Growth Performance Research Articles

Influence of Ameliorant and Mycorrhiza Application on Growth Performance and Yield of Glutinous Maize

The application of ameliorants combined with mycorrhizal inoculants can enhance the fertility of sandy soil by improving its physical, chemical, and biological properties. This research aims to evaluate the influence of ameliorant and mycorrhiza application on growth performance and yield of glutinous maize. A randomized block design was employed, consisting of five treatments: F1: 75% cow manure + 25% mycorrhizal inoculant; F2: 75% compost + 25% mycorrhizal inoculant; F3: 75% 'Subur' organic fertilizer + 25% mycorrhizal inoculant; F4: 75% rice husk biochar + 25% mycorrhizal inoculant; and F5: a mixture of 20% cow manure, 20% compost, 20% 'Subur' organic fertilizer, 20% rice husk biochar, and 20% mycorrhizal inoculant. The results indicate that the use of a balanced organic ameliorant mixture with 20% mycorrhiza can significantly improve sandy soil fertility, as well as the growth and productivity of glutinous maize. The F5 treatment, which consists of 20% cow manure, 20% compost, 20% 'Subur' organic fertilizer, 20% rice husk biochar, and 20% mycorrhizal inoculant, is recommended as the best practice for cultivating glutinous maize on sandy soils.

Effects of Microencapsulated Essential Oils on Growth and Intestinal Health in Weaned Piglets

The study investigated the effects of microencapsulated essential oils (MEO) on the growth performance, diarrhea, and intestinal microenvironment of weaned piglets. The 120 thirty-day-old weaned piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire, 8.15 ± 0.07 kg) were randomly divided into four groups and were fed with a basal diet (CON) or CON diet containing 300 (L-MEO), 500 (M-MEO), and 700 (H-MEO) mg/kg MEO, respectively, and data related to performance were measured. The results revealed that MEO supplementation increased the ADG and ADFI in weaned piglets (p < 0.05) compared with CON, and reduced diarrhea rates in nursery pigs (p < 0.05). MEO supplementation significantly increased the duodenum’s V:C ratio and the jejunal villi height of weaned piglets (p < 0.05). The addition of MEO significantly increased the T-AOC activity in the jejunum of piglets (p < 0.05), but only L-MEO decreased the MDA concentration (p < 0.01). H-MEO group significantly increases the content of isobutyric acid (p < 0.05) in the piglet colon, but it does not affect the content of other acids. In addition, MEO supplementation improved appetite in the nursery and increased the diversity and abundance of beneficial bacteria in the intestinal microbiome. In conclusion, these findings indicated that MEO supplementation improves growth and intestinal health in weaned piglets.

Hormetic responses to cadmium exposure in wheat seedlings: insights into morphological, physiological, and biochemical adaptations.

Cadmium is commonly recognized as toxic to plant growth, low-level Cd has promoting effects on growth performance, which is so-called hormesis. Although Cd toxicity in wheat has been widely investigated, knowledge of growth response to a broad range of Cd concentrations, especially extremely low concentrations, is still unknown. In this study, the morphological, physiological, and biochemical performance of wheat seedlings to a wide range of Cd concentrations (0-100 µΜ) were explored. Low Cd treatment (0.1-0.5µM) improved wheat biomass and root development by enhancing the photosynthetic system and antioxidant system ability. Photosynthetic rate (Pn) was improved by 5.72% under lower Cd treatment (1 µΜ), but inhibited by 6.05-49.85% from 5 to 100 µΜ. Excessive Cd accumulation induced oxidative injury manifesting higher MDA content, resulting in lower photosynthetic efficiency, stunted growth, and reduction of biomass. Further, the contents of ascorbate, glutathione, non-protein thiols, and phytochelatins were improved under 5-100 µΜ Cd treatment. The ascorbate peroxidase activity in the leaf showed a hormetic dose-response characteristic. Correlation analysis and partial least squares (PLS) results indicated that antioxidant enzymes and metabolites were closely correlated with Cd tolerance and accumulation. The results of the element network, correlation analysis, and PLS showed a crucial role for exogenous Cd levels in K, Fe, Cu, and Mn uptake and accumulation. These results provided a deeper understanding of the hormetic effect of Cd in wheat, which would be beneficial for improving the quality of hazard and risk assessments.

Effects of propolis extract administration on immune parameters, faecal consistency scores, and growth performance of Holstein-Friesian calves.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of Ethanolic Extract of Propolis (EEP) administration on immune parameters, faecal consistency scores, growth performance, and feed efficiency of Holstein Friesian calves. A total of 24 calves were divided into two different groups, control (n = 12) and EEP (n = 12). Both groups consisted of 6 male and 6 female calves. The calves were fed milk amounting to 10% of their birth weight each day until they reached 60days of age. Additionally, they were given starter feed and dry hay once a day. Calves assigned to the EEP group received 4ml of EEP daily. Use of EEP increased (P < 0.05) the serum IgG and IgM levels at 2months of age compared to the control group. EEP also showed efficacy (P < 0.01) in reducing faecal consistency in calves throughout the study. The levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and NF-κB expression in calves treated with EEP were lower (P < 0.05) throughout the EEP application period. On the other hand, IGF-1 mRNA transcript levels were (P < 0.01) higher in EEP group calves than in the control group. Furthermore, EEP-fed calves consumed less dry matter for 1kg of live weight gain during the weaning-4months (P < 0.01) and birth-4months (P < 0.05) periods. These results indicate that EEP supplementation, through its immunostimulatory effects, plays a crucial role in the control of neonatal calf diarrhoea. Growth and development as well as IGF-1, which stimulates growth in almost all somatic cells, was also significantly increased by EEP supplementation. The combined effect of the rich bioactive compounds found in EEP appears to have a significant impact on health and well-being, resulting in improved early life performance in dairy calves.

A Microencapsulated Blend Of Botanicals Supports Weaning Piglets During An Lps Challenge By Modulating Liver Inflammation And Intestinal Integrity.

This study examined the action of a blend of botanicals (BOT) against LPS-induced inflammation on cultured hepatocytes and weaning piglets. In vitro studies examined HepG2 cells treated with BOT and challenged with E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 8 days. BOT treatment reduced IL-6 concentration in cell culture media across time (p < 0.05) and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine expression on day 1 and 8 of experiment (TNFα, IL-1β; p < 0.05). BOT also increased the expression of antioxidant enzymes (GPX-2, SOD, CAT) on day 8 (p < 0.05), which was supported by lowered reactive oxygen species concentration after LPS challenge (p < 0.1). The in vivo study was conducted with 72 weaning pigs, allotted into 24 pens and divided into 3 groups: a negative control (CTR-, basal diet), a challenged control (CTR+) that received an intraperitoneal injection of E. coli O55:B5 LPS on day 14 and 16, and a challenged treated group which received a diet containing 1.5g/Kg of microencapsulated BOT (BOT+) for the whole duration of the study. Growth performance was determined weekly and, on days 21 (one animal per pen) and 28 (remaining animals), pigs were sacrificed to collect liver and jejunal tissues. After challenge, BOT+ pigs had increased BW on day 21 (p < 0.05) and 28 (p < 0.1) compared to CTR+. Similar improvements in ADG and FCR on day 14-21 (p < 0.05) and 21-28 (p < 0.1) were also seen in BOT+ group. In the liver, compared to CTR+ pigs, BOT+ pigs downregulated the expression of TLR-4, IL-6, IFN-γ on day 21 (p < 0.05), and TLR-4, TNF-α, IL-8 on day 28 (p < 0.05). BOT+ also increased GPX-2 expression on day 21 and 28 (p < 0.05), while also upregulating SOD-1 and SOD-2 on day 21 (p < 0.05) and CAT on day 28 (p < 0.05) compared to CTR+. In the jejunum, BOT+ reduced inflammation by affecting cytokine expression (p < 0.05) and increasing the expression of tight-junction proteins, ZO-1 on day 21 and CLD-1 on day 28 (p < 0.05). Furthermore, BOT+ pigs had lower crypt depth on day 21 (p < 0.1) and day 28 (p < 0.05), and increased villi to crypt ratio on day 21 and 28 (p < 0.05). By day 28, BOT+ intestinal measurements were restored to values similar to the CTR-. Finally, BOT+ also reduced mast cell activation on day 21 (p < 0.05) compared to CTR+. Considering all the findings, BOT controlled inflammatory activation and the oxidative stress in liver cells, enhanced intestinal integrity, and as a result improved the growth performance of weaning piglets challenged with LPS.

Effects of cottonseed meal protein hydrolysate on intestinal microbiota of yellow-feather broilers

We evaluated the effects of cottonseed meal protein hydrolysate (CPH) on the intestinal microbiota of yellow-feather broilers. We randomly divided 240 chicks into four groups with six replicates: basal diet with 0% (CON), 1% (LCPH), 3% (MCPH), or 5% (HCPH) CPH. The test lasted 63 days and included days 1–21, 22–42, and 43–63 phases. The ACE, Chao1, and Shannon indices in the MCPH and HCPH groups of 42-day-old broilers were higher than those in the CON group (p &amp;lt; 0.05), indicating that the cecum microbial diversity and richness were higher in these groups. Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the dominant phyla; however, the main genera varied during the different periods. The abundance of Lactobacillus in CPH treatment groups of 21-day-old broilers was high (p &amp;lt; 0.05); in the 42-day-old broilers, the abundances of Barnesiella, Clostridia_vadinBB60_group, and Parasutterella in the LCPH group, Desulfovibrio, Lactobacillus, Clostridia_vadinBB60_group, and Butyricicoccus in the MCPH group, and Megamonas and Streptococcus in the HCPH group increased; in the 63-day-old broilers, the abundance of Clostridia_UCG-014 and Synergistes in the LCPH and HCPH group, respectively, increased (p &amp;lt; 0.05), and that of Alistipes in the LCPH and MCPH groups decreased (p &amp;lt; 0.05). And changes in the abundance of probiotics were beneficial to improve the intestinal morphology and growth performance. In addition, the LCPH treatment increased the complexity of the microbial network, while the MCPH treatment had the same effect in 42-day-old broilers. Thus, CPH increased the relative abundance of beneficial intestinal microbiota and enhanced the richness and diversity of the bacterial microbiota in broilers aged &amp;lt;42 days; this effect was weakened after 42 days.

Growth Performance of Sabia Grass Irrigated by Drippers Installed in Subsurface

Studies to improve the use of subsurface drippers in pasture formation are needed. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the germination and emergence of Sabia grass as a function of drippers installed at different depths. The study was conducted in pots in Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design with four replicates. The experimental layout featured split plots over time, where the main plots consisted of three cultivation cycles and the subplots represented various dripper installation depths. The three sowing dates were 26 March, 12 April, and 29 April 2022. Drip tapes were installed at seven different depths: 0 (superficial), 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 cm. The results showed that the reduction in water potential, associated with increased temperature, resulted in lower performance of Sabia grass seeds. Seed germination and parameters related to germination speed were negatively impacted by the increase in dripper installation depth, with a 30–40% reduction in germination speed observed at depths greater than 15 cm. Drippers installed at 15–20 cm depth in clayey soil were ideal, providing a balance between reducing soil water evaporation and maintaining seedling emergence rates. Compared to surface installation, this depth improved seed performance by up to 25%, while enhancing operability and minimizing water loss. It is recommended to install drippers at a depth of 15–20 cm in subsurface drip irrigation systems in clayey soil areas to achieve benefits such as decreased soil water evaporation and improved operability compared to surface systems.

Ameliorative effects of silymarin on aflatoxin B1 toxicity in weaned rabbits: impact on growth, blood profile, and oxidative stress

Natural plant extracts offer numerous health benefits for rabbits, including improved feed utilization, antimycotic and antiaflatoxigenic effect, antioxidants, immunological modulation, and growth performance. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of silymarin on the performance, hemato-biochemical indices, antioxidants, and villus morphology. A total of 45 Moshtohor 4 weeks old weaned male rabbits were randomly allocated into three groups (15 rabbit/each) each group with 5 replicates. The first group served as the control group feed on an infected diet by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) 0.02 mg/kg BW, while the second and third groups received an infected diet by AFB1 (0.02 mg/kg BW) and was treated with Silymarin 20 mg/kg BW/day or 30 mg/kg BW/day, respectively. Regarding the growth performance, silymarin supplementation significantly improved the final body weight compared with the control group. Physiologically, silymarin induced high level of dose-dependent total red blood cell count, hematocrit, eosinophils, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, superoxid dismutase, catalase activity, total antioxidant capacityand intestinal villi width and length. Moreover, silymarin significantly restricted oxidative stress indicators, malondialdehyde, Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total cholesterol, triglyceridein rabbits treated with (AFB1). In conclusion, silymarin supplementation to AFB1 contaminated rabbit diet may mitigate the negative effect of AFB1 on the rabbit performance and health status and increase growth performance, average daily gain, immunological modulation and antioxidants and provide a theoretical basis for the application of silymarin in livestock production.

Effect of Low-Proportion Replacement of Dietary Fishmeal with Neanthes japonica Meal on Growth Performance, Body Composition, Muscle Texture, Serum Biochemistry, Digestive Enzymes and Gene Expression in Juvenile Tiger Puffer Takifugu rubripes

The polychaeta Neanthes japonica is a common by-product in mariculture ponds. It is rich in essential nutrients, but has not been well-explored. Therefore, this 56-day experiment investigated the effects of substituting N. japonica meal for dietary fishmeal on juvenile tiger puffer (15.49 ± 0.02 g, n = 450 fish). The control diet (CON) contained 40% fishmeal. Freeze-dried N. japonica meal (FNM) was supplemented into CON at the levels of 3% (FNM3), 6% (FNM6), and 9% (FNM9), replacing fishmeal. The fifth diet contained 6% oven-dried N. japonica meal (ONM6), replacing fishmeal. The results indicated that no significant difference was observed in growth, feed efficiency, and somatic index among all the treatment groups. The feed intake of the FNM6 group was significantly higher compared to CON. No significant difference was detected in fish proximate composition, as well as the fatty acid composition, amino acid composition, and muscle texture. The supplementation of N. japonica meal decreased the activities of intestinal lipase and α-amylase. The addition of freeze-dried N. japonica meal significantly up-regulated the expression of the intestinal amino-glycine transporter pat1. It was concluded that adding 9% N. japonica meal to the feed had no significant effect on the growth performance and body composition of juvenile tiger puffer.

Corrigendum: Dihydromyricetin improves growth performance, immunity, and intestinal functions in weaned pigs challenged by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

Corrigendum: Dihydromyricetin improves growth performance, immunity, and intestinal functions in weaned pigs challenged by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

Fishery wastes as feed additive for the red claw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus: Impact on growth, biochemical composition, and digestive activity

One of the challenges in aquaculture is reducing the use of fishmeal to alleviate pressure on aquatic ecosystems while maintaining protein quality and digestibility. A promising approach is the supplementation of diets with exogenous enzymes, a strategy widely used in aquaculture nutrition but scarcely explored in crustaceans. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a diet composed of 65 % plant-based and 25 % animal-based ingredients, supplemented with a multienzyme extract derived from discards of the native Argentine shrimp Pleoticus muelleri, on juveniles of the red claw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus. Growth performance, endogenous digestive enzyme activities, and biochemical reserves (proteins, lipids, and glycogen) in hepatopancreas and pleon muscle were analyzed. Sixty-two crayfish weighting ⁓1.5 g were assigned to one of the following treatments: a control diet (C) or a diet supplemented with multienzyme extract (E). Crayfish were individually housed under optimal growing conditions and fed daily 3 % of their body mass; deaths and molts were recorded throughout the experiment. At day 45, fifteen replicates from each treatment were selected, weighed, anesthetized, and sacrificed. The hepatopancreas and pleon were dissected and weighed for biochemical analysis and assessment of digestive enzyme activity. The remaining replicates were subjected to the same procedure at the end of the experiment (day 90). Results showed that endogenous digestive enzymes were modulated by the multienzyme extract. Juveniles fed diet E significantly increased the specific activity of endogenous digestive peptidases and showed a trend of increasing lipases. The multienzyme extract also promoted lipid accumulation in hepatopancreas, increased glycogen in muscle, and reduced protein content in both tissues. These metabolic changes did not improve growth, as no significant differences in final weight were observed between treatments. The results highlight the need to analyze the synergy between varying concentrations of the multienzyme extract and endogenous enzymes within different protein: lipid ratios in diets, to enhance the digestive potential of crayfish and to improve growth.

Enhancing calcium and phosphorus utilization in broiler chickens with phytase in sequential calcium-phosphorus-deficient diets

ABSTRACT In this trial, a 3 × 2 factorial design was implemented with dietary treatments consisting of Diet-1 (1.00% calcium [Ca], 0.45% available phosphorus [P]), Diet-2 (0.80% Ca, 0.35% P), and Diet-3 (0.70% Ca, 0.30% P), alongside two phytase levels: 0 and 5,000 FTU/kg. A total of 540 Ross-308 broilers were used. Significant improvements (P < 0.05) in body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), live weight, carcass weight, and yield were observed in Diet-1 and Diet-2 when supplemented with phytase compared to Diet-3. Gross energy (GE) increased significantly (P < 0.05) with phytase in Diet-1 and Diet-2. Bone ash content was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in Diet-1 and Diet-2, with tibia Ca levels notably improved (P < 0.05) in Diet-1. Phytase supplementation also resulted in significantly elevated (P < 0.05) serum Ca and available P in Diet-1. The application of phytase restored body weight gain, live weight, carcass weight, GE, and tibia P in Diet-2. Overall, the findings highlight the beneficial effects of phytase supplementation on growth performance, bone mineralization, and nutrient utilization.

Investigating the availability of omega-3 fatty acid from different sources and its effect on table eggs

The impact of three different commercial omega-3 fortifying agents on the growth performance, egg weight, egg production, and omega-3 fatty acid enrichment of white table eggs in layers was investigated. The experiment involved 12,000-layer birds randomly divided into four groups, with each group replicated three times and consisting of 1000 birds per replicate. The three groups, namely LP, AG, and DD, were supplemented with omega-3 fortifying agents LinPro, All-G-Rich, and DHA-gold, respectively, while the fourth group NC served as a negative control without omega-3 fortifying agent supplementation. The experiment commenced after the 25th week of age and lasted for a period of four weeks in a completely randomized design. Egg weight and egg production were recorded weekly, while the omega-3 fatty acid content of the white eggs was determined at the end of the 30-day trial after the 25th week of age. The supplementation of different omega-3 fortifying agents significantly impacted feed intake, with notable differences observed among weekly and overall means. Birds supplemented with LinPro consumed less feed during the 2nd and 4th week of the trial compared to the control, resulting in an overall reduction of 1.1 g/chick in feed intake. However, supplementation did not significantly affect the body weight of layers throughout the trial, nor did it impact egg weight or production. Nevertheless, the omega-3 fortifying agents had a significant effect on the omega-3 fatty acid content of the white table eggs in layers. LinPro supplementation notably increased α-linolenic acid (18:3; ALA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5; EPA) levels, while DHA-Gold resulted in the highest docosahexaenoic acid (22:6; DHA) content. Total fatty acid content was highest in eggs from layers supplemented with LinPro, followed by DHA-Gold and All-G-Rich, with the lowest levels observed in the control group. These findings suggest that dietary supplementation of LinPro in layer diets post the 25th week of age could effectively enhance the omega-3 fatty acid content of white table eggs without compromising feed intake, body weight, egg weight, or egg production.

The Use of Pomace as Animal Feed: A Review of Grape and Tomato Pomace

Pomace is generated in large quantities yearly; high water content and bulkiness make it difficult to be easily disposed of thereby contributing to environmental pollution and providing breeding space for flies which can transmit diseases. Incorporating the pomace generated from grape and tomato fruits in animal nutrition will improve sustainable agriculture; the animals will also benefit from the polyphenols in the pomace which can improve their antioxidant status thereby improving animal health and welfare. Pomace consists of unfermentable sugars, tannins, anthocyanins, lycopene, and cellulose which have natural antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. This review focused on the utilization of grape and tomato pomace as feedstuff for animals, the knowledge gap in the use of pomace in animal nutrition was also outlined. Supplementation of pomace generated from grape and tomato was evaluated on animal growth and reproductive performance, health, oxidative stress, animal products and gut health. In conclusion, incorporating agro-industrial byproducts into animal diet can be beneficial to farm animals by improving their health, welfare, performance as well as the environment, thereby leading to a more sustainable agricultural practice.

PSVI-26 The benefits of probiotics (L. plantarum and L. acidophilus) supplement in growth performance, egg production, gas emission and gut microbiome diversity in Hy-Line brown laying hens

Abstract During the past few decades, antibiotics have been widely used at subtherapeutic doses to improve growth rates and performance in the poultry industry. However, antibiotics can result in side effects including bacterial resistance; these side effects often have detrimental consequences for human health. Thus, the poultry sector was urged to seek alternative strategies to promote animal performance. One environmentally friendly approach to growth promotion involves the use of probiotics, which have been used in the poultry industry for decades. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with Lactobacillus spp. (L. plantarum and L. acidophilus) on growth performance, egg production, gas emission and gut microbiota diversity in laying hens. A total of 192 Hy-Line brown laying hens were randomly divided into four groups and assigned to one of four dietary treatments for 12 wk. The test treatments were basal diet (TRT1), basal + 0.25% antibiotic (TRT2), and basal + 0.1% probiotics (TRT3), and basal + 0.2% probiotics (TRT4). Laying hens fed a diet supplemented with 0.2% probiotics showed increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) egg production in wk 9, 10, and 12. Moreover, fecal ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emissions were reduced (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in the probiotic groups. Microbiome analysis showed increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) species richness in the probiotic groups, as indicated by Chao1 and Shannon indices, but a decrease (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in species diversity according to the Simpson index, suggesting a specific microbial community development due to probiotic supplementation. In conclusion, this study provides us with an insight into the potential use Lactobacillus spp. probiotic as a food supplement in the laying hen industry also provides us with a better understanding of the interplay between Lactobacillus spp. and the gut microbiome diversity in laying hens.

PSVII-29 Integrating hybrid rye into organic pig production to reduce feed and bedding costs

Abstract An obstacle to profitable organic swine production is the high cost of feed and bedding. We evaluated whether growing hybrid rye for organic feed and bedding for pigs was economically viable by replacing corn with hybrid rye and evaluating pig growth performance and feed and bedding costs. Hybrid rye was grown on certified organic land at WCROC in 2022 and 2023. Rye grain and straw were used in a feeding trial with pigs raised according to the National Organic Standards. The animal trial consisted of three replicates. Each replicate included 100 pigs in two pens (Control vs. Rye, 50 pigs/pen) in a bedded hoop barn. Control pigs were fed corn soybean meal-based diets and Rye pigs were fed diets with 50% of corn in the control diets replaced by hybrid rye. Each replicate lasted for about 12 wk until pigs reached market weight (120 kg). Pigs were weighed individually at the beginning, every 4 wk thereafter, and at the conclusion of the study. Feed disappearance was recorded on a pen basis at the time of weighing pigs. Growth performance[average daily gain(ADG), average daily daily feed intake (ADFI), and Gain: Feed] was calculated for each weigh period. Carcass weight was recorded at harvest and dressing percent was calculated for each pig. Bedding usage was recorded for each pen (Control pen = wheat straw, Rye pen = rye straw) and average usage for each pig was calculated. Growth performance and bedding usage data were analyzed using the Proc Glimmix Procedures of SAS, with dietary treatment as the fixed effect, replicate as the random effect, and pen as the experimental unit. Production costs were set at $239/ha for organic rye grain and $20/ha for rye straw baling according to the FINBIN Database, and the unit costs ($/kg) were calculated based on yield for each year. Prices for organic corn, soybean meal, base mix, wheat straw, and market pigs were based on market prices (Table 1). Yield of organic hybrid rye grain at WCROC was 1,070 and 712 kg/ha in 2022 and 2023, respectively, with corresponding rye straw yield being 661 and 367 kg/ha. The reduction in rye yield in 2023 was considered due to drought. No difference was detected in growth performance, dressing percent, or bedding usage between Control and Rye pigs (all P &amp;gt; 0.19; Table 1). Replacing 50% of corn with hybrid rye saved $9.6/pig in 2022, but cost $7.20/pig more for feed in 2023, due to changes in hybrid rye grain yield. Savings on bedding were $15.40 and $13.20/pig for 2022 and 2023, respectively. Results indicate that replacing 50% of corn with hybrid rye in feed did not negatively affect growth performance of pigs raised organically, but the economic viability of integrating hybrid rye into organic pig production may depend on crop yield.

PSLBI-21 Interactive effects of dietary betaine supplementation and soybean hulls inclusion on growth performance and carcass composition of young growing pigs

Abstract Growing barrow pigs [n = 24; Large White x Landrace x Duroc; 29.51 ± 3.24 kg initial body weight (BW)] were assigned to 4 treatments in a 2 x 2 factorial design to evaluate the synergistic effects of dietary levels of betaine (BET; 0 and 0.1%) and soybean hulls (SBH; 0 and 15%) on growth performance and carcass composition. Pigs were blocked by initial BW and housed in individual pens with ad libitum access to feed and water for a 28-d feeding period. Pigs were weighed and feed intake was recorded at 14-d intervals. Real-time ultrasonic (RTU) measurements of the 10th-rib longissimus dorsi muscle area (LMA) and off-midline backfat thickness (BF) were obtained initially and on d 28 for all pigs. Prediction equations were used to estimate total fat tissue (TOFAT) and fat-free total lean (FFTOLN) from the measurements. All data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of the SAS software. Growth performance data were analyzed as repeated measures on time and carcass data were analyzed as single measures with the respective baseline values used as covariate in the statistical model. There were no SBH x BET interactions for growth response variables. Pig growth was not affected by dietary BET supplementation. During the first 14 d of the study, pigs fed 15% SBH had decreased average daily gain (ADG; P = 0.01), average daily feed intake (ADFI; P = 0.02), and feed efficiency [gain:fee; (G:F;P = 0.04)] when compared with pigs fed diets without SBH. From d 15 to 28, dietary addition of 15% SBH reduced ADFI (P = 0.01), whereas no significant effects on the other growth performance variables were observed. Overall, when compared with pigs fed diets without SBH, pigs fed diets with 15% SBH had reduced feed intake (P = 0.01) and ADG (P = 0.04), which resulted in lighter pigs (P = 0.03) at the completion of the feeding trial. A SBH x BET interaction (P = 0.04) was observed for LMA, with decreased values (P &amp;lt; 0.05) detected for BET-supplemented pigs only when SBH was not included in the diet. No additional carcass composition traits were altered by BET supplementation. Including 15% SBH to the diet decreased BF (P = 0.05) and TOFAT (P = 0.04) in growing pigs. Neither BET supplementation nor SBH inclusion affected FFTOLN. In conclusion, adding supplemental BET to diets with SBH did not synergistically alter nutrient partitioning of young growing pigs. Although no beneficial effects of BET supplementation on growth and carcass composition traits were observed, feeding pigs diets containing 15% SBH resulted in slower growth rates with less fat deposition.

PSVIII-9 Effects of growth implants and timing of vaccination on calf immunity and growth performance

Abstract This study assessed calf growth performance and blood parameters of beef calves under different growth implants and timing of vaccination protocols. Crossbreed beef calves (n = 59) were stratified by birth body weight (BW) and age (41 ± 5.2 kg of BW and 70 ± 8 d of age) and randomly assigned in a split-plot design with implant strategy as the main plot and timing of vaccination as the subplot. The main plot (treatment) consisted of 3 implant strategies: 1) Synovex C (SC; n = 20; 100 mg progesterone/10 mg estradiol benzoate, or 2) Synovex One Grower (SG; n = 19; 150 mg trenbolone acetate and 21 mg estradiol benzoate; or 3) no implant (CON; n = 20). Subplot treatments were the timing of vaccination booster against bovine respiratory disease pathogens on 1) weaning (WV; n = 29) or 2) 7-d post-weaning (PWV; n = 30). Cow-calf pairs were treated alike in a single pasture during the pre-weaning phase, receiving the same vaccine (Bovi-Shield Gold One Shot and Ultrabac 7) on d 0 (implantation day) and booster time (WV or PWV). After weaning (approximately 187 d of age), calves were allocated in a single pen receiving ad libitum hay until d 60 post-weaning. Body weight and blood were collected on d 0, weaning, d 0 and 28 relative to vaccination booster, and d 60 post-weaning. Blood was collected to determine insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), cortisol, and leptin concentrations and to perform a complete blood cell count. WV calves had decreased cortisol concentrations on booster day and 28 d post-vaccine (P = 0.01). Regardless of implant treatment, calves tended to have decreased IGF-1 concentrations 28-d post-vaccine booster (P = 0.09). An effect of treatment (P &amp;lt; 0.01) was detected for lymphocyte counts, with CON having greater concentrations vs. SG and SC calves. A treatment × timing of vaccination (P &amp;lt; 0.01) interaction was detected for monocyte counts, where SG-PWV calves had the greatest concentrations. A treatment effect (P &amp;lt; 0.02) was observed for eosinophil percentage, where SG had reduced percentages than CON, while SC was intermediate. An effect of treatment was detected for leptin (P &amp;lt; 0.01), with SG calves having the least, CON being intermediate, and SC the greatest concentrations. From d 0 to 60 d post-weaning, SG tended to have greater ADG (P ≤ 0.07) compared with CON, while SC was intermediate. On d 28 and d 35 post-weaning, calves implanted with SG were heavier (P ≤ 0.04) than the CON but not than SC. In summary, this study demonstrates that growth implants and timing of vaccination significantly affect both physiological parameters and growth performance in beef calves. Implanting calves with Synovex One Grower resulted in improved growth performance.

Impacts of substituting fish meal with full-fat or defatted black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae on growth, quality, and health of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings

This study investigated the use of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae (BSFL), provided in either full-fat (FBSF) or defatted (DBSF) forms, as an alternative protein source in the diet of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings. Specifically, the influence was assessed of BSFL on growth performance, hematological parameters, body composition, and histology. Nine diets (including the control) were formulated to be isonitrogenous (35 % crude protein) and isolipidic (6 % crude lipid), relying on fish meal as the primary protein source and gradually replacing it with BSFL meal at levels of 25 %, 50 %, 75 %, or 100 % on an equivalent protein basis, corresponding to dietary inclusion levels of 5.25 %, 10.25 %, 15.5 %, and 20.0 %, respectively. Fish with an initial mean weight ± standard deviation of 1.3 ± 0.26 g were fed for 12 weeks until the fish final weight was in the range 24.08–34.95 g. Based on the results, there were no significant (p>0.05) differences in the growth performance or feed conversion ratios among the treatments. Additionally, there were no significant differences in the hematological responses or the proximate body composition. Furthermore, 100 % substitution of fish meal with FSFL and DBSF meal caused blood congestion in the hepatopancreas region and several intraepithelial leukocytes in the intestine. There were no detrimental impacts at levels of 25 %, 50 %, and 75 % on growth performance, hematological responses, body composition, or the intestines or liver histological characteristics of the O. niloticus fingerlings. This information should provide useful guidance for the management of Nile tilapia, an economically important species.

PSII-16 Effect of dietary β-mannanase on growth performance, immune organ weight, and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens: A meta-analysis

Abstract Beta-mannan (β-mannan) is commonly found in various feedstuffs and is well-recognized as an anti-nutritional factor for non-ruminant animals. In broiler chickens, dietary β-mannan is known to increase digesta viscosity, which is highly associated with decreased growth performance and intestinal health. Moreover, dietary β-mannan comprises surface components of various pathogens, which are recognized by innate immune systems, leading to an over-stimulation of immune system. This over-expression of immune system by dietary β-mannan is likely considered the reason for decreased performance and health in broiler chickens. One potential solution to mitigate this antinutritional effect of dietary β-mannan is the supplementation of exogenous β-mannanase in broiler diets. Previous studies have demonstrated that dietary supplementation of β-mannanase improves growth performance, immune responses, and intestinal morphology in broiler chickens by improving nutrient digestion and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. However, existing research on the effect of dietary supplementation of β-mannanase has shown highly variable results, possibly due to large variations in experimental designs such as number of animals, animal genotype, experimental locations, and rearing conditions. Therefore, to obtain a comprehensive understanding of previously reported various results regarding the effect of dietary β-mannanase, it is necessary to integrate them into quantitative analysis through meta-analysis. Subsequently, the objective of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis summarizing the outcomes of the effect of dietary β-mannanase on growth performance, immune organ weight, and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens. A total of 27 eligible studies were identified through a comprehensive literature search conducted on Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar between January 2003 and December 2023. The meta-analysis was performed with the package “metafor” of the R software version 4.1.3. (R Core Team, 2023), and the standardized mean difference (SMD) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using the random effect model. The results indicated that dietary supplementation of β-mannanase increased body weight gain (SMD = 2.09; 95% CI: 0.77 to 3.41; P = 0.003) and decreased feed conversion ratio (SMD = -2.98; 95% CI: -4.21 to -1.75; P &amp;lt; 0.001) in broiler chickens (Table 1). Regarding intestinal morphology, dietary supplementation of β-mannanase increased jejunal villus height and crypt depth ratio (SMD = 2.07; 95% CI: 0.03 to 4.11; P = 0.048) and ileal villus height (SMD =2.06; 95% CI: 1.13 to 3.00; P = 0.002; Figure 1 and 2). Moreover, dietary supplementation of β-mannanase increased the relative spleen weight (SMD = 1.30; 95% CI: 0.25 to 2.36; P = 0.019) in broiler chickens. In conclusion, the current meta-analysis reveals that dietary supplementation of β-mannanase improves growth performance, intestinal morphology, and the relative spleen weight in broiler chickens.