scholarly journals The effect of feed form and delivery method on feed microbiology and growth performance in grow-finisher pigs

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona M O’Meara ◽  
Gillian E Gardiner ◽  
John V O’Doherty ◽  
Peadar G Lawlor

Abstract There is no generally accepted optimal feed form and delivery method for feeding finisher pigs. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of feed form (meal and pellet) and delivery method (liquid, dry, and wet/dry) on feed microbiology and growth, gain-to-feed ratio (G:F), and carcass quality of finisher pigs. Two batches of pigs were used, each with six pen replicates per treatment. In each batch 216 pigs (32.7 kg; ± 0.48 SE) housed in same-sex (entire male or female) pens of six pigs per pen were on treatment for ~62 d prior to slaughter. The experiment was a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement with two factors for diet form (meal and pellets) and three factors for feed delivery (dry, wet/dry, liquid). The treatments were 1) meal from dry feeder, 2) meal from wet/dry feeder, 3) meal from liquid system, 4) pellet from dry feeder, 5) pellet from wet/dry feeder, and 6) pellet from liquid system. Pig growth performance was determined, blood samples collected at slaughter for hematological analysis and microbiological and proximate analysis of feed performed. A significant feed form × delivery interaction was found for G:F. During the overall period G:F was 0.446, 0.433, 0.423, 0.474, 0.459, and 0.418 g/g (SE = 0.0080; P < 0.01) for treatments 1 through 6, respectively. When feed was pelleted, G:F was improved when feed delivery was dry or wet/dry compared to meal but when the delivery was liquid, pelleting did not affect G:F. There were no interactive effects for overall average daily gain (ADG). Overall ADG was 1,114 and 1,156 g/d (SE = 16.9; P < 0.01) for pigs fed diets in meal and pellet form, respectively and 1,080, 1,114, and 1,210 g/d (SE = 18.4; P < 0.001) for dry-, wet/dry-, and liquid-fed pigs, respectively. Carcass weight was 76.6 and 79.0 kg (SE = 0.55; P < 0.001) for pigs fed in meal and pellet form, respectively, while it was 74.7, 77.3, and 81.5 kg (SE = 0.60; P < 0.001) for pigs delivered dry, wet/dry, and liquid diets, respectively. Lactic acid bacteria (P < 0.05) and yeast (P < 0.01) counts in troughs were greater for the liquid than the dry diet in both meal and pelleted form. There was also evidence of lysine degradation in the liquid diet but this did not impact pig growth. Feeding the diet in pelleted vs. meal form led to lower hemoglobin and greater white blood cell and neutrophil counts (P < 0.05). To conclude, wet/dry feeding of a pelleted diet is recommended to maximize growth rate while optimizing G:F in grow-finisher pigs.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 742-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrique S Cemin ◽  
Corey B Carpenter ◽  
Jason C Woodworth ◽  
Mike D Tokach ◽  
Steve S Dritz ◽  
...  

Abstract An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of added Zn source and level on growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs. A total of 1,980 pigs divided into 2 groups [group 1: 1,008 pigs, TR4 × (Fast Large White × PIC L02) and group 2: 972 pigs, PIC 337 × 1,050], initially 33.3 kg, were used in a 103- or 114-d growth trial in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 3 factorial with 2 sources of added Zn, Zn hydroxychloride (ZnHyd; IntelliBond Z, Micronutrients, Indianapolis, IN) or Zn sulfate (ZnSO4), and 3 levels of added Zn (50, 100, or 150 mg/kg). Diets contained a vitamin-trace mineral premix without added Zn and provided 76 and 162 mg/kg Fe and Cu, respectively. All diets contained 750 FTU/kg phytase. There was a total of 14 replicates per treatment. Pens of pigs were weighed approximately every 2 wk to determine average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake, and gain-to-feed ratio. At the end of the experiment, pigs were transported to a packing plant to determine hot carcass weight (HCW), backfat depth, loin depth, and lean percentage. Overall, there was no evidence (P > 0.10) for interactive effects of added Zn source and level for growth performance and carcass characteristics. Pigs fed diets with increasing added Zn had a tendency (P = 0.093) for a quadratic response in ADG, with the greatest ADG observed at 100 mg/kg added Zn. There was a linear improvement (P = 0.010) in carcass yield and a quadratic response (P = 0.045) in HCW, with pigs fed 100 mg/kg added Zn having the highest HCW. Pigs fed diets with ZnHyd had improved (P = 0.017) carcass yield and a tendency (P = 0.058) for greater HCW compared with pigs fed ZnSO4. In summary, under the commercial conditions of the study and with diets containing 750 FTU/kg phytase, there were relatively small improvements in ADG of growing-finishing pigs fed added Zn beyond 50 mg/kg. Providing higher levels of added Zn improved carcass characteristics. Zinc source did not influence growth performance, but ZnHyd improved carcass characteristics compared with ZnSO4.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 71-71
Author(s):  
Hadley Williams ◽  
Mike D Tokach ◽  
Jason C Woodworth ◽  
Robert D Goodband ◽  
Joel M DeRouchey ◽  
...  

Abstract Previous research has indicated that starch gelatinization during the pelleting process is greater for Enogen® Feed corn compared to conventional yellow dent corn. Increasing starch gelatinization in the pellet increases the starch digestibility in the pig, which potentially leads to increased growth rate. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of feeding Enogen Feed corn in meal or pellet form on finishing pig growth performance and carcass characteristics. A total of 288 pigs (53.0 ± 0.5 kg) were used with 8 pigs/pen and 9 pens/treatment in a 72-d study. Treatments were arranged in a 2×2 factorial with main effects of corn source (Enogen Feed corn or conventional yellow dent corn) and diet form (meal or pellet). Main effects of corn source and diet form as well as their interactions were tested. Pelleting parameters were established with a target conditioner temperature of 82.2°C and corn moisture of 13 to 14%. When pelleting the diets, the conditioning temperature for conventional yellow dent corn averaged 68.4°C and Enogen Feed corn averaged 67.7°C. The hot pellet temperature for conventional yellow dent corn averaged 75.1°C and 75.8°C for Enogen feed corn. For overall performance (d 0 to 72), no interactions between corn source and diet form were observed (P > 0.05). There was a tendency (P < 0.10) for slightly improved average daily gain (ADG) and gain:feed ratio (G:F) for pigs fed conventional yellow dent corn compared to those fed Enogen Feed corn. Pigs fed pelleted diets had increased (P < 0.001) ADG, G:F, and hot carcass weight compared to pigs fed meal diets. In summary, feeding pelleted diets to finishing pigs increased ADG and G:F compared to those fed meal-based diets. There were no major differences observed between corn sources or interactions between corn source and diet form on growth performance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 193-195
Author(s):  
Vetriselvi Sampath ◽  
Hyun Ju Park ◽  
Yong min Kim ◽  
Je Min Ahn ◽  
Inho Kim

Abstract BACKGROUND: A total of one hundred and forty, 28 d-old weaner pigs [Duroc x (Yorkshire x Landrace)] with initial body weight (BW) of 6.56±1.25kg were used in a six-week treatment (7 replicate pens per treatment; barrows, and 2 gilts/pen) to evaluate the effect of low nutrient density diet supplement with probiotic mixture supplementation on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbial, and gas emission of weaner pigs. RESULTS: Pigs fed low-density diet with probiotic mixture supplementation had linearly increased (P = 0.028, 0.014) the body weight (BW) at weeks 3, and 6. Moreover, average daily gain (ADG) was linearly improved (P=0.018, 0.014, 0.014) at week 3, 6, and overall experiment. However, there were no interactive effects found on the nutrient digestibility of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N) and energy (E) throughout the experiment. Dietary inclusion of low-density diet with probiotic mixture supplementation has improved the fecal lactobacillus counts linearly, but E. coli was unaffected during the trail. On day 42, Ammonium gas emission was significantly decrease in pigs fed a low-density diet with probiotic mixture supplementation. However, H2S, acetic acid, and CO2 were not significantly affected by the probiotic mixture supplementation diet. CONCLUSION: Low-density diet with probiotic mixture supplementation had positively affected the growth performance, fecal microbial, and fecal gas emission on weaner pigs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro H V Carvalho ◽  
Mariana F Westphalen ◽  
Jonathan A Campbell ◽  
Tara L Felix

Abstract The objectives of the study were to determine the effect of coated or noncoated hormone implants on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and serum estradiol-17β (E2) concentrations of Holstein steers fed a grain-based diet for 112 d. Seventy-nine Holstein steers [average initial body weight (BW) = 452 ± 5.5 kg] were stratified by BW and allotted to one of two treatments: 1) Holstein steers implanted with a coated implant containing 200 mg of trenbolone acetate (TBA) and 40 mg E2 (Revalor-XS (Merck Animal Health; Summit, NJ)] on day 0 (XS) or 2) Holstein steers implanted two times (days 0 and 56) with a noncoated implant containing 80 mg of TBA and 16 mg of E2 [(2IS) Revalor-IS (Merck Animal Health)]. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC). There was no effect (P ≥ 0.71) of implant strategy on initial, middle, and final BW. No effect (P ≥ 0.12) of implant strategy was observed on average daily gain, dry matter intake, or gain-to-feed ratio. There were no effects (P ≥ 0.11) of implant strategy on carcass characteristics. There was an implant × day interaction (P < 0.01) for the circulation of serum E2 concentrations. Serum E2 concentration increased similarly 14 d after Holstein steers were implanted, regardless of implant strategy. At 28 d, after steers were implanted, steers in the XS group had less serum E2 concentration than Holstein steers in the 2IS group. However, at 56 d after the first implantation, both groups, once again, had similar serum E2 concentrations and E2 concentrations were less on day 56 than day 28 for both strategies. Holstein steers implanted with 2IS had greater serum E2 concentration on day 70 and E2 concentrations remained greater than serum E2 of Holstein steers implanted XS for the duration of the trial (day 112). In summary, there was no effect of coated or two doses of noncoated implant on growth performance or carcass characteristics of Holstein steers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 100 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olufemi Oluwaseun Babatunde ◽  
Olayiwola Adeola

Abstract Two experiments were carried out to determine a time-series effect of phytase on phosphorus (P) utilization in growing and finishing pigs using growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, P excretion, and plasma concentrations of minerals as the response criteria for evaluation. In both experiments, treatments were arranged as a 3 × 4 factorial in a randomized complete block design with 3 corn–soybean meal-based diets including a P-adequate positive control (PC), a low-P negative control (NC; no inorganic P), and NC supplemented with phytase at 1,000 FYT/kg (NC + 1,000); and 4 sampling time points at days 7, 14, 21, and 28 in experiment 1, and days 14, 26, 42, and 55 in experiment 2. In both trials, 96 growing pigs with average body weight (BW) of 19.8 ± 1.16 and 49.8 ± 3.21 kg, respectively, were allocated to the 3 diets with 8 replicates pens (4 barrows and 4 gilts) and 4 pigs per pen. In experiment 1, pigs fed the PC had higher (P < 0.01) BW, average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) when compared with pigs fed the NC. There was an interaction (P < 0.01) between time and diet on the BW and ADG of pigs while a linear and quadratic increase (P < 0.01) was observed with the ADFI and G:F, respectively, over time. Phytase supplementation improved (P < 0.01) all growth performance responses. Pigs fed the PC had greater (P < 0.01) ATTD of P and Ca than pigs fed the NC. There was no interaction effect on the ATTD of nutrients. Phytase addition improved the ATTD of P and Ca over pigs fed the NC. There was an interaction (P < 0.01) between diet and time on the total and water-soluble P (WSP) excreted. There was a quadratic decrease (P < 0.01) in plasma concentration of Ca in pigs over time. In experiment 2, there was a quadratic increase (P < 0.01) in BW, ADG, and G:F of pigs over time. Similarly, the inclusion of phytase improved (P < 0.05) all growth performance parameters except ADFI. A linear increase (P < 0.05) in the ATTD of DM, P, and Ca occurred over time. Phytase inclusion improved (P < 0.01) the ATTD of P and Ca. Plasma concentrations of P were improved by phytase addition. Phytase supplementation of the NC reduced WSP excretion by 45%, 32%, and 35% over the growing, finishing, and entire grow-finish period, respectively. In conclusion, phytase improves the utilization of P in growing and finishing pigs; however, the magnitude of effect on responses may vary over time.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 65-66
Author(s):  
Woong B Kwon ◽  
Kevin J Touchette ◽  
Aude Simongiovanni ◽  
Kostas Syriopoulos ◽  
Anna Wessels ◽  
...  

Abstract The hypothesis that excess dietary Leu affects growth performance and metabolism of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) in growing pigs was tested. Forty barrows (30.0 ± 2.7 kg) were placed in metabolism crates and randomly allotted to 5 diets that contained 100, 150, 200, 250, or 300% of the requirement for standardized ileal digestible Leu. Initial and final body weight of pigs and daily feed provisions were recorded. Urine and fecal samples were collected for 5 d to measure N balance and biological value of diets. At the conclusion of the experiment, blood, brain, liver, and muscle samples were collected and average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain to feed ratio (G:F) were calculated. Orthogonal polynomial contrasts were used to determine linear and quadratic effects of increasing Leu in the diets. Results indicated that ADG, ADFI, and G:F decreased (linear, P < 0.05) as dietary Leu increased (Table 1). A trend (linear, P = 0.082) for decreased N retention and decreased (linear, P < 0.05) biological value of protein was also observed. Plasma urea N increased (linear, P < 0.05) and a quadratic reduction (P < 0.05) in plasma serotonin and a linear reduction (P < 0.05) in cerebral serotonin were observed with increasing dietary Leu. Concentrations of BCAA in liver increased (linear, P < 0.001), concentrations of BCAA in muscle decreased (linear, P < 0.05), concentration of α-keto-isovalerate was reduced (linear and quadratic, P < 0.001) in liver, muscle, and serum, and α-keto-β-methylvalerate was reduced (linear and quadratic, P < 0.001) in muscle and serum, whereas α-keto-isocaproate increased (linear, P < 0.05) in liver and muscle, and in serum (linear and quadratic, P < 0.001) with increasing dietary Leu. In conclusion, excess dietary Leu reduced growth performance and cerebral serotonin and tended to reduce protein synthesis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary K Smith ◽  
Kip Karges ◽  
Angel Aguilar

Abstract The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the influence of an active live yeast direct-fed microbial (DFM) product on receiving and backgrounding period growth performance and efficiency of dietary net energy (NE) utilization in low health risk beef steers. Maine-Anjou × Angus steers (n = 199; body weight [BW] = 252 ± 32.1 kg) were received from two sources at the Ruminant Nutrition Center in Brookings, SD, in November 2019 and used in a 77-d feedlot receiving and backgrounding experiment. Steers were provided access to long-stem hay and ad libitum water upon arrival. Steers were weighed, vaccinated for respiratory pathogens (source 2 only): infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, bovine viral diarrhea types 1 and 2, parainfluenza-3 virus, and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (Bovi-Shield Gold 5, Zoetis, Parsippany, NJ) vaccinated for clostridial species (Ultrabac 7/Somubac, Zoetis) and pour-on moxidectin (Cydectin, Bayer, Shawnee Mission, KS). Steers (n = 176 steers; initial unshrunk BW = 235 ± 27.6 kg) were allotted to pens (n = 20 pens; 10 pens per treatment; eight or nine steers per pen). Diets were based upon corn silage, dry-rolled corn, and dried distillers grains; dietary treatments were 1) no DFM (CON) and 2) DFM (Levucell SC, Advantage Titan, CNCM l-1077), fed at 10 g/steer/d providing 8 × 109 CFU of active live yeast to each steer daily (DFM). Initial BW was the average of day −1 and day 1 BW (n = 176 steers; initial BW = 253 ± 27.6 kg). On day 21, steers received a 200-mg progesterone and 20-mg estradiol benzoate implant. Data were analyzed from day 1 to 47 (receiving period), day 48 to 77, and from day 1 to 77 as a randomized complete block design; pen served as the experimental unit for all analyses. On day 47 of the experiment, DFM had greater BW (P = 0.01) by 0.9% and average daily gain (ADG; P = 0.01) by 4.2% and gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) tended (P = 0.13) to be 2.8% greater. Day 77 BW did not differ (P = 0.60), cumulative (days 1–77): ADG (P = 0.47), dry matter intake (P = 0.66), and G:F (P = 0.56) were similar. Yeast inclusion had no appreciable influence on performance-based dietary NE utilization or the ratio of observed/expected dietary NE (P ≥ 0.59). In low health risk steers, DFM improved performance during the feedlot receiving period. However, no improvements for DFM were detected for cumulative performance from day 1 to 77. The confirmation of yeast counts indicated the CFU to be above the expected level at the start of the trial but was found below expected level at the end of the trial. This may explain differences during the initial 47 d compared to cumulative growth performance results.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 355-355
Author(s):  
Jinsu Hong ◽  
Tofuko A Woyengo

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the interactive effects of dietary fiber source and lipid source on growth performance and visceral organ weights of weaned pigs. Two hundred and eighty 21 days old pigs [initial body weight (BW) = 6.84 kg] were housed in 40 pens (7 pigs/pen). The pigs were fed 4 diets (10 pens/diet) in a randomized complete block design in 2 phases, Phase 1 from day 0 to 14 and Phase 2 from day 14 to 35. The diets were corn-soybean meal-based with either sugar beet pulp (SBP) or soybean hulls (SBH) as fiber source and either soybean oil (SBO) or choice white grease (CWG) as fat source in 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. The BW and feed intake were determined by phase, whereas visceral organ weights were determined on day 35. Fiber source and fat source did not interact on growth performance and organ weights relative to BW. Pigs fed CWG-containing diets had lower (P &lt; 0.05) gain to feed ratio than those fed SBO-containing diets by 7.95% during Phase 1 of feeding. Pigs fed SBP-containing diets had lower (P &lt; 0.05) gain to feed ratio than those fed SBH-containing diets by 7.94% during Phase 1 of feeding. However, pigs fed SBP-containing diets had greater (P &lt; 0.05) stomach weight, and tended to have greater (P &lt; 0.1) heart, small intestine and large intestine weights relative to BW than those fed SBO-containing diets. In conclusion, replacement of SBH with SBP in diets for weaned pigs reduced feed efficiency and increased visceral organ weights relative to BW, implying that the replacement of SBH with SBP in diets of weaned pigs increased energy expenditure in visceral organs. Inclusion of SBO (at the expense of CWG) in diets for weaned pigs can improve feed efficiency.


Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aklilu Alemu ◽  
Atmir Romero-Pérez ◽  
Rafael Araujo ◽  
Karen Beauchemin

A long-term study (112 days) was conducted to examine the effect of feeding encapsulated nitrate (NO3−), microencapsulated blend of essential oils (EO), and their combination on growth performance, feeding behavior, and enteric methane (CH4) emissions of beef cattle. A total of 88 crossbred steers were purchased and assigned to one of four treatments: (i) control, backgrounding high-forage diet supplemented with urea (1.17% in dietary DM); (ii) encapsulated NO3− (EN), control diet supplemented with 2.5% encapsulated NO3− as a replacement for urea (1.785% NO3− in the dietary DM); (iii) microencapsulated blend of EO (MBEO), control diet supplemented with 150 mg/kg DM of microencapsulated blend of EO and pepper extract; and (iv) EN + MBEO, control diet supplemented with EN and MBEO. There was no interaction (p ≥ 0.080) between EN and MBEO on average dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), gain to feed ratio (G:F), feeding behavior, and CH4 emission (using GreenFeed system), implying independent effects of feeding EN and MBEO. Feeding MBEO increased CH4 production (165.0 versus 183.2 g/day; p = 0.005) and yield (18.9 versus 21.4 g/kg DMI; p = 0.0002) but had no effect (p ≥ 0.479) on average DMI, ADG, G:F, and feeding behavior. However, feeding EN had no effect on ADG and G:F (p ≥ 0.119) but reduced DMI (8.9 versus 8.4 kg/day; p = 0.003) and CH4 yield (21.5 versus 18.7 g/kg DMI; p < 0.001). Feeding EN slowed (p = 0.001) the feeding rate (g of DM/min) and increased (p = 0.002) meal frequency (events/day). Our results demonstrate that supplementing diets with a blend of EO did not lower CH4 emissions and there were no advantages of feeding MBEO with EN. Inclusion of EN as a replacement for urea reduced CH4 emissions but had no positive impact on animal performance.


2018 ◽  
Vol 98 (2) ◽  
pp. 347-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Cai ◽  
C.M. Nyachoti ◽  
I.H. Kim

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of rare earth element-enriched yeast (RY) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profile, and fecal microbial flora in finishing pigs. A total of 100 finishing pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] were used in a two-phase feeding trial. Pigs were randomly assigned to five treatments according to their initial body weight (five pens per treatment, two gilts and two barrows per pen). Treatments were basal diets, free of antibiotics [negative control (NC)]; NC + 500, 1000, and 1500 mg kg−1, respectively, of RY; antibiotics diets, NC + 500 mg kg−1 of tiamulin [positive control (PC)]. Overall, average daily gain (ADG) and gain to feed ratio (G:F) increased linearly with increasing level of RY in diets. At the end of the experiment, blood lymphocyte concentration and apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter and gross energy increased linearly in pigs fed the increasing level of RY in diets. The better ADG, G:F, and fecal Lactobacillus counts were observed in both RY and PC groups compared with the NC group. In conclusion, diets with RY improved growth performance, digestibility, blood lymphocyte counts, and fecal Lactobacillus counts in finishing pigs, and RY may be considered as an alternative to antibiotics.


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