S. Nitikanchana

The effects of low-, medium-, and high-oil distillers dried grains with solubles on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and fat quality in finishing pigs

A total of 1,480 pigs were used in 3 experiments to determine the effects of corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) varying in oil content on growth performance, carcass traits, and nutrient digestibility in finishing pigs. In Exp. 1, 1,198 pigs (PIC Line 337 × 1050; initially 46.1 kg) were allotted to a corn-soybean meal-based diet or diets with 20 or 40% of a 5.4% oil DDGS (29.5% CP, 8.9% ADF, and 21.8% NDF; as-fed basis) or a 9.6% oil DDGS (29.6% CP, 15.3% ADF, and 28.6% NDF; as-fed basis). From d 0 to 82, ADG was unaffected by DDGS source or level. However, increasing 5.4% oil DDGS decreased (linear, P < 0.01) G:F, whereas G:F did not change among pigs fed 9.6% oil DDGS (DDGS source × level interaction; P < 0.01). Regardless of DDGS source, carcass yield and HCW decreased (linear, P < 0.04) with increasing DDGS. Increasing DDGS increased jowl iodine value (IV), but the magnitude was greater in pigs fed the 9.6% oil DDGS compared with those fed 5.4% oil DDGS (DDGS source × level interaction; P < 0.01). In Exp. 2, 270 pigs (PIC Line 327 × 1050; initially 46.5 kg) were allotted a corn-soybean meal-based diet or diets with 20 or 40% of a 9.4% oil DDGS (29.4% CP, 19.6% ADF, and 34.5% NDF; as-fed basis) or a 12.1% oil DDGS (28.5% CP, 17.6% ADF, and 31.4% NDF; as-fed basis). From d 0 to 75, ADG increased and then decreased for pigs fed 9.4% oil DDGS but was unchanged for pigs fed 12.1% oil DDGS (quadratic interaction, P < 0.02). Increasing DDGS increased (linear, P < 0.01) jowl IV and tended (linear, P < 0.07) to increase G:F. Regardless of source, HCW and carcass yield decreased (linear, P < 0.05) as DDGS increased. In Exp. 3, nutrient digestibility of the 4 DDGS sources was determined using pigs fed either a corn-based basal diet (96.6% corn and 3.4% vitamins and minerals) or a DDGS diet with 50% basal diet and 50% DDGS. On an as-fed basis, corn contained 3,871 and 3,515 kcal/kg GE and DE, respectively. The 5.4, 9.6, 9.4, and 12.1% oil DDGS contained 4,347, 4,648, 4,723, and 4,904 kcal/kg (as-fed basis) GE and 3,417, 3,690, 3,838, and 3,734 kcal/kg DE, respectively (as-fed basis). Stepwise regression indicated that the oil (ether extract) content was the only significant variable to explain differences in energy content. The equations generated to predict DE and NE as a function of oil content on an as-fed basis were DE (kcal/kg) = 62.347 × ether extract (%) + 3,058.13 (n = 5, adjusted R(2) = 0.41) and NE (kcal/kg) = 115.011 × ether extract (%) + 1,501.01 (n = 5, adjusted R(2) = 0.86).

The effects of medium-oil dried distillers grains with solubles on growth performance, carcass traits, and nutrient digestibility in growing–finishing pigs

A total of 288 mixed-sex pigs (PIC 327 × 1050; initially 68.9 kg BW) were used in a 67-d study to determine the effects of increasing medium-oil dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS; 7.63% ether extract, 30.1% CP, 19.53% ADF, 36.47% NDF, and 4.53% ash; as-fed basis) on growth performance and carcass traits in finishing pigs. Treatments consisted of a corn-soybean meal control diet or the control diet with 15, 30, or 45% medium-oil DDGS. Diets were fed over 2 phases (69 to 100 and 100 to 126 kg) and were not balanced for energy. Diets were formulated to meet or exceed the AA, vitamin, and mineral requirements and contained constant standardized ileal digestible lysine levels within phase. Increasing medium-oil DDGS decreased (linear, P < 0.02) ADG and G:F. Average daily gain decreased approximately 2.3% for every 15% added medium-oil DDGS whereas G:F decreased approximately 1.3% with every 15% added DDGS. In addition, final BW, HCW, carcass yield, and loin-eye depth decreased (linear, P < 0.03) and jowl iodine value (IV) increased (linear, P < 0.001) with increasing medium-oil DDGS. Nutrient digestibility of the DDGS source was determined using pigs (initially 25.6 kg BW) that were fed either a corn-based basal diet (96.6% corn and 3.4% vitamins and minerals) or a DDGS diet, which was a 50:50 blend of the basal diet and medium-oil DDGS. There were 12 replications for each diet consisting of a 5-d adaptation period followed by 2 d of total fecal collection on a timed basis. Feces were analyzed for GE, DM, CP, crude fiber, NDF, ADF, and ether extract. On an as-fed basis, corn was analyzed to contain 3,871 and 3,515 kcal/kg GE and DE, respectively. Medium-oil DDGS was analyzed to contain 4,585 and 3,356 kcal/kg GE and DE, respectively (as-fed basis). Digestibility coefficients of the medium-oil DDGS were 70.3% DM, 82.9% CP, 61.4% ether extract, 77.4% ADF, 67.5% NDF, and 67.2% crude fiber. Caloric efficiency (ADFI × kcal energy intake/kg BW gain) was not different when expressed on a DE or a calculated ME or NE basis, which suggests that the energy values derived from the nutrient balance study were accurate. In conclusion, increasing dietary inclusion of medium-oil DDGS decreased ADG, G:F, final BW, HCW, and carcass yield and increased jowl fat IV relative to those fed a corn-soybean meal-based diet.

The interactive effects of high-fat, high-fiber diets and ractopamine HCl on finishing pig growth performance, carcass characteristics, and carcass fat quality.

A total of 576 mixed-sex pigs (PIC 327 × 1,050; initial BW = 55.8 ± 5.5 kg) were used to determine the effects of corn dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) and wheat middlings (midds) withdrawal 24 d before harvest in diets without or with ractopamine HCl (RAC) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and carcass fat quality. From d 0 to 49, pigs were fed a corn-soybean meal-based diet (CS) or a diet high in unsaturated fat and crude fiber provided by 30% DDGS and 19% wheat midds (HFF) and not balanced for energy. On d 49, pens of pigs previously fed CS diets remained on the CS diet. Half of the HFF-fed pigs were switched to the CS-based diets, which served as the withdrawal regimen. Finally, half of the HFF-fed pigs remained on the same HFF diet. All 3 regimens were fed without or with 10 mg/kg RAC. There were 12 pens per treatment with 8 pigs per pen. No significant diet regimen × RAC interactions were observed. From d 0 to 49, pigs fed the CS diet had increased (P < 0.001) ADG and G:F compared with pigs fed the HFF diet. Overall (d 0 to 73), pigs fed the CS diets throughout had greater (P < 0.001) ADG and G:F than those fed the HFF diets throughout. Pigs fed the withdrawal diets had greater (P = 0.014) ADG, but similar G:F to those fed the HFF diets throughout. Pigs fed the CS diets throughout had greater (P = 0.025) carcass yield compared with pigs fed the HFF diets throughout, with those fed the withdrawal diets intermediate. Pigs fed RAC had greater (P < 0.001) ADG, G:F, and carcass yield (P = 0.061 than pigs not fed RAC. Jowl, backfat, belly, and leaf fat iodine value (IV) were lowest (P < 0.001) for pigs fed the CS diets, highest (P < 0.015) for those fed HFF diets throughout, and intermediate for pigs fed the withdrawal diet. There were no differences in either full or rinsed intestine or organ weights between pigs that were fed CS diets throughout and pigs fed the withdrawal diet; however, pigs fed the HFF diets throughout the study had increased (P = 0.002) rinsed cecum and full large intestine weights (P = 0.003) compared with the pigs fed the withdrawal diets. Withdrawing the HFF diet and switching to a CS diet for the last 24 d before harvest partially mitigated negative effects on carcass yield and IV often associated with high-fat, high-fiber ingredients such as DDGS and wheat midds. Feeding RAC for the last 24 d before market, regardless of dietary regimen, improved growth performance and carcass yield.

Regression analysis to predict growth performance from dietary net energy in growing-finishing pigs.

Data from 41 trials with multiple energy levels (285 observations) were used in a meta-analysis to predict growth performance based on dietary NE concentration. Nutrient and energy concentrations in all diets were estimated using the NRC ingredient library. Predictor variables examined for best fit models using Akaike information criteria included linear and quadratic terms of NE, BW, CP, standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys, crude fiber, NDF, ADF, fat, ash, and their interactions. The initial best fit models included interactions between NE and CP or SID Lys. After removal of the observations that fed SID Lys below the suggested requirement, these terms were no longer significant. Including dietary fat in the model with NE and BW significantly improved the G:F prediction model, indicating that NE may underestimate the influence of fat on G:F. The meta-analysis indicated that, as long as diets are adequate for other nutrients (i.e., Lys), dietary NE is adequate to predict changes in ADG across different dietary ingredients and conditions. The analysis indicates that ADG increases with increasing dietary NE and BW but decreases when BW is above 87 kg. The G:F ratio improves with increasing dietary NE and fat but decreases with increasing BW. The regression equations were then evaluated by comparing the actual and predicted performance of 543 finishing pigs in 2 trials fed 5 dietary treatments, included 3 different levels of NE by adding wheat middlings, soybean hulls, dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS; 8 to 9% oil), or choice white grease (CWG) to a corn-soybean meal-based diet. Diets were 1) 30% DDGS, 20% wheat middlings, and 4 to 5% soybean hulls (low energy); 2) 20% wheat middlings and 4 to 5% soybean hulls (low energy); 3) a corn-soybean meal diet (medium energy); 4) diet 2 supplemented with 3.7% CWG to equalize the NE level to diet 3 (medium energy); and 5) a corn-soybean meal diet with 3.7% CWG (high energy). Only small differences were observed between predicted and observed values of ADG and G:F except for the low-energy diet containing the greatest fiber content (30% DDGS diet), where ADG and G:F were overpredicted by 3 to 6%. Therefore, the prediction equations provided a good estimation of the growth rate and feed efficiency of growing-finishing pigs fed different levels of dietary NE except for the pigs fed the low-energy diet containing the greatest fiber content.

Effects of standardized ileal digestible tryptophan: lysine ratio on growth performance of nursery pigs.

Two experiments were conducted to estimate the standardized ileal digestible (SID) Trp:Lys ratio requirement for growth performance of nursery pigs. Experimental diets were formulated to ensure that lysine was the second limiting AA throughout the experiments. In Exp. 1 (6 to 10 kg BW), 255 nursery pigs (PIC 327 × 1050, initially 6.3 ± 0.15 kg, mean ± SD) arranged in pens of 6 or 7 pigs were blocked by pen weight and assigned to experimental diets (7 pens/diet) consisting of SID Trp:Lys ratios of 14.7%, 16.5%, 18.4%, 20.3%, 22.1%, and 24.0% for 14 d with 1.30% SID Lys. In Exp. 2 (11 to 20 kg BW), 1,088 pigs (PIC 337 × 1050, initially 11.2 kg ± 1.35 BW, mean ± SD) arranged in pens of 24 to 27 pigs were blocked by average pig weight and assigned to experimental diets (6 pens/diet) consisting of SID Trp:Lys ratios of 14.5%, 16.5%, 18.0%, 19.5%, 21.0%, 22.5%, and 24.5% for 21 d with 30% dried distillers grains with solubles and 0.97% SID Lys. Each experiment was analyzed using general linear mixed models with heterogeneous residual variances. Competing heteroskedastic models included broken-line linear (BLL), broken-line quadratic (BLQ), and quadratic polynomial (QP). For each response, the best-fitting model was selected using Bayesian information criterion. In Exp. 1 (6 to 10 kg BW), increasing SID Trp:Lys ratio linearly increased ( 0.05) ADG and G:F. For ADG, the best-fitting model was a QP in which the maximum ADG was estimated at 23.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: [<14.7%, >24.0%]) SID Trp:Lys ratio. For G:F, the best-fitting model was a BLL in which the maximum G:F was estimated at 20.4% (95% CI: [14.3%, 26.5%]) SID Trp:Lys. In Exp. 2 (11 to 20 kg BW), increasing SID Trp:Lys ratio increased ( 0.05) ADG and G:F in a quadratic manner. For ADG, the best-fitting model was a QP in which the maximum ADG was estimated at 21.2% (95% CI: [20.5%, 21.9%]) SID Trp:Lys. For G:F, BLL and BLQ models had comparable fit and estimated SID Trp:Lys requirements at 16.6% (95% CI: [16.0%, 17.3%]) and 17.1% (95% CI: [16.6%, 17.7%]), respectively. In conclusion, the estimated SID Trp:Lys requirement in Exp. 1 ranged from 20.4% for maximum G:F to 23.9% for maximum ADG, whereas in Exp. 2 it ranged from 16.6% for maximum G:F to 21.2% for maximum ADG. These results suggest that standard recommendations may underestimate the SID Trp:Lys requirement for nursery pigs from 11 to 20 kg BW.

The effects of MicroSource S on growth performance, fecal consistency, and postcleaning microbial load of growing-finishing pigs.

A total of 1,245 pigs (PIC 1050 × 337, initially 106 lb) were used in a 90-d study to determine the effects of MicroSource S (DSM Nutritional Products Inc., Parsippany, NJ) and diet type on growth performance, carcass traits, fecal consistency, pen cleaning time, and postcleaning microbial load in growing-finishing pigs raised under commercial conditions. Pens of pigs were balanced by initial weight and randomly allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with 25 to 26 pigs per pen and 8 replications per treatment. Treatments were arranged as a 3 × 2 factorial with main effects of MicroSource S (0, 1×, or 1.3×) and diet type (corn-soybean meal or a by-product–based diet with 30% dried distillers grains with solubles [DDGS] and 15% bakery by-product). The MicroSource S dose in the diet was 147 million cfu/g feed for the 1× level and 191 million cfu/g feed for the 1.3× level. Fecal consistency and manure buildup in each pen was scored at the end of the trial by 3 observers with the average value per pen used for analysis. Time required to wash each individual pen was also recorded. After pens were cleaned and dried, ATP (adenosine triphosphate) testing was used to measure microbial load in each pen.

Effects of low-, medium-, and high-oil dried distillers grains with solubles on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and fat quality in finishing pigs

A total of 1,480 pigs were used in 3 experiments to determine the effects of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) varying in oil content on growth performance, carcass characteristics, carcass fat quality, and nutrient digestibility in growing-finishing pigs. In Exp. 1, 1,198 pigs (PIC 337 × 1050, initially 101.6 lb) were used to evaluate the effects of corn DDGS with 5.4 or 9.6% oil (as-fed). Pigs were allotted to a cornsoybean meal–based control diet or diets with 20 or 40% of the two DDGS sources. From d 0 to 82, ADG was unaffected by DDGS source or level. Increasing 5.4% oil DDGS made F/G poorer (linear, P < 0.01), whereas F/G did not change for pigs fed 9.6% oil DDGS. Regardless of DDGS source, carcass yield and HCW decreased (linear, P < 0.04) with increasing DDGS. Increasing DDGS increased jowl iodine value (IV), but the magnitude was greater in pigs fed the 9.6% oil DDGS compared with those fed 5.4% oil DDGS (DDGS source × level interaction; P < 0.01). In Exp. 2, a total of 270 pigs (PIC 327 × 1050, initially 102.5 lb) were allotted a corn-soybean meal–based control diet with 20 or 40% of a 9.4% oil or 12.1% oil DDGS. From d 0 to 75, ADG increased for pigs fed increasing 9.4% oil DDGS but not for pigs fed 12.1% oil DDGS (quadratic interaction, P < 0.02). Increasing DDGS increased (linear, P < 0.01) jowl IV and tended (linear, P < 0.07) to improve F/G. Regardless of source, HCW and carcass yield decreased (linear, P < 0.05) as DDGS increased. In Exp. 3, nutrient digestibility of the 4 DDGS sources was determined using pigs fed either a corn-based basal diet or a DDGS diet with 50% basal diet and 50% DDGS. On an as-fed basis, corn contained 1,756 and 1,594 kcal/lb GE and DE, respectively. The 5.4, 9.6, 9.4, and 12.1% oil DDGS contained 1,972, 2,108, 2,142, and 2,224 kcal/lb (as-fed) GE and 1,550, 1,674, 1,741, and 1,694 kcal/lb DE, respectively (as-fed). Stepwise regression indicated that the oil (ether extract) content was the only significant variable in explaining differences in energy content, and that a 1% change in oil content will change the DE by 28 kcal/lb (Adjusted R2 = 0.41) and NE by 52 kcal/lb (Adjusted R2 = 0.86; as-fed).

Meta-analysis comparing growth performance, carcass characteristics, and water usage of growing-finishing pigs fed using conventional dry and wet-dry feeders.

Fifteen trials were used for meta-analyses comparing the effects of conventional dry (CD) and wet-dry (WD) feeders on growth performance, carcass traits, and water usage of growing-finishing pigs. The meta-analysis indicated that pigs fed with WD feeders consistently had greater (P 0.14) among feeder types. Water usage for pigs fed with WD feeders was 0.4 gal/pig/d less (P = 0.02) than for pigs using CD feeders. Growing-finishing pigs fed with WD feeders had increased growth rate, feed intake, final BW, and HCW, but deposited more fat as indicated by greater backfat and lower percentage lean.

Effects of feeding different dietary net energy levels to growing-finishing pigs when dietary lysine is adequate.

A total of 543 pigs (PIC 1050 × 327: PIC Hendersonville, TN) were used in 2 consecutive experiments with initial BW of 105 and 125 lb in Experiments 1 and 2, respectively. The objective was to validate the regression equations predicting growth rate and feed efficiency of growing-finishing pigs based on dietary NE content by comparing actual and predicted performance. Thus, the 5 treatments included diets with: (1) 30% dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS), 20% wheat middlings, and 4 to 5% soybean hulls (low-energy); (2) 20% wheat middlings and 4 to 5% soybean hulls (low-energy); (3) a corn-soybean meal diet (medium-energy); (4) diet 2 supplemented with 3.7% choice white grease (CWG) to equalize NE level to diet 3 (medium-energy); and (5) a corn-soybean meal diet with 3.7% CWG (high-energy). In Experiments 1 and 2, increasing dietary NE increased (linear, P 0.26) in net energy caloric efficiency (NEE) on a live weight basis were observed with increasing dietary NE. Nevertheless, feeding 30% DDGS (diet 1) resulted in a poorer (P = 0.05) NEE on a carcass basis compared with feeding the other diets. In conclusion, the prediction equations provided a good estimate of growth rate and feed efficiency of growing-finishing pigs fed different levels of dietary NE except for the pigs fed low-energy diet containing highest fiber content (diet 1). These predictions of growth performance can be used to model the economic value of different dietary energy strategies.

Evaluation of different zinc sources and levels on nursery pig performance

A total of 294 pigs (PIC 327 × 1050, initially 14.1 lb BW) were used in a 31-d trial to evaluate the effects of increasing levels of two different zinc sources on nursery pig growth performance. Pigs were weaned at 21 d of age and were fed pelleted diets for the first 7 d and a mash diet for 24 d of the 31-d trial. Each treatment had 7 replicate pens with 7 pigs per pen. The 6 experimental diets were: (1) a control diet; (2) a diet with 500 ppm of Zn from Zinco+; (3) a diet with 1,500 ppm of added Zn from Zinco+; (4) a diet with 500 ppm of Zn from zinc oxide (ZnO); (5) a diet with 1,500 ppm of Zn from ZnO; and (6) a diet with 3,000 ppm of Zn from ZnO. All diets contained 110 ppm of Zn from the ZnSO4 provided by the trace mineral premix. Zinco+ (Jefo, Quebec, Canada) is a fat-encapsulated form of ZnO that is suggested to be more bioavailable than ZnO.