietary treatments were a negative control (NC) with 0.40, 0.30, or 0.25% aP from inorganic P for Phases 1, 2, and 3, respectively; and the NC with increasing phytase levels of 500, 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, or 4,000 phytase units (FTU)/kg. There was also a positive control (PC) with 0.55, 0.45, or 0.40% aP from inorganic P for Phases 1, 2, and 3, respectively, or the PC with 2,000 FTU/kg. On d 42, one pig per pen was euthanized and the right fibula was removed for bone ash analysis. From d 0 to 42, pigs fed increasing phytase in the negative control diet tended to have increased (quadratic, P = 0.064) ADG resulting in heavier (linear, P = 0.082) ending BW and improved (quadratic, P < 0.01) F/G. Adding 2,000 FTU/kg phytase to the positive control diet did not influence ADG or ADFI, but tended to improve (linear, P = 0.068) F/G. The NC diet with 500 FTU/kg and PC diets were formulated to be equivalent in available Ca and P. When comparing the two diets, pigs fed the positive control diet had increased (linear, P = 0.007) ADFI; however, pigs fed the NC with 500 FTU/kg phytase diets had improved (linear, P = 0.034) F/G. Bone ash weights were increased (quadratic, P < 0.001) for pigs fed increasing phytase in the NC diets. Additionally, percentage bone ash values increased as phytase increased in the NC (linear, P < 0.001) and PC (P < 0.001) diets. There was a tendency for the PC diet to have greater (P = 0.099) percentage bone ash when compared to the NC diet with 500 FTU/kg of phytase. In summary, this study shows that increasing dietary phytase increased percentage bone ash values, and a tendency for improved F/G as phytase was added to the positive control diet with P and Ca formulated at NRC (2012) recommendations. However, there was no further improvement in growth performance when phytase was included above 1,000 FTU/kg.

Determining the Phosphorus Release for Natuphos E 5,000 G Phytase for Nursery Pigs

A total of 286 nursery pigs (PIC 327 × 1050; initially 24.3 lb and d 42 of age) were used in a 21-d growth trial to determine the available P (aP) release curve for a novel phytase source (Natuphos E 5,000 G, BASF Corporation, Florham Park, NJ). Pigs were randomly allotted to pens at weaning. On d 0 of the experiment (d 18 after weaning), pens were allotted in a randomized complete block design to 1 of 8 treatments. There were 4 pigs per pen and 9 pens per treatment. Pigs were fed a corn-soybean meal-based diet formulated to 1.25% standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine. Ten 1-ton batches of basal feed (0.12% aP) were manufactured and subsequently divided to be the major portion of experimental diet manufacturing. Experimental diets were formulated to contain increasing aP supplied by either an inorganic source (0.12, 0.18, and 0.24% aP from monocalcium P) or from increased phytase (150, 250, 500, 750, and 1,000 FTU/ kg). Diets were analyzed for phytase using the AOAC method and actual analyzed concentrations were 263, 397, 618, 1,100, and 1,350 FTU/kg, respectively. On d 21 of the study, one pig per pen was euthanized and the right fibula was collected for bone ash and percentage bone ash calculations. From d 0 to 21, increasing P from inorganic P or increasing phytase resulted in improved (linear, P < 0.01) ADG, F/G and ending BW. Bone ash weight and percentage bone ash increased (linear, P < 0.01) with increasing inorganic P or phytase. When formulated phytase values and percentage bone ash are used as the response variables, aP release for up to 1,000 FTU/kg of Natuphos E 5,000 G phytase can be predicted by the equation: aP release = 0.000212 × FTU/kg phytase.

Effects of Lysine on Performance of Lactating Primiparous Sows

A total of 111 primiparous sows (Line 241; DNA, Columbus, NE) were used in a 21-d study to determine the effect of lysine (Lys) intake during lactation on sow and litter performance and subsequent reproductive performance of primiparous sows. At d 110 of gestation, sows were weighed and randomly assigned to treatment based on weight block. Dietary treatments consisted of increasing levels of standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys (0.80, 0.95, 1.10, and 1.25% with other AA meeting or exceeding NRC [2012] recommendations as a ratio to Lys). All other nutrients met or exceeded the NRC (2012) estimates. During the lactation period, there were no differences in ADFI or sow BW at d 0 or weaning, resulting in no differences in BW loss. However, backfat loss during lactation decreased (linear, P = 0.046) as SID Lys increased. Regardless of treatment, there were no differences in litter weaning weight or litter gain from d 2 to weaning. In addition, no differences were observed for wean-to-estrus interval or the percentage of females bred by d 7 after weaning. However, d 30 conception rate increased (quadratic, P = 0.042) as Lys increased up to 0.95% SID Lys, but then decreased as SID Lys reached 1.25%. On the subsequent cycle, there was a tendency for decreased (quadratic, P = 0.054) percentage born alive as Lys increased to 0.95% SID; however, percentage born alive increased thereafter. Reciprocally, percentage of mummies tended to increase (quadratic, P = 0.090) with the greatest percentage mummies at 0.95% SID Lys. Overall, this study would suggest that in primiparous sows, there was no effect of increasing SID Lys above 0.80% on sow or litter performance. This study suggests that sow BF loss through lactation was decreased as SID Lys increased; however, little change on reproductive performance was observed. Additional research should be conducted with a larger group of sows housed under commercial conditions to confirm our findings.

Comparing the Effects of Butyric Acid Source and Level on Growth Performance of Nursery Pigs

A total of 398 pigs (PIC 19 × 1050 or PIC 3 × C29, initially 13.56 ± 0.02 lb) were used in a 42-d growth study to compare the effects of increasing two different sources of encapsulated butyric acid on growth performance of nursery pigs fed meal diets. Dietary treatments were arranged as a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial with main effects of butyric acid source (ButiPEARL vs. ButiPEARLZ; Kemin Industries, Des Moines, IA) and level (low (1 or 1.38 lb/ton) vs. high (2 or 2.76 lb/ton) respectively) plus a control diet without any butyric acid. The inclusion rates of each product were established such that the same amount of butyric acid was contributed from each source for the low or high levels, respectively. Experimental diets were fed in three phases from d 0 to 7, 7 to 21, and 21 to 42. Pens of pigs (6 barrows and 4 gilts) were balanced by initial BW and randomly allotted to treatments, with 8 replications (pens) per treatment. From d 0 to 7, a source × level interaction (P < 0.05) was observed for ADG, ADFI, and F/G, with pigs fed diets containing ButiPEARL having improved performance at the low inclusion, but with those fed high butyric acid not different from the control. However, pigs fed ButiPEARLZ had poorer growth performance at the low level, with the high level having performance similar to the control. In Phase 2 (d 7 to 21), ADG and ADFI were not influenced by butyric acid source or level, but an interaction (P = 0.001) was observed for F/G as pigs fed ButiPEARL had poorer F/G as level increased; whereas pigs fed increasing ButiPEARLZ had improved F/G. For Phase 3 (d 21 to 42), increasing either butyric acid source tended (P = 0.060) to decrease ADG. Overall (d 0 to 42), butyric acid source or level did not affect ADG, ADFI or F/G. In conclusion, this study showed that pigs fed low ButiPEARL in Phase 1 (d 0 to 7) had improved growth performance compared to other treatments with only minor treatment effects observed thereafter. More research is warranted to determine if the butyric acid sources used in this experiment would elicit different responses in pelleted nursery diets.

Effects of Amino Acid and Energy Intake During Late Gestation on Piglet Birth Weight and Reproductive Performance of Gilts and Sows Housed Under Commercial Conditions

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of amino acid (AA) and energy intake during late gestation on piglet birth weight and reproductive performance of high-performing gilts and sows housed under commercial conditions. At d 90 of gestation, a total of 1,102 females (PIC 1050) were housed in pens by parity group (P1 or P2+), blocked by weight within each pen, and each female was randomly assigned to dietary treatments within weight block. Dietary treatments consisted of combinations of 2 standardized ileal digestible (SID) AA (10.7 or 20.0 g SID Lys intake/d with other AA meeting or exceeding the NRC [2012] recommendations as a ratio to Lys) and 2 energy intakes (4.50 or 6.75 Mcal/d intake of NE) in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models with parity group and dietary treatments as the linear predictor and random effects of pen as the experimental unit for parity and the individual female as the experimental unit for dietary treatments. With high energy intake, the magnitude of BW gain during late gestation was greater (AA × Energy, P < 0.001) with increasing AA intake compared with increasing AA at low energy intake. Gilts gained more weight at low energy intake than sows (parity × energy, P < 0.001); however, there was no evidence for differences (P = 0.601) in weight gain between gilts and sows at high energy intake. Sows fed high-energy intake had marginally reduced probability of piglets born alive (parity × energy, P = 0.092) compared with sows fed low energy, but no evidence for differences in gilts was observed. This was due to the increased probability (parity × energy, P = 0.014) of stillborns to be higher in sows fed high energy intake. There was no evidence for differences between the dietary treatments for litter birth weight and individual piglet birth weight of total piglets born. However, individual born-live birth weight was heavier (P =0.011) for females fed high-energy intake treatments compared to those with low energy intake. Born-alive piglets from sows were heavier (P < 0.001) than those from gilts. There was a lower probability (P = 0.034) of pre-weaning mortality for females fed high AA intake compared to low AA intake, regardless of energy level. There was no evidence for differences between the dietary treatments on farrowing rate, number of total piglets born, and percent of piglets born alive in the subsequent cycle. In conclusion, 1) body weight gain of gilts and sows depends not only on energy but also AA intake, 2) sows fed an increased amount of energy had increased stillborn rates, 3) the positive effect of increased amount of feed during late gestation on individual piglet birth weight, 30 g per pig, was due to energy rather than AA intake.