99 Effect of Trace Mineral Inclusion Level on Growing-Finishing Pig Performance, Trace Mineral Manure Concentration, and Carcass Characteristics

Abstract

Abstract Growing pigs require trace minerals for various biochemical functions. Contrary to research observations, common industry practices include feeding trace minerals above the defined NRC (2012) requirements. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of rate of dietary trace minerals supplementation from a commercial trace mineral premix on growing-finishing pig performance. A total of 442 growing pigs in 2 groups were followed through phases 6 to 9 of a 9-phase feeding program at the SDSU On-site wean-to-finish research facility. Each group utilized 1 room with 20 pens and 4 pits: group 1 (n = 195; 34.8±0.9 kg initial BW) with a stocking density of 9 or 10 pigs/pen and group 2 (n=247; 391±2.6 initial BW) with a stocking density of 12 or 13 pigs/pen. Shallow manure pit location of each room dictated dietary treatment allocation as either: 1) corn-soybean meal diet with full trace mineral supplementation or 2) corn-soybean meal with 50% trace mineral supplementation. Full and reduced trace mineral supplementation from commercial trace mineral premix both exceeded NRC (2012) recommendations. Overall, there were no differences (P > 0.05) observed in ADG, ADFI, or FCR between pigs fed full or 50% trace mineral supplementation (Table 1). This supports previous observations that reducing or eliminating dietary trace mineral supplementation did not impact pig performance. In contrast, the accumulated concentration of Fe (230 vs. 136 ppm) and Mn (63 vs. 32 ppm) in the pit manure samples were reduced (P < 0.01). Additionally, there were no differences (P > 0.05) in carcass characteristics between pigs supplemented with the different rates of dietary trace mineral (Table 2). These results suggest increasing trace mineral supplementation contributes to excess trace mineral excretion in the manure; however, does not contribute to improved productivity.