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R D Goodband

Publications and source records attributed to R D Goodband.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Amino acid and energy digestibility of protein sources for growing pigs.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of AA and DE, and to estimate ME and NE of rice protein concentrate, salmon protein hydrolysate, whey protein concentrate, and spray-dried plasma protein. In Exp. 1, 6 barrows (initially 29.5 +/- 2.5 kg of BW) were fitted with ileal T-cannulas and fed each of 5 cornstarch-based diets in a balanced crossover design over 35 d. During a given week, there were either 1 or 2 replications of each treatment, resulting in 6 total replications over 5 wk. The 4 test diets (fed from d 0 to 28) were formulated to contain 12.5% CP by using analyzed nutrient compositions of rice protein concentrate, salmon protein hydrolysate, whey protein concentrate, or spray-dried plasma protein. The fifth (N-free) diet was fed from d 28 to 35 to estimate basal endogenous losses of CP and AA, which were used to calculate SID. Ileal digesta were collected and analyzed, and AID and SID values were calculated. Apparent ileal digestible Lys, Met, and Thr values were 80.0 +/- 3.3, 65.6 +/- 3.1, and 68.4 +/- 4.5% for rice protein concentrate; 85.6 +/- 4.8, 85.5 +/- 4.3, and 69.8 +/- 8.5% for salmon protein hydrolysate; 93.3 +/- 1.4, 89.9 +/- 5.8, and 83.6 +/- 5.3% for whey protein concentrate; and 92.8 +/- 0.9, 85.7 +/- 2.1, 86.5 +/- 2.3% for spray-dried plasma protein, respectively. In Exp. 2, 6 barrows (initially 37.6 +/- 1.7 kg of BW) were fed each of 5 corn-based diets in a balanced crossover design over 35 d. During a given week, there were either 1 or 2 replications of each treatment, resulting in 6 total replications over 5 wk. The 4 diets containing the test ingredients were formulated to contain approximately 20% CP by using their analyzed nutrient compositions. The fifth (corn control) diet containing 8.2% CP was also used to calculate energy values by difference. Feces were collected to determine DE. The ME and NE contents were estimated using published regression equations. The DE, ME, and NE (as-fed) values were 4,724 +/- 461, 4,226 +/- 437, and 3,235 +/- 380 kcal/kg for rice protein concentrate; 4,173 +/- 1,052, 3,523 +/- 1,002, and 2,623 +/- 872 kcal/kg for salmon protein hydrolysate; 4,949 +/- 1,002, 4,352 +/- 955, and 3,344 +/- 831 kcal/kg for whey protein concentrate; and 4,546 +/- 673, 3,979 +/- 652, and 3,020 +/- 567 kcal/kg for spray-dried plasma protein, respectively. The excellent AA digestibility and relatively high DE, ME, and NE values indicate that these protein sources warrant further investigation as ingredients for growing pig diets.

Amino Acids↗

Comparison of yellow dent and NutriDense corn hybrids in swine diets.

Two experiments were conducted to verify the feeding value of NutriDense (ND) and Nutri-Dense Low-Phytate (NDLP) corn (Exseed Genetics LLC, BASF Plant Science, Research Triangle Park, NC) relative to that of yellow dent (YD) corn in swine diets. NutriDense corn is a high-protein, high-oil variety, and NDLP is a high-protein, high-oil, low-phytate variety. In Exp. 1, 315 nursery pigs that initially weighed 15.2 kg were used in a 21-d growth assay. Dietary treatments were arranged in a 3 x 3 factorial; main effects were corn source (YD, ND, and NDLP) and added fat (0, 3, or 6%, as-fed basis). Diets were formulated to contain 3.83 g of lysine/Mcal using calculated nutrient values. There were no corn source x fat interactions observed. Pigs fed YD, ND, and NDLP had ADG of 750, 734, and 738 g/d and G:F of 0.64, 0.66, and 0.65, respectively. No differences (P > 0.10) in ADG were observed among the three corn sources; however, pigs fed diets containing either ND or NDLP corn had decreased ADFI (P < 0.02) and improved G:F (P < 0.05) compared with pigs fed diets containing YD corn. Increasing dietary fat increased ADG (727, 746, and 748 g/d; linear, P < 0.04) and G:F (0.62, 0.66, and 0.68; linear, P < 0.01) and decreased ADFI (linear, P < 0.01). Using the NRC (1998) value for ME in YD corn, we calculated the energy value for ND and NDLP based on G:F differences compared with pigs fed YD corn. These data indicated the ME values for ND and NDLP corn are 4.5 and 2.5% greater (3,575 and 3,505 Kcal/kg), respectively, than for YD corn (3,420 Kcal/kg). In Exp. 2, 1,144 gilts (initial BW = 50.1 kg) were used in a commercial research facility to evaluate the effects of corn source (ND and YD) and added fat (0, 3, or 6%, as-fed basis) in a 2 x 3 factorial on pig performance and carcass traits. There was a corn source x fat interaction for ADFI and G:F. Increasing added fat resulted in greater changes in ADFI and G:F in pigs fed YD corn diets compared with those fed ND corn. Feeding ND corn increased ADG (main effect, P < 0.04), and greater percentages of added fat increased ADG (main effect; linear, P < 0.01). Results of Exp. 2 suggest that ND corn has 5.3% more ME than YD corn. The additional energy provided by ND corn improves G:F in both nursery and grow-finish pigs, and ND corn offers a means of formulating diets more concentrated in energy than YD corn.

Animal Feed↗

Effect of sow parity and weight at service on target maternal weight and energy for gain in gestation.

The objective of this study was to evaluate targeted maternal weight gains in sows by parity group during gestation. Weight and backfat gains during gestation by parity, weight, and backfat groups also were analyzed. The data evaluated were a subset (374 sows) of a larger experiment that compared three methods of feeding sows during gestation on weight and backfat gains and subsequent reproductive performance. Feed allowances were based on modeled calculations of energy and nutrient requirements to achieve target sow maternal weight and backfat gains. Actual backfat gain for gilts and sows was regressed on maternal weight gain and estimated energy available for gain. The regression equations were then used to predict maternal weight gains for target backfat gains for three parity groups (gilts, Parity 1 and 2 sows, and Parity 3 and older sows). For gilts and Parity 1 and 2 sows, much greater target maternal weight gains are required to achieve 6 and 9 mm of backfat gain, whereas Parity 3 and older sows require maternal weight gains similar to those targeted to achieve the desired backfat gain. Given similar energy intake levels above maintenance, gilts gained more weight than multiparous sows, as gain was based more on protein and less on fat and thus was more efficient. Gilts required more maternal weight gain than sows to achieve similar backfat gains due to the higher protein and low fat contents of gain in younger, lighter sows compared with older parity sows. Low-backfat sows that needed to gain large amounts of backfat failed to achieve these large gains. We speculate this failure may be due to lower tissue insulation levels with the low backfat levels and higher activity levels of these sows compared with high-backfat sows. It seems that both parity and weight are individually important factors that influence energy and nutrient requirements for gestation in the modern sow.

Adipose Tissue↗

Dietary L-carnitine increases plasma leptin concentrations of gestating sows fed one meal per day.

Thirty-four sows (parity=1.8; BW=206 kg) were used to determine the influence of L-carnitine and/or chromium tripicolinate on plasma leptin concentrations of gestating sows fed one meal daily. Treatments were arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial with main effects of carnitine (0 or 50 ppm) and chromium (0 or 200 ppb). Diets were fed for approximately 167 days (through one gestation, the following lactation, the interval from weaning to estrus, and 28 days into the following gestation) prior to blood collection. Leptin concentration was determined in plasma that was collected at feeding, every 15 min for the first 3h after feeding, and at 6, 9, 15, 20, and 24h after feeding. Sows fed diets containing carnitine had greater (P<0.02) overall mean plasma leptin concentrations and greater (P<0.05) leptin concentrations at 2.25, 3, 6, 15, 20, and 24h after feeding compared to sows fed either the control diet or the diet containing chromium. Leptin concentrations of sows fed diets containing carnitine also were greater (P<0.05) than control sows at 2.5 and 2.75 h postprandial and greater than (P<0.05) sows fed diets with both carnitine and chromium at 6h after feeding. Chromium had no effect (P>0.10) on plasma leptin concentration. These results suggest that dietary carnitine, but not chromium, increases circulating leptin in gestating sows fed one meal per day. These results may help to explain the improvements in reproductive function previously observed from feeding sows diets containing carnitine.

Animals↗

Phosphorus requirements of growing-finishing pigs reared in a commercial environment.

The objective of this study was to identify available phosphorus (aP) requirements of pigs reared in commercial facilities. In a preliminary study, 600 gilts (PIC) were allotted randomly to low (0.30%) or high (0.37%) dietary aP from 43 to 48 kg BW, and later to 0.19 or 0.27% aP from 111 to 121 kg BW. No differences were observed (P = 0.42 to 0.88) in ADG, but G:F from 43 to 48 kg tended to improve (P = 0.07) for pigs fed low aP. Results suggested that the aP requirement was at or below 0.30 and 0.19%. These concentrations were used to titrate aP requirements in Exp. 1 and 2. In Exp. 1, 1,260 gilts (initially 33.8 kg) were allotted randomly to one of five dietary treatments containing 0.18, 0.22, 0.25, 0.29, or 0.32% aP, corresponding to 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, or 0.9 g of aP/Mcal of ME. There were 28 pigs per pen and nine pens per treatment. From d 0 to 14, increasing aP increased ADG (linear, P = 0.03) and G:F (quadratic, P = 0.07), with the greatest response observed as aP increased from 0.18 to 0.22% (G:F breakpoint = 0.22%). However, from d 0 to 26, no differences (P = 0.12 to 0.81) were observed for any growth traits. Pooled bending moment of the femur, sixth rib, and third and fourth metatarsals increased (linear, P = 0.007) with increasing aP. In Exp. 2, 1,239 gilts (initially 88.5 kg BW) were randomly allotted to one of five dietary treatments containing 0.05, 0.10, 0.14, 0.19, or 0.23% aP, equivalent to 0.14, 0.28, 0.39, 0.53, or 0.64 g of aP/Mcal of ME. The diet with 0.05% aP contained no added inorganic P. From d 0 to 14, increasing aP increased (linear, P = 0.008 to 0.02) ADG and G:F; however, from d 0 to 28, increasing aP had no effect (P = 0.17 to 0.74) on growth performance. Increasing aP increased (linear, P < 0.001 to 0.04) metacarpal bone ash percent and bending moment. Results suggest that 33- to 55-kg pigs require approximately 0.22% aP, which corresponds to 0.60 g of aP/Mcal of ME or 3.30 g of aP/d to maximize ADG and G:F compared with NRC (1998) estimates of 0.23%, 0.70 g of aP/Mcal of ME, and 4.27 g of aP/d for 20- to 50-kg pigs. Finishing pigs (88 to 109 kg) require at least 0.19% aP, corresponding to 0.53 g of aP/Mcal of ME or 4.07 g aP/d compared with NRC (1998) estimates of 0.15%, 0.46 g of aP/Mcal of ME and 4.61 g of aP/d for 80- to 120-kg pigs. However, the percentage of bone ash and bending moment continued to increase with increasing aP. These data also suggest that complete removal of supplemental P in diets for finishing pigs (>88 kg) will decrease ADG and G:F.

Animal Feed↗

Comparison of three methods of feeding sows in gestation and the subsequent effects on lactation performance.

A total of 684 sows from breeding groups over 6 wk was used to compare three methods of feeding during gestation on gestation and lactation performance. Control gilts and sows were fed according to body condition based on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = thin, 5 = fat). Sows were visually assessed for body condition at breeding and were assigned a daily feed allowance to achieve a BCS of 3 at farrowing. Treatment 2 used feeding levels based on backfat thickness (measured between d 0 and 5 after breeding) and weight at weaning for sows or service for gilts. Feed allowance was calculated to achieve a target backfat of 19 mm at farrowing, and remained constant from d 0 to 101 of gestation. Feed allowances were based on modeled calculations of energy and nutrient requirements to achieve target sow maternal weight and backfat gains. Treatment 3 was identical to Treatment 2, except that feeding pattern was altered for thin sows and gilts (<15 mm at service) in an attempt to reach 19 mm by d 36 of gestation. Sows were weighed at the previous weaning, and gilts were weighed at service, with both weighed again between d 112 and 114 of gestation. Backfat was measured between d 0 and 5, and again between d 108 and 113 of gestation. At farrowing, sows on Treatments 2 and 3 had 19 and 19.1 mm of backfat, respectively, whereas control sows tended to have greater (P < 0.07) backfat (20 mm). On average, sows targeted to gain 6 to 9 mm of backfat failed to reach target gains regardless of feeding method. Feeding sows in gestation based on backfat (Treatments 2 and 3) resulted in a numerically higher proportion of sows in the target backfat range of 17 to 21 mm (40.2, 53.3, and 52.6% for control and Treatments 2 and 3, respectively) at farrowing and a numerically lower percentage of fat sows (>21 mm), but no difference in the percentage of thin sows (<17 mm) compared with feeding based on body condition. In conjunction with this observation, sows fed based on BCS were fed higher (P < 0.05) feeding levels in gestation than were sows fed based on backfat depth. Gestation feeding method had no effect on performance during lactation. Feed intake in lactation was lower (P < 0.05) for high backfat sows (>21 mm) at farrowing compared with sows with <21 mm. The high proportion of sows in the optimal backfat category demonstrates that feeding based on backfat and BW has potential for facilitating more precise feeding during gestation.

Adipose Tissue↗

Conceptus and maternal responses to increased feed intake during early gestation in pigs.

Maternal diet influences fetal growth and postnatal development. We hypothesized that conceptuses gestated in sows provided ad libitum vs. restricted feed intake would differ in the milieu of hormones, growth factors, nutrients, and metabolites associated with growth and metabolism. This hypothesis was tested in two experiments by providing fourth-parity sows (Pig Improvement Co. C15 bred to Line 326 boars) with either 1.81 kg/d (as-fed basis; control) or ad libitum access to gestation diet. In Exp. 1, control (n = 6) or ad libitum (6.4 +/- 0.11 kg/d; n = 9) treatments were provided from d 29 to 45 (onset of estrus is d 0), and sows were slaughtered on d 46. Ad libitum sows gained more weight from d 29 to 45 than controls (34.0 vs. 4.32 kg, respectively; P < 0.01). No differences were observed on d 46 for the number of fetuses, conceptus attachment length, allantoic + amniotic fluid volume, placental weight, fetal weight, and fetal crown-to-rump length. Variation in fetal crown-to-rump length was less (P < 0.03) in sows fed ad libitum. Sows fed ad libitum had greater (P < 0.01) IGF-I and insulin concentrations in plasma than controls on d 43. In Exp. 2, sows were fed 1.81 kg/d (n = 6) or ad libitum (7.0 +/- 0.11 kg/d; n = 4) from d 30 to 56 of gestation, when sows were anesthetized and samples were collected surgically from their gravid uteri. Sows fed ad libitum gained more weight (P < 0.01) than did controls and had more (P < 0.06) IGF-I in their plasma and the plasma collected from umbilical veins of their fetuses. No differences were found for concentrations of insulin or glucose in plasma of sows or fetuses, but urea N concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) in maternal plasma and in the plasma, and allantoic and amniotic fluids of conceptuses from sows fed ad libitum. Combined data from Exp. 1 and 2 revealed a treatment x fetal number interaction (P < 0.05) for average fetal weight. The expected negative relationship between within-litter average fetal weight and the number of fetuses per uterus was observed for control sows (y = 115.4 -1.75 x fetal number; P < 0.05), but litters of ad libitum sows did not show this effect. The hypothesis that providing feed in excess of established requirements in early gestation affects the in utero milieu is supported by these results. Data further reveal that, at least at mid-gestation, the restraint to fetal growth that is exhibited when fetal number increases in control sows is not exhibited when sows are fed ad libitum.

Animal Feed↗

Comparison of wheat gluten and spray-dried animal plasma in diets for nursery pigs.

Five experiments were conducted to determine the effects of different wheat gluten (WG) sources (Source 1 = enzymatically hydrolyzed, Source 2 = nonmodified ring-dried, Source 3 = spray-dried, and Source 4 = flash-dried) on growth performance of nursery pigs compared with soybean meal (SBM), spray-dried animal plasma (SDAP), or other specialty protein sources. In Exp. 1, pigs (n = 220, initially 6.1 +/- 2.5 kg) were fed a control diet containing (as-fed basis) 6% SDAP or WG Source 1 or 2. The WG and l-lysine*HCl replaced 50 or 100% of the SDAP. From d 0 to 21, increasing WG (either source) decreased ADG and ADFI (linear, P < 0.01), but improved (linear, P < 0.02) G:F. In Exp. 2, pigs (n = 252, initially 6.2 +/- 3.0 kg) were fed a negative control diet containing no SDAP or WG, diets containing (as-fed basis) 9% WG Source 1 or 5% SDAP, or combinations of WG and SDAP where WG and l-lysine*HCl replaced 25, 50, or 75% of SDAP. From d 0 to 14, pigs fed increasing WG had decreased ADG (linear, P < 0.05). In Exp. 3, pigs (n = 240, initially 7.0 +/- 2.5 kg) were fed a negative control diet, a diet containing (as-fed basis) either 3, 6, 9, or 12% WG Source 3, or a positive control diet containing 5% SDAP. The diets containing 9% WG and 5% SDAP had the same amount of SBM. From d 0 to 7, pigs fed 5% SDAP had greater (P < 0.04) ADG than pigs fed the diet containing 9% WG. From d 0 to 14, increasing WG had no effect on ADG, ADFI, or G:F. In Exp. 4, pigs (n = 200, initially 6.0 +/- 2.4 kg) were fed a negative control diet, the control diet with (as-fed basis) 4.5 or 9.0% WG Source 1, or the control diet with 2.5 or 5.0% SDAP. Diets containing WG and SDAP had similar SBM levels. From d 0 to 7 and 0 to 14, increasing SDAP tended to improve (linear, P < 0.06) ADG, but increasing WG had no effect. In Exp. 5, 170 barrows and gilts (initially 7.5 +/- 2.8 kg) were used to determine the effects of WG Source 1 and 4 compared with select Menhaden fish meal or spray-dried blood cells and a negative control diet (SBM) on the growth performance of nursery pigs from d 5 to 26 postweaning (d 0 to 21 of experiment). No differences were found in ADG or G:F, but pigs fed the diet containing (as-fed basis) 2.5% spray-dried blood cells had greater ADFI than pigs fed the negative control from d 0 to 21. Wheat gluten source had no effect on ADG, ADFI, or G:F. The results of these studies suggest that increasing WG in diets fed immediately after weaning did not improve growth performance relative to SBM or SDAP.

Animal Feed↗

Evaluation of methods to reduce bacteria concentrations in spray-dried animal plasma and its effects on nursery pig performance.

Four experiments with 1,040 weanling pigs (17 +/- 2 d of age at weaning) were conducted to evaluate the effects of spray-dried animal plasma source, drying technique, and methods of bacterial reduction on nursery pig performance. In Exp. 1, 180 barrows and gilts (initial BW 5.9 +/- 1.8 kg) were used to compare effects of animal plasma, animal plasma source, drying technique (spray-dried or freeze-dried), and plasma irradiation in nursery pig diets. From d 0 to 10, pigs fed diets containing irradiated spray-dried animal plasma had increased ADG and ADFI (P < 0.05) compared with pigs fed diets containing nonirradiated spray-dried animal plasma. Pigs fed irradiated animal plasma Sources 1 and 2 were similar in ADG and ADFI, but pigs fed animal plasma Source 1 had greater ADG (P < 0.05) than pigs fed animal plasma Source 2 and pigs not fed plasma. Pigs fed freeze-dried animal plasma had growth performance similar (P > 0.36) to pigs fed spray-dried animal plasma. Overall (d 0 to 24), pigs fed irradiated spray-dried animal plasma were heavier (P < 0.05) than pigs fed no animal plasma, whereas pigs fed nonirradiated spray-dried plasma were intermediate. In Exp. 2, 325 barrows and gilts (initial BW 5.8 +/- 1.7 kg) were used to compare the effects of irradiation or formaldehyde treatment of animal plasma and formaldehyde treatment of the whole diet. Pigs fed diets containing irradiated animal plasma had greater ADG (P < 0.05) than pigs fed nonirradiated plasma. Pigs fed formaldehyde-treated plasma had greater ADG and ADFI (P < 0.05) than pigs fed diets with either nonirradiated plasma or whole diet treated with formaldehyde. In Exp. 3 (360 barrows and gilts; initial BW 6.3 +/- 2.7 kg) and Exp. 4 (175 barrows and gilts; initial BW 6.1 +/- 1.7 kg), the irradiation of feed (high bacteria) and food-grade (low bacteria) animal plasma in nursery pig diets was examined. Pigs fed irradiated feed-grade plasma Product 2 had increased ADG (P < 0.05) compared with pigs fed nonirradiated plasma Product 2 and pigs fed the control diet without plasma. In Exp. 3 and 4, pigs fed irradiated food-grade plasma had growth performance similar to pigs fed nonirradiated food-grade plasma (P > 0.12). These studies indicate that bacterial reduction of feed-grade, but not food-grade animal plasma, improves nursery pig performance.

Animal Feed↗

Increasing weaning age improves pig performance in a multisite production system.

Two trials were conducted to determine the effects of weaning age on pig performance in a multisite production system. The second trial also evaluated the effects of modifying the nursery feeding program according to weaning age. In Trial 1 (2,272 pigs), treatments included weaning litters at 12, 15, 18, or 21 d of age. In Trial 2 (3,456 pigs), litters were weaned at 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, or 22 d of age and categorized into three treatments (15.5, 18.5, or 21.5 d of age). In Trial 2, pigs in each age group were fed one of two nursery feeding programs. Nursery feeding programs varied in both diet formulation and in the quantity of diets fed containing increased levels of whey and spray-dried animal plasma. Each trial was conducted as a randomized complete block design with four blocks of nursery and finishing sites. All weaning-age treatments were weaned from a 7,300-sow farm on the same day into the same nursery. Each block remained intact as pigs moved from nursery to finishing site. Increasing weaning age (12, 15, 18, or 21 d in Trials 1; and 15.5, 18.5, or 21.5 d in Trial 2) increased (linear, P < 0.001) ADG (299, 368, 409, 474 +/- 7 g/d; 435, 482, 525 +/- 13 g/d) and tended to decrease (linear, P < 0.09) mortality (5.25, 2.82, 2.11, 0.54 +/- 0.76%; 2.17, 1.56, 1.30 +/- 0.36%) in the initial 42 d after weaning. Finishing ADG (722, 728, 736, 768 +/- 11 g/d; 783, 790, 805 +/- 11 g/d) also improved (linear, P < 0.01) with increasing weaning age. Overall, increasing weaning age increased (linear, P < 0.001) wean-to-finish ADG (580, 616, 637, 687 +/- 8 g/d; 676, 697, 722 +/- 6 g/d), weight sold per pig weaned (94.1, 100.5, 104.4, 113.1 +/- 1.3 kg; 107.6, 111.6, 116.2 +/- 1.1 kg), and decreased (linear, P < 0.03) mortality rate (9.4, 7.9, 6.8, 3.6 +/- 0.95%; 3.9, 3.4, 2.5 +/- 0.5%). Altering the nursery feeding program did not affect wean-to-finish growth performance. In this multisite production system, increasing weaning age from 12 to 21.5 d of age increased weight sold per pig weaned by 1.80 +/- 0.12 kg for each day increase in weaning age. These studies suggest increasing weaning age up to 21.5 d can be an effective management strategy to improve wean-to-finish growth performance in multisite pig production.

Age Factors↗

Influence of Carnichrome on the energy balance of gestating sows.

Twelve multiparous sows with an average initial weight of 182 kg were used in a randomized complete block design to determine the effects of feeding Carnichrome (50 mg of carnitine and 200 microg of chromium picolinate per kilogram of feed, as fed) on energy and nitrogen utilization in early, mid-, and late gestation. All sows were fed a diet with or without Carnichrome for the preceding 28-d lactation, the weaning-to-estrus period, and for the duration of gestation. Daily feeding allowances over pregnancy were based on calculated energy and nutrient requirements to achieve a target sow maternal weight gain of 20 kg and remained constant throughout gestation. Heat production (HP) and its partitioning (activity, thermic effect of feeding short term [TEFst], basal) were determined in early (wk 5 or 6), mid- (wk 9 or 10), and late (wk 14 or 15) pregnancy using indirect calorimetry. Net maternal weight gain and total number of fetuses averaged 21.6 kg and 16.4, respectively. Organic matter and energy digestibility for the Carnichrome diet was greater (P < 0.05), which resulted in greater DE and ME contents (0.6%, P < 0.05) compared with the control diet. The digestibility coefficient of energy in the current experiment for a typical corn and soybean meal diet (92%) was greater than that predicted from DE values of corn and soybean meal in feeding tables (88%). Carnichrome had no effect on total HP, energy retained as protein or lipid, and maternal energy retention in early, mid-, or late gestation. Heat production in late gestation increased linearly (4.0 kJ/[kg BW0.75 x d]) for each additional day from d 90 to 110, despite the reduction of ME intake per unit of BW0.75. Metabolizable energy requirement for maintenance was 405 kJ/(kg BW0.75 x d). On average, activity HP was 116 kJ/(kg BW0.75 x d), which was equivalent to 20% of ME intake; however, this value ranged from 11 to 37% between sows, which corresponds to duration of standing ranging from 210 to 490 min/d. Energy cost of standing activity averaged 0.30 kJ/(kg BW0.75 x min). In conclusion, Carnichrome had no effect on the components of heat production and maternal weight gain during gestation, although it improved energy and organic matter digestibility of the diet.

Animals↗

The effects of poultry meal source and ash level on nursery pig performance.

Weanling pigs (total of 560) were used in two experiments to determine the effects of poultry meal in nursery diets on pig performance. In Exp. 1,210 barrows and gilts (initially 7.4 kg and 21 +/- 2 d of age) were fed one of five diets, which included a control diet with no specialty protein products or (as-fed basis) the control with 2.5 or 5.0% fish meal, or 2.9 or 5.9% poultry meal (11.8% ash). Poultry meal replaced fish meal on an equal lysine basis. Overall (d 0 to 28), pigs fed diets containing fish meal had greater (P < 0.01) ADG than pigs fed poultry meal. Increasing fish meal tended to have increased (quadratic, P < 0.07) ADG, with the greatest improvement observed in pigs fed the diet containing 2.5% fish meal. Pigs fed diets containing fish meal had improved (P < 0.01) G:F compared with pigs fed diets containing poultry meal. In Exp. 2, a total of 350 barrows and gilts (initially 8.9 kg and 22 +/- 2 d of age) were fed one of seven experimental diets, which included a control diet with no specialty protein products, or the control with 2.5 or 5.0% fish meal, 2.9 or 5.8% low-ash (10.9%) poultry meal, and 3.1 or 6.2% high-ash (13.5%) poultry meal. Poultry meal replaced fish meal on an equal lysine basis. Overall (d 0 to 15), there were no differences in ADG and ADFI (P = 0.14); however, pigs fed diets containing fish meal or poultry meal had improved (linear, P < 0.01) G:F compared with pigs fed the control diet. Pigs fed diets containing low-ash poultry meal had greater (P < 0.01) G:F compared with pigs fed diets containing high-ash poultry meal. Based on these data, quality control specifications, such as ash content, need to be considered when using poultry meal as an animal protein replacement in diets for nursery pigs.

Animal Feed↗

Effects of blood meal pH and irradiation on nursery pig performance.

A total of 720 nursery pigs in three experiments were used to evaluate the effects of blood meal with different pH (a result of predrying storage time) and irradiation of spray-dried blood meal in nursery pig diets. In Exp. 1, 240 barrows and gilts (17 +/- 2 d of age at weaning) were used to determine the effects of blood meal pH (7.4 to 5.9) in diets fed from d 10 to 31 postweaning (7.0 to 16.3 kg of BW). Different lots of dried blood meal were sampled to provide a range in pH. Overall (d 0 to 21), pigs fed diets containing blood meal had greater ADG (P < 0.05) and ADFI (P < 0.05) than pigs fed diets without blood meal. Ammonia concentrations in blood meal rose as pH decreased. However, blood meal pH did not influence (P > 0.16) ADG, ADFI, or gain:feed (G:F). In Exp. 2, 180 barrows (17 +/- 2 d of age at weaning) were used to determine the effects of post drying pH (7.6 to 5.9) and irradiation (gamma ray, 9.5 kGy) of blood meal on growth performance of nursery pigs from d 5 to 19 postweaning (6.8 to 10.1 kg of BW). One lot of whole blood was isolated with 25% of the total lot dried on d 0, 3, 8, and 12 after collection to create a range in pH. Overall, pigs fed blood meal had improved G:F (P < 0.01) compared to pigs fed the control diet. Similar to Exp. 1, the ammonia concentration of blood meal increased with decreasing pH. Blood meal pH did not influence ADG, ADFI, or G:F (P > 0.21), but pigs fed irradiated blood meal (pH 5.9) had greater ADG and G:F (P < 0.05) than pigs fed nonirradiated blood meal (pH 5.9). In Exp. 3, 300 barrows (17 +/- 6 d of age at weaning) were used to determine the effects of blood meal irradiation source (gamma ray vs. electron beam) and dosage (2.5 to 20.0 kGy) on growth performance of nursery pigs from d 4 to 18 postweaning (8.7 to 13.2 kg of BW). Overall, the mean of all pigs fed blood meal did not differ in ADG, ADFI, or G:F (P > 0.26) compared to pigs fed the control diet without blood meal. Pigs fed irradiated blood meal had a tendency (P < 0.10) for increased G:F compared with pigs fed nonirradiated blood meal. No differences in growth performance were detected between pigs fed blood meal irradiated by either gamma ray or electron beam sources (P > 0.26) or dosage levels (P > 0.11). These studies suggest that pH alone as an indicator of blood meal quality is not effective and irradiation of blood meal improved growth performance in nursery pigs.

Animal Feed↗

Effect of irradiation of individual feed ingredients and the complete diet on nursery pig performance.

A total of 1,210 nursery pigs was used in two experiments to evaluate the effects of irradiation of typical nursery diet ingredients, specialty protein products, and the whole diet on nursery pig performance. In Exp. 1, 880 barrows and gilts (15 +/- 2 d of age at weaning) were used in two growth trials (14 d and 12 d for Trials 1 and 2, respectively) to determine the effects of individual ingredient and whole-diet irradiation on nursery pig performance. Overall (d 0 to 14 of Trial 1 and d 0 to 12 of Trial 2), ADG was greater (P < 0.05) for pigs fed irradiated animal plasma compared with pigs fed the control, the diet containing irradiated microingredients, and the diet that was manufactured and irradiated. Also, pigs fed irradiated soybean meal had greater (P < 0.05) ADFI compared with pigs fed the manufactured diet that was irradiated. Pigs fed the diet containing irradiated animal plasma had improved feed efficiency (G:F; P < 0.05) compared with those fed the diet with irradiated microingredients and when all ingredients were irradiated before manufacturing of complete feed. Finally, pigs fed irradiated corn, whey, fishmeal, soybean oil, microingredients, or if all ingredients or the whole diet were irradiated, had similar ADG, ADFI, and G:F (P > 0.12) to control pigs. In Exp. 2, 330 nursery pigs (20 +/- 2 d of age at weaning) were used to determine the effects of irradiation of commercially available specialty protein products in diets for nursery pigs. Overall, ADG was greater (P < 0.05) when pigs were fed diets containing nonirradiated spray-dried animal plasma and egg combination (SDAPE) and dried porcine digest (DPD) compared with pigs fed the control diet containing no specialty protein products. In addition, G:F was improved (P < 0.05) when pigs were fed diets containing nonirradiated SDAPE, DPD, spray-dried beef muscle (SDBM), and spray-dried whole egg (SDWE) compared with pigs fed the control diet. Pigs fed irradiated SDAPE and SDBM had greater (P < 0.05) ADG than pigs fed the nonirradiated forms. Pigs fed irradiated SDBM had improved (P < 0.05) G:F compared with pigs fed the nonirradiated form. In Exp. 1 and 2, an irradiation treatment level of 8.5 kGy was effective in reducing the total bacterial concentration of all ingredients evaluated, as well as the whole diet in Exp.1. Irradiation of certain ingredients, but not the complete diet, increased growth performance of nursery pigs.

Animal Feed↗

Evaluating processing temperature and feeding value of extruded-expelled soybean meal on nursery and finishing pig growth performance.

We conducted two experiments comparing the use of extruded-expelled soybean meal (EESoy) to solvent-extracted soybean meal (SBM) in swine diets. In Exp. 1, the objective was to determine the optimal processing temperature of EESoy for nursery pig growth performance. Pigs (n = 330, 13.2 +/- 2.3 kg of BW) were fed a control diet containing SBM with added fat or one of five diets containing EESoy extruded at 143.3, 148.9, 154.4, 160.0, or 165.6 degrees C. All diets were formulated on an equal apparent digestible lysine:ME ratio. From d 0 to 20, no differences were observed (P > 0.32) in ADG or ADFI (average of 544 and 924 g/d, respectively). However, gain:feed ratio (G/F) improved (quadratic, P < 0.01, range of 0.56 to 0.60) with increasing processing temperature, with the greatest improvement at 148.9 degrees C. In Exp. 2, the objective was to determine the feeding value of EESoy relative to SBM with or without added fat for growing-finishing pigs in a commercial production facility. A total of 1,200 gilts (initially 24.5 +/- 5.1 kg of BW) was used, with 25 pigs per pen and eight replications per treatment. Dietary treatments were arranged in a 2 x 3 factorial, with two sources of soybean meal (SBM or EESoy) and three levels of added fat. Pigs were phase-fed four diets over the experimental period and added fat (choice white grease) levels were 0, 3.4, and 7% initially, with the added fat levels decreasing in the next three dietary phases. Energy levels were based such that the higher energy in EESoy (with or without added fat) was calculated to be equal to that provided by SBM with added fat. From 24.5 to 61.2 kg, pigs fed EESoy had greater (P < 0.07) G/F than those fed SBM. Increasing added fat in either EESoy- or SBM-based diets increased G/F (linear, P < 0.0003). From 61.2 to 122.5 kg, ADG and G/F were unaffected in pigs fed EESoy and/or increasing added fat (P > 0.10). For the overall growing-finishing period, ADG was unaffected (P > 0.61) by increasing energy density of the diet; however, ADFI decreased (P < 0.05) and G/F increased (P < 0.02, range of 0.37 to 0.40) as energy density increased with either EESoy or added fat. Carcass leanness was not affected by dietary treatment. These results indicate that EESoy should be extruded at 148.9 to 154.4 degrees C, and that increasing dietary energy density by using EESoy and/or added fat improves feed efficiency in finishing pigs reared in a commercial environment.

Animal Feed↗

Effects of soybean meal particle size on growth performance of nursery pigs.

We used 360 nursery pigs (35 +/- 3 d of age) in two 21-d growth assays to determine the effects of soybean meal particle size on growth performance. In both trials, there were six pigs per pen and 10 pens per treatment. Pigs were weaned on d 21 and fed the same phase I diet for 7 d after weaning, followed by a phase II diet from d 7 to 14. On d 14, all pigs were weighed and randomly allotted to one of three dietary treatments. Experimental diets contained 61.9% corn, 34.4% soybean meal, and 3.7% vitamins and minerals. In Exp. 1, 90 barrows and 90 gilts (9.2 +/- 2.3 kg BW) were fed diets containing extruded-expelled soybean meal ground to 965, 742, or 639 microm, which resulted in whole-diet particle sizes of 728, 719, and 697 microm, respectively. Reducing extruded-expelled soybean meal particle size from 965 or 742 to 639 microm in the diet did not affect (P > 0.10) ADG (541, 538, and 542 g/d), ADFI (886, 875, and 855 g/d; as-fed basis), or gain:feed ratio (0.61, 0.61, 0.64), respectively. In Exp. 2, 90 barrows and 90 gilts (9.9 +/- 2.6 kg BW) were fed diets containing solvent-extracted soybean meal ground to 1,226, 797, or 444 microm, which resulted in whole-diet particle sizes of 732, 681, and 629 microns, respectively. Like Exp. 1, reducing particle size of solvent-extracted soybean meal did not affect (P > 0.10) ADG (482, 487, and 484 g/d), ADFI (738, 742, and 736 g/d; as-fed), or gain:feed (0.65, 0.65, and 0.65). Reducing particle size of extruded-expelled soybean meal or solvent-extracted soybean meal increased the angle of repose (maximum degree at which a pile of material retains its slope), indicating that as particle size decreased, flowability characteristics decreased. However, the angle of repose of the complete diets was greater than that for the soybean meals, which indicates that decreasing the particle size of soybean meal had minimal effects on flow characteristics of the complete diet. Previous research has shown that decreasing grain particle size improves digestibility and feed efficiency, and decreased soybean meal particle size has resulted in improved amino acid digestibility. However, the results of our experiments suggest decreasing particle size of either extruded-expelled soybean meal or solvent-extracted soybean meal does not affect nursery pig growth performance.

Animal Feed↗

Effects of increasing dietary L-carnitine on growth performance of weanling pigs.

Four experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementing graded levels (0 to 100 ppm) of L-carnitine to the diet of weanling pigs on growth performance during a 34- to 38-d experimental period. A fifth experiment was conducted to determine the effects of addition of L-carnitine to diets with or without added soybean oil (SBO) on growth performance. In Exp. 1, 128 pigs (initial BW = 5.5 kg) were allotted to four dietary treatments (six pens per treatment of four to six pigs per pen). Dietary treatments were a control diet containing no added L-carnitine and the control diet with 25, 50, or 100 ppm of added L-carnitine. In Exp. 2, 3, and 4, pigs (4.8 to 5.6 kg of BW) were allotted to five dietary treatments consisting of either a control diet containing no added L-carnitine or the control diet with 25, 50, 75, or 100 ppm of added L-carnitine. All diets in Exp. 1 to 4 contained added soybean oil (4 to 6%). There were seven pens per treatment (four to five pigs per pen) in Exp. 2, whereas Exp. 3 and 4 had five and six pens/treatment (eight pigs per pen), respectively. In general, dietary carnitine additions had only minor effects on growth performance during Phases 1 and 3; however, dietary L-carnitine increased (linear [Exp. 1], quadratic [Exp. 2 to 4], P < 0.03) ADG and gain:feed (G:F) during Phase 2. The improvements in growth performance during Phase 2 were of great enough magnitude that carnitine addition tended to increase ADG (linear, P < 0.10) and improve G:F (quadratic, P < 0.02) for the entire 38-d period. In Exp. 5, 216 weanling pigs (5.8 kg of BW) were allotted (12 pens/treatment of four to five pigs per pen) to four dietary treatments. The four dietary treatments were arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial with main effects of added SBO (0 or 5%) and added L-carnitine (0 or 50 ppm). Pigs fed SBO tended (P < 0.07) to grow more slowly and consumed less feed compared with those not fed SBO, but G:F was improved (P < 0.02). The addition of L-carnitine did not affect (P > 0.10) ADG or ADFI; however, it improved (P < 0.03) G:F. Also, the increase in G:F associated with L-carnitine tended to be more pronounced for pigs fed SBO than those not fed SBO (carnitine x SBO, P < 0.10). These results suggest that the addition of 50 to 100 ppm of added L-carnitine to the diet improved growth performance of weanling pigs. In addition, supplemental L-carnitine tended to be more effective when SBO was provided in the diet.

Aging↗

Comparison of spray-dried blood meal and blood cells in diets for nursery pigs.

We used a total of 680 pigs to compare spray-dried blood meal and blood cells in nursery diets. In Exp. 1, 350 barrows (17 +/- 2 d of age at weaning) were used to compare three levels of spray-dried blood meal or blood cells (2.5, 5.0, and 7.5%) in the diet fed from d 5 to 19 postweaning (6.6 to 9.9 kg). Inclusion of either blood product improved ADG (P < 0.005) and G:F (P < 0.001) compared to pigs fed the control diet without added blood products. However, pigs fed spray-dried blood meal had greater ADG (P < 0.001), ADFI (P < 0.04), and G:F (P < 0.001) from d 0 to 7 compared to those fed blood cells. The greatest differences observed between the two blood products occurred at the 5 and 7.5% inclusion levels. No differences (P > 0.05) in growth performance were detected between the two blood products from d 7 to 14. In Exp. 2, 380 barrows (initial BW of 10.7 kg and 41 +/- 2 d of age) were used to determine lysine bioavailability of spray-dried blood meal and blood cells via the slope ratio procedure. With G:F ratio as the response criterion, blood meal and blood cells had similar lysine bioavailability relative to crystalline lysine. These experiments indicate that both blood products had similar lysine bioavailability, and that pigs fed spray-dried blood meal had greater performance during the initial 7 d (d 5 to 12 after weaning). However, as the pigs became heavier, there were no differences observed in performance of pigs fed either blood meal or blood cells.

Animal Feed↗