480 Current Knowledge Gaps in Swine Nutrition

Abstract

Abstract Swine nutrition has advanced greatly during my tenure in the industry; from balancing on crude protein using a Pearson Square to SID amino acid ratios, NE and digestible/available Ca and P. However, practicing nutritionist are still challenged with many unknowns such as how to minimize environmental footprint, feeding during health challenges all while trying to minimize feed cost. We now have 8 of the 10 essential AA commercially available; why can we still not maintain performance levels when feeding very low crude protein levels? The NE system has provided additional precision, but we have gaps particularly when dealing with high fiber ingredients. Do we even know how to correctly measure fiber components, let alone what is their energy contribution to the pig? Is it time for a productive energy system focused on carcass gain? We have long known the negative performance impacts of activating the immune system, but yet we understand essentially nothing on how to modify diets during a health challenge event. We have made tremendous strides in microbiome analyses. Do we know to how feed/manage the biome for optimal GI health? Enzyme technology has advanced greatly over the past decade, with phytase as common in the diet as salt. However, we have yet to understand how to get consistent performance responses with the vast number of carbohydrases, proteinases and lipases currently available. While we have come far, but we still have many challenges. However, we see great opportunities for swine nutrition community to continue to provide solutions in the coming years to meet these new challenges.