The addition of ground wheat straw as a fiber source in the gestation diet of sows and the effect on sow and litter performance for three successive parities.

A regional experiment was conducted at 8 experiment stations, with a total of 320 sows initially, to evaluate the efficacy of adding 13.35% ground wheat straw to a corn-soybean meal gestation diet for 3 successive gestation-lactation (reproductive) cycles compared with sows fed a control diet without straw. A total of 708 litters were farrowed over 3 reproductive cycles. The basal gestation diet intake averaged 1.95 kg daily for both treatments, plus 0.30 kg of straw daily for sows fed the diet containing ground wheat straw (total intake of 2.25 kg/d). During lactation, all sows on both gestation treatments were fed ad libitum the standard lactation diet used at each station. Response criteria were sow farrowing and rebreeding percentages, culling factors and culling rate, weaning-to-estrus interval, sow BW and backfat measurements at several time points, and litter size and total litter weight at birth and weaning. Averaged over 3 reproductive cycles, sows fed the diet containing wheat straw farrowed and weaned 0.51 more pigs per litter (P

Effect of low doses of Aspergillus niger phytase on growth performance, bone strength, and nutrient absorption and excretion by growing and finishing swine fed corn-soybean meal diets deficient in available phosphorus and calcium.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of low doses of Aspergillus niger (AN) phytase for growing and finishing pigs fed corn-soybean meal (SBM) diets with narrow Ca:P ratios that were about 0.9 g/kg deficient in available P and Ca. Experiment 1 utilized 120 pigs with an early finisher period from 51.5 +/- 0.2 to 89.7 +/- 0.9 kg of BW and a late finisher period that ended at 122.5 +/- 2.0 kg of BW. During each period, treatments were the low-P diets with 0, 150, 300, or 450 units (U) of AN phytase added/kg of diet, and a positive control (PC) diet. There were linear increases (P < or = 0.001) in bone strength and ash weight, the absorption of P (g/d and %) and Ca (%), and overall ADG (P = 0.01) with increasing concentration of AN phytase. Pigs fed the diets with 150, 300, or 450 U of AN phytase/kg did not differ from pigs fed the PC diet in growth performance overall, and pigs fed the diets with 300 or 450 U of AN phytase did not differ in P and Ca absorption (g/d) or bone ash weight from pigs fed the PC diet. However, only pigs fed the diet with 450 U of AN phytase/kg had bone strength similar to that of pigs fed the PC diet. Experiment 2 utilized 120 pigs in a grower phase from 25.3 +/- 0.1 to 57.8 +/- 0.8 kg of BW and a finisher phase that ended at 107.6 +/- 1.0 kg of BW. Treatments were the low-P diet with AN phytase added at 300, 500, or 700 U/kg of grower diet, and 150, 250, or 350 U/kg of finisher diet, respectively, resulting in treatments AN300/150, AN500/250, and AN700/350. Growth performance and the absorption (g/d) of P and Ca for the grower and finisher phases were not different for pigs fed the diets containing AN phytase and pigs fed the PC diets. However, pigs fed the PC diets excreted more fecal P (g/d, P < or = 0.01) during the grower and more P and Ca (g/d, P < 0.001) during the finisher phases than the pigs fed the diets with phytase. There were linear increases (P < or = 0.05) in bone strength and bone ash weight with increasing concentration of AN phytase. However, pigs fed the PC diets had a greater bone strength and bone ash weight than pigs fed diets AN300/150, AN500/250 (P < or = 0.02), or AN700/350 (P < or = 0.08). There were no treatment responses for N or DM digestibility in either experiment. Phytase supplementation reduced fecal P excretion from 16 to 38% and fecal Ca excretion from 21 to 42% in these experiments. In conclusion, 450 U of AN phytase/kg was effective in replacing 0.9 g of the inorganic P/kg of corn-SBM diet for finishing swine based on bone strength, whereas 300 or 150 U of AN phytase/kg of diet maintained growth performance of grower or finisher pigs, respectively.

Conjugated linoleic acid content of beef differs by feeding regime and muscle.

The project objective was to determine the CLA content of three muscles (Longissimus lumborum, LD; Semimembranosus, SM; Triceps brachii, TB), in both raw and cooked states, in cattle finished on pasture or with grain supplements. Cattle were randomly assigned to one of four finishing regimens; pasture (n=11), pasture with grain supplement (n=11), pasture with grain supplement containing soyoil (n=12), and feedlot (n=12). In the raw state, TB had higher (P<0.05) CLA than LD or SM on a mg/g sample basis. Total CLA was higher (P<0.05) in the soyoil diet when compared to the other three feeding regimes on a mg/g sample basis and when expressed as mg/g fat in both raw and cooked analyses. Pasture inclusion produced higher levels (P<0.05) of total CLA than the feedlot diet on a mg/g fat basis for cooked samples while maintaining acceptable eating quality.

Comparison of growth performance and zinc absorption, retention, and excretion in weanling pigs fed diets supplemented with zinc-polysaccharide or zinc oxide.

Fifty weanling crossbred pigs averaging 6.2 kg of initial BW and 21 d of age were used in a 5-wk experiment to evaluate lower dietary concentrations of an organic source of Zn as a Zn-polysaccharide (Zn-PS) compared with 2,000 ppm of inorganic Zn as ZnO, with growth performance, plasma concentrations of Zn and Cu, and Zn and Cu balance as the criteria. The pigs were fed individually in metabolism crates, and Zn and Cu balance were measured on individual pigs (10 replications per treatment) from d 22 to 26. The basal Phase 1 (d 0 to 14) and Phase 2 (d 14 to 35) diets contained 125 or 100 ppm added Zn as Zn sulfate, respectively, and met all nutrient requirements. Treatments were the basal Phase 1 and 2 diets supplemented with 0, 150, 300, or 450 ppm of Zn as Zn-PS or 2,000 ppm Zn as ZnO. Blood samples were collected from all pigs on d 7, 14, and 28. For pigs fed increasing Zn as Zn-PS, there were no linear or quadratic responses (P > or = 0.16) in ADG, ADFI, or G:F for Phases 1 or 2 or overall. For single degree of freedom treatment comparisons, Phase 1 ADG and G:F were greater (P < or = 0.05) for pigs fed 2,000 ppm Zn as ZnO than for pigs fed the control diet or the diet containing 150 ppm Zn as Zn-PS. For Phase 2 and overall, ADG and G:F for pigs fed the diets containing 300 or 450 ppm of Zn as Zn-PS did not differ (P > or = 0.29) from pigs fed the diet containing ZnO. Pigs fed the diet containing ZnO also had a greater Phase 2 (P < or = 0.10) and overall (P < or = 0.05) ADG and G:F than pigs fed the control diet. There were no differences (P > or = 0.46) in ADFI for any planned comparison. There were linear increases (P < 0.001) in the Zn excreted (mg/d) with increasing dietary Zn-PS. Pigs fed the diet containing ZnO absorbed, retained, and excreted more Zn (P < 0.001) than pigs fed the control diet or any of the diets containing Zn-PS. In conclusion, Phase 2 and overall growth performance by pigs fed diets containing 300 or 450 ppm Zn as Zn-PS did not differ from that of pigs fed 2,000 ppm Zn as ZnO; however, feeding 300 ppm Zn as Zn-PS decreased Zn excretion by 76% compared with feeding 2,000 ppm Zn as ZnO.

Copper proteinate in weanling pig diets for enhancing growth performance and reducing fecal copper excretion compared with copper sulfate.

Two 28-d experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of low dietary concentrations of Cu as Cu-proteinate compared with 250 ppm Cu as CuSO4 with growth performance, plasma Cu concentrations, and Cu balance of weanling swine as the criteria. In the production study (Exp. 1), 240 crossbred pigs that averaged 19.8 d of age and 6.31 kg BW initially were group-fed (two or three pigs per pen) the basal diets (Phase 1: d 0 to 14 and Phase 2: d 14 to 28) supplemented with 0 (control), 25, 50, 100, or 200 ppm Cu as Cu-proteinate, or 250 ppm Cu as CuSO4 (as-fed basis). The basal diets contained 16.5 ppm Cu supplied as CuSO4 before supplementation with Cu-proteinate or 250 ppm Cu as CuSO4. There were quadratic responses (P < or = 0.05) in ADFI and ADG for wk 1, Phases 1 and 2, and overall because ADFI was higher for pigs fed 25 or 50 ppm Cu as Cu-proteinate, and ADG increased with increasing Cu-proteinate up to 50 ppm Cu. The Cu-proteinate treatment groups combined had a higher (P < or = 0.05) Phase 2 and overall ADFI and ADG than the CuSO4 group. In the mineral balance study (Exp. 2), 20 crossbred barrows that averaged 35 d of age and 11.2 kg/BW initially were placed in individual metabolism pens with total urine and fecal grab sample collections on d 22 to 26. Treatments were the basal Phase 2 diet supplemented with 0, 50, or 100 ppm Cu as Cu-proteinate, or 250 ppm Cu as CuSO4 (as-fed basis). Treatments did not differ in growth performance criteria. There were linear increases (P < 0.001) in Cu absorption, retention, and excretion (milligrams per day) with increasing Cu-proteinate. Pigs fed 100 ppm Cu as Cu-proteinate absorbed and retained more Cu and excreted less Cu (mg/d, P < or = 0.003) than pigs fed 250 ppm Cu as CuSO4. Plasma Cu concentrations increased linearly (P = 0.06) with increasing Cu-proteinate. In conclusion, weanling pig growth performance was increased by 50 or 100 ppm Cu as Cu-proteinate in our production Exp. 1, but not in our balance Exp. 2, compared with 250 ppm Cu as CuSO4. However, 50 or 100 ppm Cu as Cu-proteinate increased Cu absorption and retention, and decreased Cu excretion 77 and 61%, respectively, compared with 250 ppm Cu as CuSO4.

Soaking increases the efficacy of supplemental microbial phytase in a low-phosphorus corn-soybean meal diet for growing pigs.

Sixty-three crossbred barrows averaging 18.7 kg initial BW were used in a 6-wk study of the effects of soaking on the efficacy of supplemental microbial phytase (Natuphos, BASF) in a low-P corn-soybean meal diet. The basal corn-soybean meal diet contained .06% available P, .32% total P, and .55% Ca with no added inorganic P. The basal diet was supplemented with 0, 250, or 500 phytase units (PU)/kg of diet. The diet was fed dry or soaked (2 parts water:1 part diet and mixed for 2 h at 30 degrees C before feeding) in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement. A positive control diet was supplemented with inorganic P and provided .23% available P, .48% total P, and .60% Ca. Pigs were individually penned and fed their respective diets to appetite in four equal meals daily. There were no soaking x phytase interactions (P > .1 to .6) for growth performance criteria. Daily gain and gain/feed ratio were increased (P < .01) by soaking and increased linearly (P < .01) by phytase. Daily feed intake was increased linearly (P < .01) by phytase. There were soaking x phytase quadratic interactions (P < .01) for apparent P absorption criteria because soaking the 250 PU/kg diet increased P absorption similar to that obtained with the 500 PU/kg diet fed dry. Apparent P absorption criteria were increased by soaking (P < .01) and were increased linearly (P < .001) and quadratically (P < .03) by phytase. Phytase reduced fecal P excretion 37 to 40% with dry feeding (P < .03) and 48 to 49% with soaking (P < .01).

Supplemental protein and energy for beef cows consuming endophyte-infected tall fescue.

Effects of energy and protein supplementation of endophyte (Acremonium coenophialum)-infected (E+) and noninfected (E-) tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) on forage intake, digestibility, N flow to the small intestine, and cow-calf productivity was evaluated in two experiments. In Exp. 1, 10 ruminally and duodenally cannulated steers were fed either E- or E+ hay with four supplements or E- or E+ hay unsupplemented. Four supplements formulated with either cracked corn or soybean hulls with 100 or 200 g/d of ruminally undegraded intake protein (UIP) were compared. Levels of UIP were varied by adding soybean meal or blood meal. Hay OM intake was not affected (P > .20) by source of energy of level of UIP; however, intake of E- was greater (P < .05) than that of E+. True ruminal OM digestion tended to be greater (P < .12) for steers fed 200 g/d of UIP than for steers fed 100 g/d. Steers receiving 200 g/d of UIP had increased (P < .10) total N flow to the duodenum compared with steers receiving 100 g/d but similar (P > .20) microbial efficiencies. In Exp. 2, 30 cows (average initial BW 459 +/- 26 kg) and their calves (average initial BW 74 +/- 5 kg and 74 +/- 5 d of age) grazed an 8.1-ha E+ pasture from late May to late July. Cows were individually fed supplements used in Exp. 1 each day. Cows that received cracked corn lost .10 kg/d when fed 100 g/d of UIP but gained .33 kg/d when fed 200 g/d. Cows fed soybean hulls and 100 g/d of UIP gained .07 kg/d, whereas cows provided 200 g/d lost .10 kg/d. Calves nursing cows supplemented with 100 g/d of UIP gained more (P < .08) BW because of increased (P < .07) milk consumption and slightly greater (P < .19) forage intake than calves nursing cows supplemented with 200 g/d of UIP.

Effect of supplemental niacin on sow reproduction and sow and litter performance.

In this study the effects of supplemental crystalline niacin on sow reproduction and sow and litter performance were evaluated using 240 litters produced by 67 sows. A basal 12.80% CP corn-soybean meal-oat diet was supplemented with 0 or 33 mg of crystalline niacin/kg during gestation and lactation. The sows were grouped to equalize initial BW and parity among the two treatment groups. Each sow was fed 2.0 kg/d during gestation and 1.8 kg plus .45 kg per nursing pig during lactation. Sows not culled due to reproductive or structural problems remained on the experiment for five parities (average 3.6). Supplemental niacin did not improve (P > .20) any of the sow reproductive or sow and litter performance variables evaluated, including the subjective scores for sow lameness, toe cracks, and hair and skin condition. In conclusion, these results suggest that a 12.80% CP corn-soybean meal-oat diet provides adequate niacin during gestation and lactation without supplementation with crystalline niacin.

The effect of L-carnitine and soybean oil on performance and nitrogen and energy utilization by neonatal and young pigs.

A total of 64 neonatal pigs was used in an experiment to study the effect of L-carnitine and soybean oil on pig performance and N and energy utilization. Pigs were weaned at an average of 3 d of age and individually fed diets that contained dextrose, corn syrup solids, and isolated soy protein for 21 d. Two levels of soybean oil (1.18 or 12.31%) and L-carnitine (0 or 800 ppm) were used in a factorial arrangement of treatments. Diets were formulated to contain the same nutrient content per megacalorie of ME. Total fecal and urine collections were made from d 17 to 21 of the experiment. Pigs were paired within treatments on d 21 and housed in pens until d 63. L-carnitine was lowered to 750 ppm and the soybean oil additions were 1.15 or 13.22% from d 21 to 42 and 2.17 or 14.74% from d 42 to 63. Soybean meal replaced isolated soy protein from d 42 to 63. Analysis of covariance was used with calculated ME intake per day as the covariate. There were no carnitine x soybean oil interactions (P > .05) for any criteria measured. L-carnitine or soybean oil did not (P > .05) affect ADG, grams of gain per megacalorie of ME, ME as a percentage of GE or N retained as a percentage of N consumed. In conclusion, L-carnitine did not improve the utilization of ME in diets that contained high additions of soybean oil, and calories from soybean oil were utilized as effectively as calories from carbohydrate by neonatal and young pigs.

Effect of extrusion on the ileal and fecal digestibilities of lysine in yellow corn in diets for young pigs.

Forty crossbred barrows (initial avg BW of 20 kg) were fitted with T-cannulas to determine the effects of extrusion of yellow corn on lysine digestibility. A basal corn-cornstarch-soybean meal diet was formulated to contain .55% lysine. Extruded corn (EC), non-extruded corn (C) and L-Lysine-HCl (LLH) replaced cornstarch in the basal diet to provide total dietary lysine levels of .60, .65 and .70% lysine for each lysine source. Diet intake was 5.5% of BW. Treatments were arranged as a 3 x 3 factorial with the basal diet as an extra dietary treatment. Apparent ileal digestibilities of lysine, threonine, methionine and isoleucine were greater (P less than .05) for diets with added LLH than for diets containing EC or C, which were similar (P greater than .05). Apparent ileal and fecal digestibilities and retention of nitrogen (N) as a percentage of N absorbed or consumed were greater (P less than .05) for diets containing LLH than for those containing EC or C, which were not different (P greater than .05). Plasma urea N levels were also lower (P less than .05) for pigs fed diets containing LLH than for pigs fed EC or C. Fecal DE and ME as a percentage of GE were greater (P less than .05) in diets containing EC than in those containing C. In summary, extrusion improved (P less than .05) energy utilization but did not affect the utilization of lysine or N in corn by pigs. However, lysine and N utilization were greater (P less than .05) in diets supplemented with LLH compared with EC or C.