scholarly journals Effects of space allowance and marketing strategy on growth performance of pigs raised to 165 kg

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 1252-1262
Author(s):  
Annie B Lerner ◽  
Emily A Rice ◽  
Mike D Tokach ◽  
Joel M DeRouchey ◽  
Steve S Dritz ◽  
...  

Abstract A total of 976 pigs (PIC 327 × Camborough; PIC, Hendersonville, TN; initially 22.0 ± 1.53 kg body weight [BW]) were used in a 160-d growth study to evaluate the effects of increasing space allowance and varying marketing strategies on growth performance of pigs raised to market weights of ~165 kg. Pens of pigs were blocked by location within the barn and allotted to one of six treatments. Pen served as the experimental unit, and there were eight replicate pens per treatment. The first four treatments consisted of increased initial stocking density and did not utilize topping strategies: (1) 14 pigs/pen (1.17 m2/pig), (2) 17 pigs/pen (0.97 m2/pig), (3) 20 pigs/pen (0.82 m2/pig), and (4) 23 pigs/pen (0.71 m2/pig). The fifth treatment began with 25 pigs/pen (0.66 m2/pig) and had four marketing events with the heaviest 3 pigs/pen removed on day 93, and additional pigs removed to a common inventory of 20 pigs/pen on day 122 and 17 pigs/pen on day 147 with final marketing on day 160. The final treatment began the experiment with 23 pigs/pen (0.71 m2/pig) with three marketing events to achieve a common inventory of 20 pigs/pen on day 108 and 17 pigs/pen on day 147. Pens of pigs were weighed and feed disappearance measured on days 0, 55, 93, 108, 122, 135, 147, and 160. As space allowance decreased from 1.17 to 0.71 m2/pig via increased initial pen inventory (treatments 1 to 4), overall average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) decreased (linear, P < 0.001), while gain:feed ratio (G:F) did not differ (P > 0.05). The treatments with multiple marketing events were compared with each other and with the treatment that began with 0.71 m2/pig and only marketed once at the end of the study. Overall ADG and ADFI were not different (P > 0.05) among these three treatments. Marketing pigs three or four times improved (P < 0.05) G:F compared with the treatment that began the study with 0.71 m2/pig and marketed only once. Reducing floor space allowance for heavy weight pigs decreased intake, which resulted in lower growth rate and final BW, with these reductions occurring before the critical k-value was reached. Total weight gain per pen was maximized with the lowest space allowance and the multiple marketing treatments. Thus, strategic use of pig removals prior to final marketing may allow producers to maximize both number of pigs and total weight marketed through a barn when feeding to heavy weights.

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 119-120
Author(s):  
Zachary K Smith ◽  
Paul Rand R Broadway ◽  
Keith Underwood ◽  
Warren C Rusche ◽  
Julie Walker ◽  
...  

Abstract Yearling beef steers (n = 238; initial BW=402 ± 31.2 kg) were used to evaluate a Bacillus subtilis probiotic on growth performance, dietary net energy (NE) utilization, carcass characteristics, and fecal and subiliac lymph node Salmonella prevalence during a 140-d finishing period. Steers were allotted to 24 pens (n = 9 to 10 steers/pen) and assigned to one of two treatments (12 pens/treatment): no probiotic (CON) or 0.50 g·steer-1·d-1 of a Bacillus subtilis PB6 probiotic (CLOSTAT® 500, Kemin Industries, Des Moines, IA; CLO). Steers were transitioned to a 90% concentrate diet (DM basis) over 14-d. Steers were fed once daily at 0700 h; bunks were managed according to a slick bunk management. Fecal samples were collected on d 1, 28, 56, 112, and 140 from each pen (n = 5 steers/pen) via rectal palpation and composited by pen for determination of Salmonella prevalence. Upon harvest, subiliac lymph nodes were obtained from 60 steers in CON and 57 steers in CLO. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design; pen was the experimental unit; α of 0.05 determined significance. No differences were detected (P ≥ 0.25) between treatments for live or carcass-adjusted average daily gain, dry matter intake, gain efficiency, dietary NE utilization, nor calculated dietary NE content based upon performance. No differences were detected between treatments for any carcass traits (P ≥ 0.15). Salmonella was not recovered in any fecal samples except on d 112, where steers from CLO had a numerically lower (P = 0.17; 8.3 vs. 25.0%) incidence of fecal Salmonella compared to CON and on d 140 fecal, where Salmonella incidence did not differ (P = 0.34; 0.0 vs. 8.3%) for CON and CLO, respectively. Salmonella was not recovered in any subiliac lymph nodes. These data indicate that CLO did not influence growth performance or Salmonella prevalence.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 152-153
Author(s):  
Aubree M Beenken ◽  
Erin L Deters ◽  
Colten W Dornbach ◽  
Stephanie L Hansen ◽  
Joshua C McCann ◽  
...  

Abstract Ninety-one early-weaned (65 ± 11 d) Angus steers (92 ± 4 kg) were blocked by age to a 2 × 2 factorial examining effects of injectable vitamin C (VC) at weaning and/or prior to transport to the feedlot on antibody titers and growth performance. Injections (20 mL/steer) of VC (250 mg sodium ascorbate/mL) or saline (SAL) were given at time of weaning on d 0 (WEAN) and/or prior to a 6 hr trucking event to a feedlot on d 49 (TRANS). Steers were given booster vaccinations on d 0. Steers were weighed on d 0, 1, 14, 48, 49, 64, 106, and 107. Blood was collected (12 steers/treatment) on d 0, 1, 2, 14, 49 (pre- and post-transit), 50, and 51. Data were analyzed via Proc-Mixed of SAS (experimental unit = steer; n = 22–23/treatment) with fixed effects of block, WEAN, TRANS, and WEAN × TRANS. Plasma ascorbate concentrations for weaning (d 0, 1, and 2) and transit (d 49-pre-trucking, 49-post-trucking, 50, and 51) were analyzed as repeated measures (repeated effect = day). Plasma ascorbate concentrations were greater on d 1 and 2 for steers that received VC at weaning (VC = 19.6, SAL = 8.8 ± 1.26 µM; WEAN × day P < 0.01). Similarly, ascorbate concentrations were greater on d 49 post-trucking, 50, and 51 for steers that received VC pre-transit (TRANS × day P = 0.01). Treatments did not affect bodyweight or average daily gain throughout the trial (P > 0.32). There were no effects of treatment on serum Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus type 2 antibody titers on d 14 or 51 (P > 0.33). An injection of VC administered to early weaned beef steers at weaning or pre-transit increases plasma ascorbate concentrations but does not improve growth performance or antibody response to vaccination booster.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Warren C Rusche ◽  
Julie Ann Walker ◽  
Peter Sexton ◽  
Rebecca S Brattain ◽  
Zachary K Smith

Abstract Crossbred beef steers with a high percentage of Angus ancestry [n = 240, initial shrunk body weight (BW), 404 ± 18.5 kg] were used in a 117-d feedlot experiment to evaluate the effect of hybrid rye (Rye; KWS Cereals USA, LLC, Champaign, IL) as a replacement for dry-rolled corn (DRC) on growth performance, carcass traits, and comparative net energy (NE) value in diets fed to finishing steers. Rye from a single hybrid (KWS Bono) with an ergot alkaloid concentration of 392 ppb was processed with a roller mill to a processing index (PI) of 78.8 ± 2.29. Four treatments were used in a completely randomized design (n = 6 pens/treatment; 10 steers/pen), where DRC (PI = 86.9 ± 4.19) was replaced by varying proportions of Rye [DRC:Rye, dry matter (DM) basis (60:0), (40:20), (20:40), and (0:60)]. Liver abscess scores and carcass characteristics were collected at the abattoir. Carcass-adjusted performance was calculated from hot carcass weight (HCW)/0.625. Performance-adjusted NE was calculated using carcass-adjusted average daily gain (ADG), DM intake (DMI), and mean equivalent shrunk BW with the comparative NE values for rye calculated using the replacement technique. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS 9.4 (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC) with pen as the experimental unit. Treatment effects were tested using linear and quadratic contrasts, as well as between diets with and without Rye. Replacing DRC with Rye linearly decreased (P ≤ 0.01) carcass-adjusted final BW, ADG, DMI, and gain:feed (G:F). Feeding rye linearly decreased HCW and longissimus muscle area (P ≤ 0.04). Distributions of liver scores and USDA grades for quality and yield were unaffected by treatment (P ≥ 0.09). Estimated replacement NE for maintenance (NEm) and gain (NEg) values for rye, when included at 60% of diet DM, were 1.90 and 1.25 Mcal/kg, respectively. Rye can be a suitable feed ingredient in finishing diets for feedlot steers. Estimated replacement values of Rye when fed at 60% of diet DM closely agreed with current tabular standards but, when included at 20% of diet DM, estimated NEm and NEg values of Rye were increased 9.5% and 12.8%, respectively. Net energy value of Rye for gain is approximately 84% compared to DRC; thus, the complete replacement of DRC with Rye depressed DMI, ADG, G:F, and carcass weight.


2020 ◽  
Vol 100 (3) ◽  
pp. 462-469
Author(s):  
J.H. Cho ◽  
S.D. Liu ◽  
I.H. Kim

A total of 150 crossbred pigs [(Duroc × Yorkshire) × Landrace; body weight (BW) = 5.74 ± 1.15 kg; weaned at day 21 after birth] were assigned to one of five dietary treatments (six pens per treatment and five pigs per pen) by BW and sex (two barrows and three gilts) for a 6 wk experiment. The pen was considered the experimental unit in the statistical model. Treatments were corn–soybean meal diets supplemented with 0.0033% tiamulin as well as 0%, 0.05%, 0.10%, or 0.20% fermented garlic (FG). The average daily gain, average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed conversion ratio were linearly (p < 0.05) increased by FG inclusion during days 21–42 and days 0–42. Dietary supplementation of FG linearly increased (p < 0.05) the coefficient of apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen, and gross energy as well as blood immunoglobulin G concentration during week 6. The fecal ammonia (NH3), total mercaptan emissions, and Escherichia coli counts were linearly (p < 0.05) reduced by FG in the diet. Dietary supplementation of FG increased (p < 0.05) ADFI during days 21–42 and days 0–42 and reduced (p < 0.05) fecal NH3 emissions compared with pigs fed tiamulin. In conclusion, the results indicate that FG can enhance growth performance and digestibility, and reduce fecal E. coli counts as well as fecal gas emissions in weanling pigs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 223-224
Author(s):  
Arnaud Samson ◽  
Claire Launay ◽  
Francesc Payola ◽  
Eric Schetelat ◽  
Hervé Fortune

Abstract Reducing dietary crude protein (CP) with synthetic amino acids (AA) supplementation is beneficial for sustainable swine industry. However some discrepancies regarding the consequences on growth performance are observed. Therefore, this trial aimed to assess the effect of dietary CP level on growth performance of pigs from 35 to 113 kg BW. Growth performance of 63 pigs fed ad libitum and allocated to three groups (HH, MM and LL) was compared. Each group received one level of CP (‘H’ for High, ‘M’ for Medium and ‘L’ for Low) during growing (d0–d35) and finishing (d35–slaugther day) periods: 15.1%, 16.2%, 17.2% and 13.0%, 14.0%, 15.1% respectively. Diets were mostly based on wheat, corn and soybean meal. Within each feeding phase, diets were formulated to be similar in apparent total tract digestible phosphorus, net energy and standardized ileal digestible (SID) essential AA, the SID Lys levels being 0.95% and 0.78% during the growing and finishing period respectively. Data were analyzed using a linear model (R, 3.1.2) with individual as the experimental unit as feed intake, body weight and carcass grading were individually recorded. From d0 to d14 and from d35 to d63, average daily gain (ADG) and Growth:Feed ratio (G:F) were significantly reduced as the CP level decreased (P < 0.05) while average daily feed intake (ADFI) remained unaffected by the dietary treatments. From d14 to d35 and in late finishing period (d63-slaugther day), growth performance was not significantly affected by the dietary CP level. Over the 82-d of the experiment, G:F was significantly higher for ‘HH’ pigs (P < 0.01). Overall, ADG tended to be reduced as CP levels decreased (P = 0.10). There was no difference among treatments for parameters concerning carcass grading (lean meat percentage and meat yield). In conclusion, reducing CP levels while maintaining essential AA levels impaired growth performances of pigs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 156-157
Author(s):  
Annie B Lerner ◽  
Mike D Tokach ◽  
Joel M DeRouchey ◽  
Steve S Dritz ◽  
Robert D Goodband ◽  
...  

Abstract A total of 976 pigs (PIC 327×L42, initially 22 ± 1.5 kg BW) were used in a 160-d study to determine the influence of space allowance and marketing strategy on performance of pigs raised to heavy market weights (165 kg). Pens were blocked by location and allotted to 1 of 6 treatments with 8 pens/treatment. The first four treatments reduced space allowance/pig via initial pen stocking density: 14 pigs/pen (1.20 m2/pig), 17 pigs/pen (0.98 m2/pig), 20 pigs/pen (0.84 m2/pig), or 23 pigs/pen (0.73 m2/pig). The fifth treatment began with 25 pigs/pen (0.67 m2/pig) and the heaviest 3 pigs/pen were removed on d 93, then on d 122 pens were marketed to a common inventory of 20 pigs/pen, and on d 147 marketed to a common pen inventory of 17 pigs/pen. The sixth treatment began with 23 pigs/pen (0.73 m2/pig) and were marketed to a common inventory of 20 pigs/pen on d 108 and marketed to a common inventory of 17 pigs/pen on d 147. Data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX with pen as the experimental unit. Overall (d 0 to 160) ADG, ADFI, and final BW decreased (linear, P < 0.001) and G:F increased (quadratic, P = 0.042) as space allowance decreased. When comparing treatments with multiple marketing events (treatments 5 and 6) to treatment 4, there was no evidence for differences (P > 0.05) for overall ADG or ADFI; however, overall G:F was improved (P < 0.05) for pigs initially stocked at 0.67 m2/pig and marketed four times compared to both treatments that initially allowed 0.73 m2/pig, regardless of marketing structure. These results indicate that decreasing space allowance of heavy weight pigs reduces growth, feed intake and final BW, although use of multiple marketing events prior to final marketing may allow for increased number of pigs marketed/pen while balancing reduced growth performance often associated with increased stocking density. http://www.conferenceharvester.com/


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.


2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 1502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Musharraf Ahmad Anjum ◽  
Shaukat Ali Bhatti ◽  
Muhammad Sarwar ◽  
Ghulam Muhammad ◽  
Muhammad Jamil Basra

Kajli, is one of the most beautiful sheep breeds of Pakistan. Because of their beauty, Kajli lambs are sold at a higher price than those of other breeds with similar weight. With the increasing trend in commercial livestock farming, young Kajli lambs are purchased from the open market and reared up to Eid-ul-Adha (The Muslim Sacrificial Day). Information on feeding cost and growth performance on artificial rearing is important for the breed lovers and for a commercial enterprise. The present study aimed at generating basic information on feeding cost and growth performance of Kajli lambs offered milk replacer, cow-milk, and buffalo-milk, in comparison with those suckling directly from their dams. Fifty-six healthy Kajli lambs both male and female (with equal sex ratio) born at the Livestock Experimental Station, Khushab, Punjab, Pakistan during spring 2013 remained with their mothers for 1 week and were then divided into four groups of 14 animals each. Lambs in Group I were allowed to suckle their dams ad libitum, twice daily until 8 weeks and then once daily from 9 to 12 weeks. Lambs were weighed before and after suckling to calculate milk consumption. Lambs in the other three treatments were offered buffalo-milk, cow-milk or milk replacer at the rate of 10% of bodyweight until the 8th week and then gradually reduced to zero by the end of the 12th week. All lambs were offered starter ration from the 5th week of age in individual pens. The data on milk and starter intake, weekly bodyweight and blood glucose were analysed through MIXED procedures of SAS using repeated-measures analysis, and average daily gain (ADG), total weight gain, weaning weight and feeding cost were analysed using a completely randomised design. Least square means of ADG (g/day) and total weight gain (kg) were similar (P > 0.05) in direct suckling lambs and lambs offered buffalo-milk (175 and 151, and 14.5 and 12.5, respectively), and were higher (P < 0.05) than those offered cow-milk (118 and 10.4) or milk replacer (94 and 7.7). Feeding cost (per kg of liveweight) was highest (PKR 535) in lambs fed milk replacer and was lower (P > 0.05) in the other three groups. The cost of rearing lambs on buffalo-milk tended to be lower (PKR 375) than those offered cow-milk. In the absence of ewe’s milk, rearing Kajli lambs on buffalo-milk during the pre-weaning period therefore seems to be a better alternative.


2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tehya Read ◽  
Sylvie Combes ◽  
Thierry Gidenne ◽  
Nicolas Destombes ◽  
Luc Grenet ◽  
...  

<p>Post-weaning feed restriction is a common practice in rabbit farming to reduce mortality, but results in lower growth performance and slaughter weights. This study aimed to assess the influence of 2 diets both rich in fibre and low in starch, with high or low digestible energy (DE) and digestible protein (DP) contents for a constant DP/DE ratio offered from 18 to 70 d of age, on the growth performance and health parameters of rabbits. Eight hundred rabbit kits were divided in 2 experimental groups differing in the feed offered from 18 to 70 d: a high concentrate diet (HC group; 10.37 MJ DE/kg DM and 102 g DP/kg DM) or low concentrate diet (LC group; 9.63 MJ DE/kg DM and 95 g DP/kg DM). Feed was offered ad libitum before weaning (35 d) and from 63 to 70 d, while feed offered from 35 to 63 d was controlled to obtain similar DE intake in both groups. Feed intake, animal weights and health status were recorded weekly. Mortality was recorded daily. Feed intake was similar in both groups before weaning (P=0.204), and consequently the DE intake was higher in the HC group compared to the LC group before weaning (3.91 vs. 3.39 MJ, respectively; P=0.017). Feed intake from 63 to 70 d was lower in the HC than in the LC group (229 vs. 239 g/d/kit, respectively; P&lt;0.001).<br />Total DE ingested after weaning was similar in both groups (45.44 MJ; P=0.143). Kits were heavier in the HC group throughout the study (P&lt;0.05). A higher average daily gain during the periods of 18-28, 35-42 and 56-63 d was seen in the HC group (+8.1%, +16.8% and +4.5%, respectively; P&lt;0.05). Mortality and morbidity rates were similar between groups throughout the study (P=1.0 and P=0.104, respectively). Our results suggest that when the feed intake after weaning is controlled, i) the feeding strategy before weaning determines the weight at weaning and at slaughter age; and ii) rabbits fed a diet more highly concentrated but rich in fibre increase their growth performance without negative consequences on their digestive health.</p>


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 141-142
Author(s):  
Dathan Smerchek ◽  
Zachary K Smith

Abstract Two-hundred and forty English × Continental beef steers (initial BW=365 kg [SD 22.5]) were used in a randomized complete block design to evaluate the effects of bedding application during a 36 d feedlot receiving phase on growth performance and efficiency during winter. Steers were allotted to 30 pens (n = 8 steers/pen) at the Ruminant Nutrition Center in Brookings, SD and pens were assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: 1) No bedding applied (NO) or 2) 1.8 kg (as-is basis) of wheat straw bedding/steer/d (BED). Due to the logistics of acquiring, weighing, and timely feeding of steers, the first 9 pen replicates began on test 14 d prior (begin: January 15, 2019 and end: February 20, 2019) to the last 6 pen replicates (begin: January 29, 2019 and end: March 6, 2019). Pen was the experimental unit; an α of 0.05 determined significance. Daily ambient temperature (n = 50) averaged -14.7°C [SD 5.63] and wind-chill (n = 50) averaged -17.7°C [SD 6.40]. Initial BW (365 vs. 365 ± 0.5 kg) and dry matter intake (8.19 vs. 8.22 ± 0.047 kg) did not differ (P ≥ 0.57) between NO and BED. End BW was greater for BED (P = 0.01; 419 vs. 402 ± 1.09 kg) compared to NO. Steers from BED had increased average daily gain (P = 0.01) by 48.0% and gain:feed (P = 0.01) by 49.2% over NO. Using tabular ingredient energy values and observed steer performance shrunk 4%, relative adjustments to metabolic rate were calculated. Estimated metabolic rate was elevated (P = 0.01) for NO (0.146 vs. 0.104 ± 0.0032 Mcal/BW0.75, kg). Bedding improves feedlot receiving phase growth and efficiency in eastern South Dakota during the winter. Under the environmental conditions of this experiment, steers have a 40.4% increased metabolic rate when bedding is not used and steers in bedded pens had a 35.1% increase in metabolic rate compared to (0.077 Mcal/BW0.75, kg).


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