Finishing Pig Performance Research Articles

Effects of lycopene and tomato paste on oxidative stability and fatty acid composition of fresh belly meat in finishing pigs

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of dietary lycopene and tomato paste on plasma lipids, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations and fatty acid composition of fresh belly meats from finishing pigs. In addition, lycopene concentrations in fresh belly meat were measured. A total of 60, 18-week-old crossbred pigs (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc) were fed four dietary treatments for four weeks. The diets included a base diet of maize and soybean meal (control treatment) and the base diet mixed with lycopene (20 mg/kg of diet); or tomato paste (3.4 g/100 g diet); or both (10 mg/kg lycopene and 1.7 g tomato paste/100 g diet). Supplementing pigs with lycopene and/or tomato paste did not affect production traits, plasma lipids including total lipids, total cholesterol, high-density and low-density cholesterols, and triglycerides. The dietary lycopene or tomato paste resulted in significantly lower (p < .05) MDA concentrations in fresh pork bellies compared with the control group. Lycopene was not detected in fresh belly meat of pigs fed the control diet, but the lycopene concentration was significantly higher (p < .05) in lycopene- or tomato paste-fed pigs. The fatty acid composition of fresh belly meat was not affected by dietary treatment. We conclude that the dietary lycopene or tomato paste failed to affect growth performance and lipid parameters in late finishing pigs but resulted in lower MDA concentrations in fresh pork belly meats. It is likely that enhanced oxidative stability in pork belly meats is mediated via the incorporation of diet-origin lycopene in the analysed tissues.HighlightsDietary lycopene improves oxidative stability of fresh belly meats from pigs.Dietary lycopene is incorporated into fresh belly meats from pigs.

Effect of Partial Replacement of Maize with Palm Oil Sludge on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility and Blood Profiles of Finishing Pigs

A feeding trial was carried out to elucidate the effect of replacing maize with palm oil sludge (POS) on the performance, blood profiles and nutrient digestibility of late finishing pigs. Twenty four crossbred (Large White Yorkshire × Hampshire) pigs were randomly grouped into 4 treatments with six animals per treatment in a completely randomized design. POS was incorporated in the experimental diets at 0 (Group-1, control), 10 (Group-2), 20 (Group-3) and 30% (Group-4) to replace maize as energy source. During this period (84 days), body weight gain, feed intake, average daily gain and feed conversion efficiency were non-significant (P>0.05) among the different treatment groups. The results on hematological parameters like Hb, WBC, RBC, PCV, MCV, MCH, MCHC, lymphocyte and monocyte were similar (P>0.05) in all the experimental groups. The biochemical parameters (SGPT, SGOT, ALP, creatinine, urea, glucose, total protein, triglyceride, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, Ca and P were similar (P>0.05) in all the different treatment groups. The digestibility of DM, OM, CP and NFE revealed linear difference (P 0.05). The feed cost per kg gain was linearly decreased (P<0.01) in Group-4 as compared to the control. It may be concluded that replacement of maize up to 30% with POS in the concentrate diet of finishing pigs had no effect on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and haemato-biochemical parameters. Economically, replacing maize with POS was cost effective and can be an alternative for costly feed ingredients in pig production.

116 The Impact of Evaporative Pad Cooling on Finishing Pig Performance.

116 The Impact of Evaporative Pad Cooling on Finishing Pig Performance.

262 Impact of Hybrid Rye (Brasetto) on Finisher Pig Performance, Carcass and Meat Quality.

An experiment was conducted to determine effects on growth performance and carcass characteristics of including hybrid rye in diets for growing-finishing pigs. A total of 1,056 pigs were allotted to 3 dietary treatments using a 5-phases feeding program from 30 to approximately 135 kg. Within each phase, diets were formulated to be equal in NE and standardized ileal digestible lysine. Control diets were based on barley and wheat and did not contain rye. Moderate rye diets contained 10, 15, 20, 25, and 25% hybrid rye in phase 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 diets, respectively, whereas the high-rye diets contained 20, 30, 40, 50, and 50% hybrid rye in phase 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 diets, respectively. Daily feed allotments were recorded and pig weights were recorded at the beginning of the experiment and then every 3 weeks until the end of the trial. At the conclusion of the experiment, 96 pigs were selected and for complete carcass and meat quality evaluation. Results indicated that ADG, ADFI, and Feed conversion rate (FCR) were not different among treatments. Mortality and morbidity were also not affected by dietary treatment and carcass yield, back fat, and lean yield were not different among treatments. Likewise, fat color, drip loss, belly softness, fat iodine value, and marbling were not impacted by inclusion of hybrid rye in the diets (data not shown). In conclusion, addition of up to 25% rye in grower diets and up to 50% in finishing diets had no detrimental impact on pig growth performance or on carcass characteristics and meat quality. Further research is needed to elucidate if greater inclusion rates of hybrid rye may be used in diets for growing-finishing pigs. Table 1. Growth performance of pigs fed experimental diets 1Pigs were fed diets containing 10, 15, 20, 25 and 25% rye during phases 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. 2Pigs were fed diets containing 20, 30, 40, 50 and 50% rye during phases 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. 3Feeding phase 1-4 (week 0-13); used rye had an ergot content of 800 ppb 4Feeding phase 1-5 (week 0-end); feeding phase 5 after week 13 – used rye had an ergot content of 4980 ppb 5Deads/pulls are pig that died during the trial period or that we pulled out of the trial and which died later Table 1. Growth performance of pigs fed experimental diets 1Pigs were fed diets containing 10, 15, 20, 25 and 25% rye during phases 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. 2Pigs were fed diets containing 20, 30, 40, 50 and 50% rye during phases 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. 3Feeding phase 1-4 (week 0-13); used rye had an ergot content of 800 ppb 4Feeding phase 1-5 (week 0-end); feeding phase 5 after week 13 – used rye had an ergot content of 4980 ppb 5Deads/pulls are pig that died during the trial period or that we pulled out of the trial and which died later

Effects of Dietary Corn Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles Withdrawal on Finishing Pig Performance and Carcass Characteristics

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of removing corn dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) at increasing intervals before harvest on finishing pig performance and carcass characteristics. For Exp. 1, 985 finishing pigs [initially 219 ± 5.5 lb body weight (BW)] were used in a 28-d growth study. There were 12 pens per treatment with 19 to 21 pigs per pen. There were four treatments decreasing in duration of withdrawal of DDGS from diets before final marketing: 28, 21, 14, or 0 d withdrawal. Regardless of treatment, pens of pigs were topped according to a typical summer marketing strategy with one top prior to final barn dump. All pens were topped by removing the 17% heaviest pigs on d -21 resulting in a final barn dump of approximately 83% of starting barn inventory. Overall, there was no evidence for effects of DDGS withdrawal time on final BW, average daily feed intake (ADFI), or feed efficiency (F/G; P > 0.111); however, as withdrawal time increased, average daily gain (ADG) linearly increased (P = 0.022) and iodine value decreased (linear, P = 0.001). There was no evidence for treatment differences for hot carcass weight (HCW) or loin depth (P > 0.106); however, dressing percentage was linearly increased (P = 0.001) with increased withdrawal time. Backfat depth was also decreased (quadratic; P = 0.019) and percentage lean increased (quadratic; P = 0.033) as DDGS withdrawal time increased. Feed cost and gain value were increased (linear, P < 0.020) resulting in a marginally significant (P < 0.100) increase in income over feed cost (IOFC) with increased withdrawal duration.

Effects of Corn Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles Withdrawal on Finishing Pig Performance

Effects of Corn Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles Withdrawal on Finishing Pig Performance

Effect of Dietary Fiber Source on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Economic Return of Finishing Pigs

Effect of Dietary Fiber Source on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Economic Return of Finishing Pigs

287 The effects of feeding narasin (Skycis) on late finishing pig performance

287 The effects of feeding narasin (Skycis) on late finishing pig performance

292 The effect of feeding Ambitine feed additive on late finishing pig performance

292 The effect of feeding Ambitine feed additive on late finishing pig performance

Efecto de la carga animal y el tipo de piso sobre el rendimiento, la temperatura de la piel y leucograma en la cría de cerdos

Objetivo. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el rendimiento, las características de termorregulación, y el leucograma de cerdos de engorde, criados en diferentes densidad mantenidos en corrales de piso compactos o en piscinas de poca profundidad. Material y métodos. Treinta y seis cerdos se utilizaron en dos etapas (un total de 72 animalles utilizados). En el primer paso, se analizaron las características zootécnicas (consumo diario de alimento, ganancia de peso y alimento: ganancia) y el espesor de grasa dorsal (P2). En el segundo paso, los mismos análisis se repitieron, además, el análisis de leucograma y temperatura de la piel se realizó en P2 y la región anal, al final del crecimiento y del acabado de fase. Resultados. Se evaluaron las diferencias entre los tratamientos y media. No se encontró efecto del tipo de suelo en fase de crecimiento, pero el uso de la piscina de poca profundidad tuvo un efecto negativo sobre la ganancia y la alimentación: ración de ganancia en la fase de acabado. El aumento de efecto lineal de espesor de grasa dorsal como la tasa media se redujo, así como una menor temperatura de la superficie en la región anal en el tratamiento con piscina de poca profundidad en la fase de acabado. No hubo efecto de los tratamientos y tipo de suelo sobre el Leucograma de los cerdos. Permitiendo más espacio/animal disminuyó el espesor de grasa dorsal. El uso de la piscina de poca profundidad afectó negativamente al rendimiento en la fase de acabado. Conclusiones. El uso de la piscina de poca profundidad afectó el rendimiento de los cerdos de acabado, a pesar de la mejora de termólisis, sin efecto visible en la respuesta inmune celular.

Evaluating pellet and meal feeding regimens on finishing pig performance, stomach morphology, and carcass characteristics.

A total of 2,100 pigs (PIC 327 × 1050; initially 31.2 kg BW) were used in a 118-d trial to determine the effects of pellet or meal feeding regimens on finishing pig growth performance, stomach morphology, and carcass characteristics. Pens of pigs were balanced by initial BW and randomly allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments (14 pens/treatment with 25 pigs/pen). Pens were sorted by gender allowing for 7 barrow pens and 7 gilt pens per treatment. The same corn-soybean meal-based diets containing 15% dried distillers' grains with solubles were used for all treatments and fed in 5 phases. Phases were fed from d 0 to 28, 28 to 56, 56 to 84, 84 to 98, and 98 to 118. The 6 treatments included a meal or pelleted diet fed from d 0 to 118, a meal diet fed from d 0 to 70 followed by pellets from d 70 to 118, a pelleted diet fed from d 0 to 70 followed by a meal diet from d 70 to 118, or pellets and meal rotated every 2 wk starting with meal or pellets. On d 110, 4 pigs from each pen were harvested and stomachs collected, from which a combined ulcer and keratinization score was determined for each pig. Overall, there were no differences in ADG across feeding regimens. Pigs fed meal throughout had the greatest ( < 0.05) ADFI, whereas pigs fed pellets throughout had the lowest ( < 0.05), with all other treatments intermediate ( < 0.05). Pigs fed pelleted diets throughout had the greatest ( < 0.05) G:F, whereas pigs fed meal throughout had the worst G:F ( < 0.05), with all other treatments intermediate ( < 0.05). When pelleted diets were fed for the last 58 d or for the entire trial, the incidence of ulceration and keratinization increased ( < 0.05), whereas pigs fed meal for the last 58 d had a lower incidence ( < 0.05), with all other treatments intermediate ( < 0.05). Feeding pellets throughout increased ( < 0.05) the number of pigs removed per pen compared with all other treatments. Pig removals were determined by an on-site farm manager when pigs were at risk due to weight loss, health, or animal welfare concerns and needed to be separated from the general population. There were no differences for any carcass characteristics measured including HCW, carcass yield, backfat depth, loin depth, and percentage lean. In conclusion, feeding pelleted diets improved G:F but increased stomach ulceration and pig removals; however, rotating pellets and meal diets provided an intermediate G:F response and moderated stomach ulcerations compared with feeding only pellets.

High dietary inclusion levels of phytase in grower-finisher pigs

Increasing levels of phytase above commercial levels (500 FYT/kg) in pig diets has demonstrated improvements in performance beyond that of a phosphorus (P) adequate control. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of adding increasing levels of dietary phytase to diets with reduced P and calcium (Ca) levels on grower and finisher pig performance, and P and Ca digestibility. Three hundred and eighty four pigs (Large White x Landrace dam to Hampshire boar) were allocated to trial at 35.3 (± 4.92) kg live weight. Pigs were fed one of six diets (eight replicates per treatment), a positive control diet (PC) containing 0.56% total P and 0.65% total Ca from 35-55 kg (grower stage) and 0.52% total P and 0.60% total Ca from 55 to 110 kg liveweight (finisher stage), a negative control diet (NC) containing 0.46% total P and 0.53% total Ca (grower stage) and 0.41% total P and 0.48% total Ca (finisher stage), NC+250, NC+500, NC+1,000, NC+2,000 phytase units FYT/kg. There was no difference in performance between the dietary treatments during the grower stage, however increasing phytase linearly improved P (P < 0.001) and Ca (P < 0.05) digestibility. Throughout the finisher stage phytase increased feed intake (linear, P < 0.001), ADG (quadratic, P < 0.05) and tended to improve feed efficiency (linear, P = 0.058). Pigs fed the PC diet grew faster than pigs fed the NC diet (P < 0.001). Phosphorus and Ca concentration in the metacarpal bone increased linearly with the addition of phytase (P <0.01; P < 0.001). In conclusion, increasing levels of phytase above 250 FYT/kg in finisher pigs linearly improved performance.

Effects of wheat source and particle size in meal and pelleted diets on finishing pig growth performance, carcass characteristics, and nutrient digestibility.

Two experiments were conducted to test the effects of wheat source and particle size in meal and pelleted diets on finishing pig performance, carcass characteristics, and diet digestibility. In Exp. 1, pigs (PIC 327 × 1050; = 288; initially 43.8 kg BW) were balanced by initial BW and randomly allotted to 1 of 3 treatments with 8 pigs per pen (4 barrows and 4 gilts) and 12 pens per treatment. The 3 dietary treatments were hard red winter wheat ground with a hammer mill to 728, 579, or 326 μm, respectively. From d 0 to 40, decreasing wheat particle size decreased (linear, < 0.033) ADFI but improved (quadratic, < 0.014) G:F. From d 40 to 83, decreasing wheat particle size increased (quadratic, < 0.018) ADG and improved (linear, < 0.002) G:F. Overall from d 0 to 83, reducing wheat particle size improved (linear, < 0.002) G:F. In Exp. 2, pigs (PIC 327 × 1050; = 576; initially 43.4 ± 0.02 kg BW) were used to determine the effects of wheat source and particle size of pelleted diets on finishing pig growth performance and carcass characteristics. Pigs were randomly allotted to pens, and pens of pigs were balanced by initial BW and randomly allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments with 12 replications per treatment and 8 pigs/pen. The experimental diets used the same wheat-soybean meal formulation, with the 6 treatments using hard red winter or soft white winter wheat that were processed to 245, 465, and 693 μm and 258, 402, and 710 μm, respectively. All diets were pelleted. Overall, feeding hard red winter wheat increased ( < 0.05) ADG and ADFI when compared with soft white winter wheat. There was a tendency ( < 0.10) for a quadratic particle size × wheat source interaction for ADG, ADFI, and both DM and GE digestibility, as they were decreased for pigs fed 465-μm hard red winter wheat and were greatest for pigs fed 402-μm soft white winter wheat. There were no main or interactive effects of particle size or wheat source on carcass characteristics. In summary, fine grinding hard red winter wheat fed in meal form improved G:F and nutrient digestibility, whereas reducing particle size of wheat from approximately 700 to 250 μm in pelleted diets did not influence growth or carcass traits. Finally, feeding hard red winter wheat improved ADG and ADFI compared with feeding soft white winter wheat.

160 The effect of feeding a phytogenic (Ambitine™FT) with and without added copper on late finishing pig performance

160 The effect of feeding a phytogenic (Ambitine™FT) with and without added copper on late finishing pig performance

Effects of Added Chromium and Space Allocation on Finishing Pig Performance

Effects of Added Chromium and Space Allocation on Finishing Pig Performance

Effects of Increasing Levels of Copper from Either CuSO4 or Combinations of CuSO4 and a Cu-Amino Acid Complex on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Economics of Finishing Pigs

Effects of Increasing Levels of Copper from Either CuSO4 or Combinations of CuSO4 and a Cu-Amino Acid Complex on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Economics of Finishing Pigs

Effects of diet mix time and ractopamine hydrochloride on finishing pig growth and carcass performance.

Two experiments were completed to determine the effects of diet mix uniformity and ractopamine HCl on finishing pig performance. In Exp. 1, a total of 200 pigs (BW = 90 kg) were used in a 33-d growth assay arranged in a randomized complete block design with 5 pigs/pen and 8 pens/treatment. Treatments were a corn-soybean meal-based control diet mixed for 360 s or the mixed control diet with 10 mg/kg ractopamine added before additional mixing for 0, 30, 120, or 360 s. Chromium was added to the diet and analyzed to determine mix uniformity of the ractopamine. Therefore, this experiment was designed to determine the effects of nutrient utilization from a thoroughly mixed diet with a potentially nonuniform distribution of ractopamine. Pigs fed diets with ractopamine had greater (P < 0.05) ADG, G:F, final BW, HCW, dressing percentage, loin depth, and percentage carcass lean with lower (P = 0.005) 10th rib backfat thickness. Increasing mix time from 0 to 360 s decreased (quadratic, P = 0.001) CV for Cr from 67 to 12% but had no effect on the response to ractopamine for any growth or carcass measurements. In Exp. 2, a total of 160 pigs (BW = 93 kg) were used in a 27-d growth assay arranged in a completely randomized design with 2 pigs/pen and 16 pens/treatment. Treatments were a corn-soybean meal-based control diet mixed for 360 s or the control diet with 10 mg/kg ractopamine mixed for 0, 30, 120, or 360 s. Diet mix uniformity was determined by measuring Cr and using Quantab Cl titrators (low range 0.005 to 0.1% as NaCl; Environmental Test Systems Inc., Elkhart, IN) to measure the concentration of salt. This experiment was designed to determine the combined effects of potentially nonuniform distribution of both nutrients and ractopamine. The use of ractopamine increased (P < 0.05) ADG, G:F, final BW, HCW, dressing percentage, percentage lean, and loin depth. Increasing mix times from 0 to 360 s decreased (quadratic, P = 0.050) CV for salt and Cr from 51 to 12% and 51 to 15%, respectively, with no effect on ADG, ADFI, final BW CV, HCW, dressing percentage, backfat thickness, loin depth, or percentage carcass lean; however, G:F tended to increase (linear, P = 0.07) as mix time increased from 0 to 360 s. In conclusion, increasing mix time of diets from 0 to 360 s did not affect the response of finishing pigs to ractopamine

Wean-to-finish feeder space availability effects on nursery and finishing pig performance and total tract digestibility in a commercial setting when feeding dried distillers grains with solubles1

The study objectives were to determine nursery phase feeder space allowance effects on pig performance when double stocked and, second, to determine feeder space allowance and dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) inclusion level effects on pig performance and nutrient digestibility during the growing-finishing phase. This study was performed on the same group of pigs within a commercial wean-finish system. For the nursery phase, a completely randomized design was used to compare 3 feeder space allowance treatments (2.1, 2.5, and 2.9 cm/pig). A total of 3,720 pigs were randomly allotted to same-sex pens (10 feeders/treatment) housing 62 pigs/pen. Thirty 7-hole, double-sided feeders were utilized in the study. Differing linear feeder space treatments were established by blocking off sections for the nursery and grow-finish portions of this experiment. All pigs were provided equal floor space (0.26 m2/pig). In the grow-finish phase, a total of 1,860 pigs (n = 60 pens) were utilized in a 2 × 3 factorial design with 3 feeder space allowances (4.1, 4.9, or 5.7 cm/pig) and 2 dietary DDGS treatments (30% [D30] or 60% [D60]). Fecal and diet samples were collected and analyzed to estimate apparent total tract digestibility percentage (ATTD %). In the nursery portion of the trial, there was no feeder space treatment effect on ADG, ADFI, or feed efficiency (P > 0.10) from weaning to d 56 postweaning or during any weigh period. In the grow-finish portion of the trial, feeder space allowance and DDGS inclusion level did not affect ADG, ADFI, or feed efficiency (P > 0.05) from d 57 postweaning to market. Pigs fed the D30 diet had greater HCW, percent yield, and loin depth than those on the D60 diet (P < 0.05). Pigs fed the D30 treatment had greater (P < 0.05) ATTD for DM and GE for both collection periods compared with those on the D60 treatment. In summary, feeder space allowance did not impact pig performance during the nursery or grow-finish production phases. Inclusion of DDGS at higher levels will decrease ADFI but not ADG or efficiency when isocaloric diets are fed. The inclusion level of DDGS does impact HCW and percent yield because of increasing intestinal weights when pigs are fed diets containing increasing DDGS inclusion rates. Dry matter and energy digestibility were greater in pigs fed the lower DDGS treatment.

Effects of Standardized Ileal Digestible Lysine Content in Low Crude Protein Diets on Finishing Pig Performance and Economics from 230 to 280 lb

The objective of this study was to estimate the nutritional requirement of standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys on growth performance and economics of 230to 280-lb finishing pigs housed in a commercial environment and fed diets not containing ractopamine HCl. A total of 1,101 gilts (PIC L327 × 1050, initially 233.4 lb BW) were used in a 28-d growth trial. Pens were blocked by BW and were randomly assigned to diets with 27 pigs per pen and 7 pens per treatment in a randomized complete block design. Diets were corn and soybean meal-based and fed in meal form, with dietary treatments consisting of: 0.52, 0.58, 0.64, 0.70, 0.76, or 0.82% SID lysine. Increasing SID Lys increased (linear, P < 0.05) ADG and final BW, resulting in pigs fed 0.82% SID Lys having the greatest final BW. There was no difference in ADFI among pigs fed different SID Lys levels. Feed efficiency was improved (linear, P < 0.05) with increasing SID Lys. In addition, there was an improvement (linear, P < 0.05) in caloric efficiency on both a ME and NE basis with increasing SID Lys. Feed cost per pig increased (linear, P < 0.05) as SID lysine level increased. However, there was no difference in feed cost/lb gain. Total revenue per pig increased (linear, P < 0.05) while income over feed cost (IOFC) tended to increase (linear, P < 0.07) as SID lysine level increased. Quadratic polynomial and broken-line linear models to maximize ADG resulted in similar fit and predicted the SID Lys level required to maximize ADG to be greater than 0.82 and at 0.685% SID Lys, QP vs. BLL, respectively. Using the QP model, 95% of the maximum growth was predicted to be at 0.675% SID Lys. The best F/G was achieved at greater than 0.82 and at 0.648% SID Lys for QP vs. BLL, respectively, with 95% of lowest F/G predicted at 0.638% SID Lys using the QP model. IOFC was maximized by the QP and BLL model at 0.754 and 0.640% SID Lys, respectively. In summary, the SID lysine requirement for optimal ADG, F/G, and IOFC of finishing pigs is at least 0.64% SID Lys.

Evaluating Pellet and Meal Feeding Regimens on Finishing Pig Performance, Stomach Morphology, Carcass Characteristics, and Economics

A total of 2,100 pigs (PIC 327 × 1050, initially 68.8 lb) were used in a 118-d trial to determine the effects of pellet feeding regimens on finishing pig growth performance, stomach morphology, and carcass characteristics. Pens of pigs were balanced by initial BW and randomly allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments (14 pens/treatment with 25 pigs/pen). Pens were sorted by gender allowing for 7 barrow and 7 gilt pens/ treatment. The same corn-soybean meal–based diets containing 15% dried distillers grains with solubles were used for all treatments and fed in 5 phases. The 6 treatments included a meal or pelleted diet fed from d 0 to 118, a meal diet fed from d 0 to 70 and then pellets from d 70 to 118, a pelleted diet fed from d 0 to 70 and then meal from d 70 to 118, or pellets and meal rotated every two weeks starting with meal or pellets. On d 110, 4 pigs from each pen were harvested with the stomachs collected and a combined ulcer and keratinization score determined for each pig. Overall, there were no differences (P > 0.956) for ADG across feeding regimens. Pigs fed meal throughout had the greatest (P 0.10) for any carcass characteristics measured. For economics, feeding a meal diet throughout the experiment increased (P 0.10) for IOFC; however, numerical differences showed that rotating between a pellet and a meal diet improved IOFC by $1 to $2 above feeding a meal diet throughout the finishing period. In conclusion, feeding pelleted diets improved F/G but increased stomach ulceration and removals; however, rotating pellets and meal diets provided an intermediate F/G response without increasing in stomach ulceration and subsequent removals compared to only feeding pelleted diets.