Abstract
Although pork producers typically aim to optimize growth rates, occasionally it is necessary to slow growth, such as when harvest facility capacity is limited. In finishing pigs, numerous dietary strategies can be used to slow growth so pigs are at optimal slaughter body weights when harvest facility capacity and/or access is restored. However, the impact of these diets on pork carcass quality is largely unknown. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of dietary strategies to slow growth in late finishing pigs and evaluate their effects on carcass composition and pork quality. Mixed-sex pigs (n = 897; 125 ± 2 kg BW) were randomly allotted across 48 pens and assigned to 1 of 6 dietary treatments (n = 8 pens/treatment): (1) Control diet representative of a typical finisher diet (CON); (2) diet containing 3% calcium chloride (CaCl2); (3) diet containing 97% corn and no soybean meal (Corn); (4) diet deficient in isoleucine (LowIle); (5) diet containing 15% neutral detergent fiber (NDF) from soybean hulls (15% NDF); and (6) diet containing 20% NDF from soybean hulls (20% NDF). Over 42 d, pen body weights and feed disappearance were collected. Pigs were harvested in 3 groups (14, 28, and 42 d on feed) and carcass data collected. From the harvest group, 1 loin was collected from 120 randomly selected carcasses (20 loins/treatment) to evaluate pork quality traits. Overall, ADG was reduced in CaCl2, Corn, and 20% NDF pigs compared with CON pigs (P < 0.001). However, ADFI was only reduced in CaCl2 and 20% NDF pigs compared with CON (P < 0.001). Feed efficiency was reduced in CaCl2 and Corn pigs compared with CON (P < 0.001). Hot carcass weights were reduced in CaCl2 pigs at all harvest dates (P < 0.001) and were reduced in Corn and 20% NDF pigs at days 28 and 42 compared with CON pigs (P < 0.001). In general, CaCl2 and 20% NDF diets resulted in leaner carcasses, whereas the Corn diet increased backfat by 42 d on test (P < 0.05). Loin pH was reduced and star probe increased in CaCl2 pigs compared with CON pigs (P < 0.05); no treatments differed from CON pigs regarding drip loss, cook loss, color, firmness, or marbling (P ≥ 0.117). Overall, these data indicate that several dietary strategies can slow finishing pig growth without evidence of behavioral vices. However, changes to carcass composition and quality were also observed, indicating quality should be taken into consideration when choosing diets to slow growth.
Highlights
The overarching goal of any swine production system is to efficiently optimize growth rates and/or feed intake to enhance barn throughput, lean tissue accretion, and profitability
In the first 14 d on test diets, average daily gain (ADG) tended to be reduced in pigs fed the 20% neutral detergent fiber (NDF) diet (Table 2; P = 0.066) compared with pigs fed the corn–soybean meal-based finisher diet (CON) diet and was reduced in pigs fed both corn and no soybean meal (Corn) (41%; P < 0.001) and CaCl2 (240%; P < 0.001) diets compared with the CON diet
average daily feed intake (ADFI) in the first 14 d was only reduced in pigs fed the 20% NDF from soybean hulls (20% NDF) (21%; P < 0.001) and CaCl2 (60%; P < 0.001) diet compared with the CON diet
Summary
The overarching goal of any swine production system is to efficiently optimize growth rates and/or feed intake to enhance barn throughput, lean tissue accretion, and profitability. Circumstances arise in which it may be necessary to slow growth rates Rare, these instances could include interruptions in feed supply, animal movement restrictions as a result of a disease outbreak, or when harvest facility access is suspended or delayed (Weng et al, 2017). Harvest facility capacity did rebound quickly after harvest facilities began to reopen, complications arising from having so many simultaneous harvest facility closures revealed critical areas in the hog production supply chain that suffer during harvest facility disruptions. One of these was the ability to slow the growth of late finisher, market-ready hogs until harvest facilities became available
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