R.O. Gottlob

Effects of dried distillers grain with solubles on growing-finishing pig performance

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effects of increasing dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS) on growth performance and palatability in growing-finishing pigs. In Exp. 1, a total of 1,050 pigs (initially 104.9 lb) were used in a 28-d study in May 2002. Pigs were fed diets with either 0 or 15% DDGS and 0, 3, or 6% added fat, for a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement. Overall, there were no DDGS × fat content interactions (P = 0.20). There was an improvement (linear, P<0.01) in ADG and F/G with increasing added fat and no difference in growth performance between pigs fed 0 or 15% DDGS. In Exp. 2, a total of 1,038 pigs (initially 102.1 lb) were used in a 56-d study in August 2005. Pigs were fed diets with either 0, 10, 20, or 30% DDGS from the same ethanol plant as in Exp. 1. Overall (d 0 to 56), there was a trend for decreased ADG (linear, P<0.10) and ADFI (linear, P<0.06) as DDGS increased. The greatest reduction occurred in pigs fed more than 10% DDGS. In Exp. 3, a total of 120 growing pigs (initially 48.7 lb) were used in a 21-d feed preference study in October 2005. Pigs were randomly allotted to a pen with 4 feeders, each containing a separate dietary treatment. Pigs were offered diets based on corn-soybean meal, with 0, 10, 20, or 30% DDGS from the same source as in Exp. 1 and 2. For all periods (d 0 to 7, 7 to 21, and 0 to 21), there was a decrease in ADFI (quadratic, P<0.01) as DDGS increased in the diet. The most dramatic decrease was observed between 0 and 10% DDGS. Experiment 1 showed no difference in growth performance in pigs fed 0 or 15% DDGS. In Exp 2, at DDGS contents higher than 10%, there were trends for decreased ADG and ADFI; in Exp. 3, ADFI decreased with increasing DDGS in the diet. In summary, DDGS from the ethanol plant tested can be used at 10 to 15% in finishing diets without reducing pig performance. Higher percentages of DDGS in the diet decreased ADFI in growing and finishing pigs.

Comparison of Whey Protein Concentrate and Spray-Dried Plasma Protein in Diets for Weanling Pigs1

ABSTRACT Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of whey protein concentrate (WPC) and spray-dried plasma protein (SDPP) on growth performance of weanling pigs. In Exp. 1, 180 weanling pigs (initially 6.3 kg) were fed 1 of 5 experimental diets containing 0, 2.5, or 5.0% WPC or SDPP. Pigs were fed the experimental diets from d 0 to 14 after weaning, with all pigs fed a common diet from d 14 to 27 after weaning. Overall (d 0 to 27 after weaning), increasing SDPP from d 0 to 14 linearly increased ADG (P

Influence of NutriDense Low Phytate corn and added fat on growing-finishing pig growth performance.

Two studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of NutriDense Low Phytate corn in conjunction with increasing amounts of added fat on growing and finishing pig performance. NutriDense Low Phytate corn is similar to NutriDense corn, but with greater available phosphorus content because it has less phytate phosphorus. Both experiments were conducted at a commercial swine research facility in southwest Minnesota. In Exp. 1, 1,162 gilts (initially 98.3 lb) were used in a 28-d study. Pigs were blocked by weight, and were randomly allotted to one of six dietary treatments. Pigs were fed diets based on corn-soybean meal with yellow dent (YD) or NutriDense Low Phytate corn and 0, 3, or 6% added fat, in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement. A constant true ileal digestible (TID) lysine:energy ratio of 2.80 g TID lysine:Mcal ME was maintained in all diets, as well a constant available P:energy ratio of 0.90 g/Mcal. Overall (d 0 to 28), there were no corn source × fat content interactions (P>0.79). Regardless of corn source, ADG and F/G improved linearly (P<0.03, and P<0.01, respectively) as the amount of fat increased in the diet. There were no differences in growth performance between pigs fed diets containing NutriDense Low Phytate and those fed YD corn. In Exp. 2, a total of 1,128 gilts (initially 180.0 lb) were used in a 28-d growth assay. Pigs were blocked, and were randomly allotted to one of six dietary treatments. Pigs were fed similarly to those in Exp. 1, with diets based on corn-soybean meal, using either NutriDense Low Phytate or YD corn and 0, 3, or 6% added fat. A constant TID lysine:energy ratio of 2.15 g/Mcal ME was maintained in all diets, as well as a constant available P:energy ratio of 0.75 g/Mcal. Overall (d 0 to 28), there was a tendency for a corn source × fat content interaction for F/G (P<0.07), which was a result of pigs fed YD corn having improved F/G only at 6% added fat, whereas improvements were seen in pigs fed NutriDense Low Phytate at both 3 and 6% added fat. Also, there was an improvement in ADG (linear P<0.01) and F/G (linear, P<0.01) as the amount of fat increased in the diet, regardless of corn source. There was no difference in growth performance between pigs fed diets containing NutriDense Low Phytate and those fed YD corn. These studies indicate that increasing amounts of added fat improved growth performance, regardless of corn source. Pig growth performance is similar for pigs fed NutriDense Low Phytate corn and fed YD corn, although NutriDense Low Phytate corn does have the advantage of having higher amino acid concentrations and less phytate phosphorus.; Swine Day, 2006, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 2006

Effects of increasing amounts of true ileal digestible lysine on the growth performance of growing-finishing pigs reared in a commercial facility

Two 28-d experiments using 2,259 gilts were conducted to determine the growth and economic effects of increasing dietary true ileal digestible (TID) lysine in commercially reared growing-finishing pigs. Both experiments included 6 dietary treatments of incrementally increasing TID lysine in diets containing 6% added fat. The dietary TID lysine ranged from below to above our current requirement estimates to determine if there were any changes in lysine requirements during the past five years. In Exp. 1, pigs were initially 132 lb and averaged 192 lb at the end of the 28-day study. The TID lysine rates were 0.65, 0.75, 0.85, 0.95, 1.05, and 1.15%, which corresponded to lysine:calorie ratios of 1.80, 2.08, 2.35, 2.63, 2.91, and 3.19 g/Mcal, respectively. Increasing TID lysine increased ADG (linear, P<0.01) and improved F/G (quadratic, P<0.06), with optimal performance at 1.05% TID lysine (TID lysine:ME ratio of 2.91 g/Mcal). Pigs fed this diet consumed approximately 22 g of TID lysine per day, and used 21.6 g of TID lysine/kg of gain. Although not significant, margin over feed cost (MOF) was numerically greatest for pigs fed 1.05% TID. In Exp. 2, pigs were initially 177 lb and averaged 241 lb at the end of the 28-d study. The TID lysine rates were 0.52, 0.62, 0.72, 0.82, 0.92, and 1.02%, which corresponded to lysine:calorie ratios of 1.44, 1.71, 1.99, 2.27, 2.55, and 2.83 g/Mcal, respectively. In Exp. 2, the optimal TID lysine rate changed over the course of the experiment. During the first 14 d, pigs fed 0.92% TID lysine had the greatest ADG and lowest F/G, whereas pigs fed 0.72% TID lysine had the numerically highest ADG and lowest F/G from d 14 to 28. Pigs fed these diets required approximately 19.5 g of TID lysine/kg gain. Margin over feed costs increased (quadratic, P<0.03) with increasing dietary TID lysine, with the greatest return at 0.72% TID lysine. In summary, results of the first experiment suggest an increase in dietary TID lysine recommendations, compared with our earlier studies. Even though the optimal lysine rate may be changing over time for this genetic line and production facility, it seems that using the estimate of approximately 20 g TID lysine per kg of gain will provide a good estimate of the pig’s lysine requirement.

Effects of dietary calcium formate and malic acid on nursery pig growth performance

Summary A total of 180 weanling pigs (initially 14.1 lb and 18 ± 3 d of age, PIC) were used to determine the effects of dietary calcium formate or malic acid on nursery pig growth performance. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 3 factorial, with or without an antimicrobial, and with or without calcium formate or malic acid, for a total of six dietary treatments: 1) negative control (no organic acids or antimicrobials); 2) positive control (feed containing 140 g/ton neomycin sulfate, 140 g/ton oxytetracycline; neo/oxy); 3) negative control feed containing malic acid; 4) positive control feed containing malic acid; 5) negative control feed containing calcium formate; 6) positive control feed containing calcium formate. There were no interactions (P>0.10) between the antimicrobial and the organic acids. Overall, pigs fed diets containing neo/oxy had greater ADG and ADFI (P<0.04) than did pigs fed diets without an antimicrobial. There were no differences in growth performance between pigs fed the control diet and pigs fed diets containing organic acids. These data suggest that neo/oxy increases ADG and ADFI of weanling pigs. Neither malic acid nor calcium formate are suitable replacements for neo/oxy for growth performance in nursery pigs.

Effects of water-soluble and in-feed organic acids on the growth performance of weanling pigs.

A total of 360 weanling pigs (initially 11.5 lb and 18 ± 3 d of age, PIC) were used in a 42d growth assay to determine the effects of water-soluble antimicrobials and organic acids in feed and/or water on nursery pig growth performance. Pigs were allotted to one of 9 experimental treatments: 1) control (no feed or water antimicrobials or acids); 2) water containing 38 mg/L neomycin sulfate; 3) water containing 0.06% Activate WD; 4) water containing 0.12% Activate WD; 5) feed containing Neo-Terramycin (140 g/ton neomycin sulfate, 140 g/ton oxytetracycline HCl; neo/oxy); 6) feed containing 0.50% Activate DA; 7) feed containing 0.45% Starter L; 8) feed containing 0.45% Multimax L; and 9) feed containing 0.50% Activate DA and 0.10% Mintrex P. Overall (d 0 to 42 after weaning), pigs provided neo/oxy in the feed had greater (P<0.05) ADG, compared with pigs in all other treatments, except the pigs provided the combination of Activate DA and Mintrex P in the feed. Pigs provided neo/oxy in the feed had greater ADFI (P<0.02) than did pigs provided the control treatment. There were no differences in feed efficiency between any of the treatments. These data demonstrate that pigs provided in-feed antimicrobials had improved growth, whereas those provided organic acids in feed and water did not.

Influence of L-carnitine on growth and plasma IGF-I from gilts harvested at three gestation lengths.

A total of 59 gilts were used to determine the effects of supplemental L-carnitine on gilt growth and maternal insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). Experimental treatments were arranged in a 2 × 3 factorial with main effects of L-carnitine (0 or 50 ppm) and day of gestation (40, 55, or 70). All gilts received a constant feed allowance of 3.86 lb/day and a topdress containing either 0 or 88 mg of Lcarnitine, starting on the first day of breeding. No differences (P>0.05) between treatments were observed for BW, estimated protein mass, or estimated fat mass at any gestation length. At d 70 of gestation, there was a numeric increase (P>0.10) in BW for the gilts fed L-carnitine, compared with those fed the control diet. At d 40 of gestation, gilts fed Lcarnitine tended to have greater (P = 0.10) backfat, compared with the gilts fed the control diet; but no differences (P>0.05) were observed in backfat on d 0, 55, or 70 of gestation. In addition, no differences (P>0.05) were observed in maternal IGF-I between treatments at any gestation length. Total and free plasma L-carnitine concentrations were similar (P>0.10) at d 0 of gestation, but concentrations were higher (P<0.01) by d 40 of gestation in the gilts fed L-carnitine. These results show that supplemental L-carnitine numerically increases BW of gestating gilts. This data represents the first part of an ongoing study, with the rest of the data being reported in subsequent publications.

Effects of water-based citric acid on growth performance and water disappearance of weanling pigs.

A total of 399 weanling pigs (initially 12.2 lb and 14 ± 3 d of age, PIC) were used to determine the effects of water-based citric acid on nursery pig growth performance and water disappearance. Pigs were given a common diet and one of two experimental water treatments: 1) negative control, water containing no additives; and 2) water containing 0.55 g per L citric acid. Overall (d 0 to 10 after weaning), there were no differences in growth performance between pigs provided water or water with added citric acid. In addition, water disappearance was similar between treatments for the overall period. These results suggest that adding 0.55 g/L of citric acid improves neither pig growth or water intake when offered immediately after weaning.

Effects of different dosages of water-based neomycin sulfate on growth performance of weanling pigs

A total of 360 weanling pigs (initially 14.1 lb and 21 ± 3 d of age, PIC) were used to determine the effects of different rates of waterbased medication on nursery pig growth performance. Pigs were given one of eight experimental treatments: negative control (no antibiotics in the feed or water); positive control with Neo-Terramycin in the feed (140 g/ton Neomycin sulfate, 140 g/ton Oxytetracycline HCl); 38.0, 75.5, or 113.5 mg of Neomycin sulfate per L of water; 100 or 200 g/ton of Neomycin sulfate in the feed; and Neo-Terramycin in the feed and 75.5 mg of Neomycin per L of water. Overall (d 0 to 24 after weaning), pigs provided Neomycin sulfate in the water, pigs fed diets containing Neomycin sulfate, and pigs fed the positive control diet had greater ADG (P<0.02) and ADFI (P<0.05) than did pigs provided nonmedicated water and feed. Pigs provided Neomycin sulfate in the water or feed also had improved F/G (P<0.05), compared with the F/G of pigs provided non-medicated feed and water. Pigs provided the combination of the positive control diet and Neomycin sulfate in the water had greater ADFI (P<0.04) and tended to have greater ADG (P<0.09) than did pigs fed the positive control with nonmedicated water or pigs fed the negative control with Neomycin sulfate in the water. Increasing Neomycin sulfate in the water improved ADG (P<0.03) and ADFI (P<0.05). Increasing Neomycin sulfate in the feed improved ADG and ADFI (P<0.01) and improved F/G (P<0.03). There were no differences in growth performance between pigs provided Neomycin sulfate in the water and in the feed. Finally, there were no water medication × feed medication interactions for the overall treatment period, but main effects for water and feed medication were significant (P<0.02) for ADG and ADFI.

Effects of intermittent usage of water-based Neomycin sulfate on the growth performance of weanling pigs.

A total of 360 weanling pigs (initially 11.4 lb and 18 ± 3 d of age, PIC) were used to determine the effects of intermittent use of water-based medication on nursery pig growth performance. Pigs were given one of eight experimental treatments: negative control (no antibiotics in the feed or water); positive control with Neo-Terramycin in the feed (140 g/ton Neomycin sulfate, 140 g/ton Oxytetracycline HCl); continuous use of either 38.0 or 75.5 mg Neomycin sulfate per L of water; use of either 38.0 or 75.5 mg of Neomycin sulfate per L of water, during weeks 1 and 3 after weaning; and use of either 38.0 or 75.5 mg Neomycin sulfate per L of water during weeks 2 and 4 after weaning. Overall (d 0 to 28 after weaning), pigs provided Neomycin sulfate in the water continuously and pigs fed the positive control diet had greater ADG (P<0.05) and ADFI (P<0.04) than did pigs provided non-medicated water and feed. Pigs fed the positive control diet tended (P<0.15) to have greater ADG than did pigs provided an intermittent supply of water-based Neomycin sulfate, but there was no difference in growth performance and feed efficiency between pigs fed the positive control diet and those provided a continuous supply of water-based Neomycin sulfate. Pigs provided a continuous supply of either dosage of Neomycin sulfate in the water had greater (P<0.05) ADG and ADFI than did pigs provided water-based Neomycin sulfate on an intermittent basis. These data demonstrate that providing neomycin in the feed or water results in a growth response, but there is no carryover effect. Thus, pig performance returns to the control level immediately after the supply of Neomycin is removed.