Income Over Feed Cost Research Articles

Conflict over Cooperation: Why So Much Disagreement over the Proposed Dairy Market Stabilization Program?

Abstract The creation of a Dairy Market Stabilization Program (DMSP) is a current topic of contention in the discussion of United States federal dairy policy. DMSP is designed to speed up income over feed cost (IOFC) margin recovery through triggered disincentives for milk production. This federally mandated supply control with its price-enhancing benefits to producers has proven to be controversial. The controversy surrounding DMSP implementation is illuminated by the construction of a stylized prisoner’s dilemma game in which DMSP acts as an enforceable commitment mechanism to restrict supply and prop up prices when feed costs experience an adverse shock. Volatile and high feed costs are likely to be the norm for the foreseeable future resulting in large expected benefits to milk producers if DMSP is implemented. The game shows that differing dairy management styles lead to different incentives regarding DMSP implementation as producer groups from feed-growing regions oppose DMSP in an effort to raise the costs of their rivals in feed-buying regions. Opposition to DMSP by feed growers can lead to increased market share and profitability in the future.

Effects of added zinc in diets with ractopamine HCl on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and zinc concentrations in plasma, loin, and liver of finishing pigs (2013)

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of added Zn from zinc oxide (ZnO) or Availa-Zn (AZ; Zinpro, Eden Prairie, MN) on growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs fed ractopamine HCl (RAC; Paylean; Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN). In Exp. 1, a total of 320 pigs (PIC 327 × 1050, initially 215.9 lb) were used in a 35-d study. Pens of pigs were randomly allotted to 1 of 8 dietary treatments, with either 2 barrows or 2 gilts per pen and 20 pens per treatment. Dietary treatments included: a corn-soybean meal–based negative control (0.66% standardized ileal digestible [SID] lysine); a positive control diet (0.92% SID lysine) containing 10 ppm of RAC; and the RAC diet plus 75, 150, or 225 ppm added Zn from ZnO or AZ. The trace mineral premix provided a basal level of 55 ppm Zn from Zn Sulfate (ZnSO4) in all diets. In Exp. 1, overall (d 0 to 35), pigs fed RAC had improved (P < 0.04) ADG, F/G, d-35 BW, caloric efficiency on an ME and NE basis, HCW, carcass ADG and F/G, loin depth, percentage lean, and carcass caloric efficiency on an ME and NE basis, and reduced (P < 0.01) ADFI and backfat thickness compared with pigs fed the control diet. No evidence of a Zn effect or an interaction between Zn source and level was observed. Performance and IOFC did not differ in pigs fed diets with added Zn from either source. In Exp. 2, a total of 1,234 pigs (PIC 337 × 1050; initially 228.6 lb) were used in a 28-d study. Pens contained 23 to 28 pigs with either all barrow, all gilt, or mixed-sex allotments. Pens of pigs were blocked by BW, feeder type, and gender and were randomly assigned to diets. The 4 dietary treatments consisted of (1) a corn-soybean meal–based negative control diet (0.70% SID lysine); (2) a positive control diet (0.92% SID lysine) containing 10 ppm RAC; or the RAC diet plus 50 ppm added Zn from ZnO (3) or AZ (4). All diets contained 80 ppm Zn from ZnO provided by the trace mineral premix. On d 14, the 6 heaviest pigs from each pen (determined visually) were individually tattooed by pen and harvested to allow for carcass data collection, and on d 28, the remaining pigs were individually tattooed by pen and harvested to allow for carcass data collection. Overall (d 0 to 28), pigs fed RAC had improved (P < 0.001) ADG, F/G, final BW, and caloric efficiency on an ME and NE basis. Added Zn or Zn source did not affect (P > 0.20) growth performance. For pigs harvested on d 14, pigs fed RAC had improved (P < 0.001) carcass ADG, F/G, income over feed cost (IOFC), and carcass caloric efficiency on an ME and NE basis and a tendency for increased HCW, loin depth, and percentage lean compared with those fed the negative control diet. No differences were observed in carcass characteristics (P > 0.11) between pigs fed RAC diets and diets containing added Zn; however, pigs fed diets with added Zn from ZnO had increased (P < 0.05) carcass F/G, carcass yield, carcass IOFC, and carcass caloric efficiency on an ME and NE basis compared with those fed Zn from AZ. For pigs harvested on d 28, pigs fed RAC had improved (P < 0.01) HCW, carcass ADG and F/G, backfat thickness, loin depth, percentage lean, carcass IOFC, and carcass caloric efficiency on an ME and NE basis. No differences were observed in carcass characteristics between pigs fed RAC, and no additional Zn and diets containing added Zn from either source. Carcass characteristics did not differ in pigs fed diets with added Zn from ZnO vs. AZ. In conclusion, we observed improvements in growth and carcass performance from adding RAC similar to previous studies. In contrast with our previous research, these data indicate that adding Zn to finishing pig diets containing RAC did not improve overall performance. Consistent with the earlier research, income over feed cost (IOFC) was numerically increased with the addition of Zn.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 21, 2013

Effect of feed supplements on dry season milk yield and profitability of crossbred cows in Honduras

The contribution of dry season silage feeding on daily milk yield (MY) and dairying profitability in terms of income over feed cost (IOFC) was evaluated in dual-purpose cattle production systems in Honduras. MY records of 34 farms from two milk collection centres were collected over a 2-year period. Farms were surveyed to obtain information on the type, quantity and cost of supplemented feed, breed type and number of lactating cows in each month. Farms were classified in silage farms (SF, with a short silage supplementation period), non-silage farms (NSF) and prototype farms (PF, with an extended silage supplementation period). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and a linear mixed model approach. PF had significantly higher MY than SF and NSF but, due to higher expenses for both concentrate and silage, similar IOFC compared to NSF. SF had similar MY but lower IOFC compared to NSF, due to higher feed expenses. The effect of silage feeding, particularly maize silage, on MY was significant and superior to that of other forage supplements. Silage supplementation contributed to the highest MY and IOFC on farms with crossbred cows of >62.5 % Bos taurus and to the second highest profitability on farms with >87.5 % Bos indicus share. It is concluded that silage can play an important role in drought-constrained areas of the tropics and can contribute to profitable dairying, irrespective of breed.

Mean-reversion in income over feed cost margins: Evidence and implications for managing margin risk by US dairy producers

With the increased volatility of feed prices, dairy farm managers are no longer concerned with managing only milk price volatility, but are considering the adoption of risk management programs that address income over feed cost (IOFC) margin risk. Successful margin risk management should be founded on an understanding of the behavior of IOFC margins. To that end, we have constructed forward IOFC margins using Class III milk, corn, and soybean meal futures prices. We focus on the characteristics of the term structure of forward IOFC margins, that is, the sequence of forward margins for consecutive calendar months, all observed on the same trading day. What is apparent from the shapes of these term structures is that both in times when margins were exceptionally high and in times when they were disastrously low, market participants expected that a reversal back to average margin levels would not come quickly, but rather would take up to 9mo. Slopes of the forward margin term structure before and after most of the major swings in IOFC indicate these shocks were mostly unanticipated, whereas the time needed for recovery to normal margin levels was successfully predicted. This suggests that IOFC margins may exhibit slow mean-reverting, rather than predictable cyclical behavior, as is often suggested in the popular press. This finding can be exploited to design a successful catastrophic risk management program by initiating protection at 9 to 12mo before futures contract maturity. As a case study, we analyzed risk management strategies for managing IOFC margins that used Livestock Gross Margin for Dairy Cattle insurance contracts and created 2 farm profiles. The first one represents dairy farms that grow most of their feed, whereas the second profile is designed to capture the risk exposure of dairy farms that purchase all their dairy herd, dry cow, and heifer feed. Our case study of this program encompasses the 2009 period, which was characterized by exceptionally poor IOFC margin conditions. We analyzed the dynamics of realized IOFC margins in 2009 under 4 different risk management strategies and found that optimal strategies that were founded on the principles delineated above succeeded in reducing the decline in IOFC margins in 2009 by 93% for the Home-Feed profile and by 47% for the Market-Feed profile, and they performed substantially better than alternative strategies suggested by earlier literature.

INCOME OVER FEED COST FOR SMALL- TO MEDIUM-SCALE BEEF CATTLE FATTENING OPERATIONS IN EAST JAVA

An evaluation was conducted of the returns to fattening cattle of small- and medium-scaleenterprises in East Java. The objective was to analyze income over feed costs (IOFC) based on locallyavailable feedstuffs to increase liveweight gain. The study was conducted during July-September 2010and January-March 2011, representing relative dry and wet season. The breeds were PO and Limousinand Simmental crossed with PO (LimPO and SimPO). Small-scale farmers owning 1-2 bulls andmedium-scale farmers fattening 10-20 bulls in one period. Fattening period was 58 and 46 days,respectively for dry and wet season. Monthly measurements included liveweight, feed intake, input andoutput prices. Mean values of growth rates and IOFC were compared using t-tests. The results indicatedthat, for small-scale operations, SimPO bulls gave a significantly higher return than either PO or LimPObulls. Likewise, LimPO gave a higher IOFC than SimPO in medium-scale operations. Small-scalefarmers achieved equal or higher IOFC for European-cross than medium-scale farmers in both seasons.This reflects that cash outlays for feed were about two-thirds that of medium-scale operations whiledaily growth rates were similar. Small-scale fattening operations using European-cross can befinancially competitive with medium-scale operations in both wet and dry seasons.

Evaluation of feeding budgeting strategy or complete diet blending on finishing pig growth performance and carcass characteristics (2012)

A total of 252 mixed-sex pigs (PIC 327 × 1050; initial BW = 79.8 ± 0.9 lb BW) were used in a 95-d growth study to compare feed-budgeting strategies and complete diet blending for finishing pigs on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and economics. Feed was delivered to all pens of pigs using a computerized feed delivery system (FeedPro, Feedlogic Corp., Willmar, MN) that is capable of delivering and dispensing 2 separate diets. Four experimental treatments had 9 pens/treatment and 7 pigs/pen in a randomized complete block design. Dietary treatments included: (1) standard 4-phase (0.91, 0.77, 0.67, and 0.61% standardized ileal digestible [SID] lysine, respectively) complete feed program (Standard), (2) blending a high- and low-lysine complete diet to meet the estimated daily SID lysine requirement from d 0 to d 95 (Curve), (3) Treatment 1 diets with 20% greater feed budget allowance per phase (Over), and (4) Treatment 1 diets with 20% lower feed budget allowance per phase (Under). Diets were corn-soybean meal–based with no added fat. The standard diet was budgeted at 117, 138, 158, and 175 lb for Phases 1 through 4, respectively. Overall (d 0 to 95), no differences (P ≥ 0.11) were observed in ADG, ADFI, F/G, or final BW among pigs fed the budgeting strategy diets. Pigs phase-fed a standard phase-feeding program tended to have heavier (P = 0.09) HCW than pigs fed the Curve and tended to have (P = 0.10) greater percentage carcass yield than those fed the Curve or the Over diet. No differences (P ≥ 0.14) were observed in percentage lean, fat depth, or loin depth. Pigs fed diets blended to a lysine curve had lower feed costs (P < 0.004) than all three phase-feeding treatments, but because of heavier HCW, pigs fed the standard feed budget had greater (P = 0.05) revenue per pig and tended to have greater (P = 0.10) income over feed cost (IOFC) under two separate diet and carcass price scenarios compared with pigs fed with the Curve, with pigs over- and under-budgeted remaining intermediate. Over- and under-budgeting situations in phase feeding programs had minimal impact on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and net returns; furthermore, feeding blended diets to a lysine curve did not improve growth performance and led to lower total revenue than using a standard feed budget.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 15, 2012

Effects of standardized ileal digestible tryptophan:lysine ratio in diets containing 30% dried distiller grains with solubles on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs in a commercial environment (2010)

Two experiments were performed to determine the effects of increasing standardized ileal digestible (SID) tryptophan to lysine (trp:lys) ratio in growing-finishing pig diets containing 30% dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). In both experiments, soybean meal replaced crystalline lysine and threonine to alter the dietary SID trp:lys concentrations while maintaining minimum ratios of other amino acids. In Exp. 1, a total of 638 pigs (PIC 1050 x 337, initially 80.0 lb) were used in a 105-d trial with 26 to 27 pigs per pen and 6 pens per treatment. Pens of pigs were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 dietary treatments with standardized ileal digestible trp:lys ratios of 14.0, 15.0, 16.5, and 18.0%. All diets were fed in meal form and treatments were fed in 4 phases. For the overall trial, ADG and ADFI increased (linear; P < 0.001) as trp:lys increased through 18%; however, the response tended to be quadratic from d 0 to 42, with optimal ADG and ADFI at 16.5% SID trp:lys. Feed efficiency was not influenced by SID trp:lys ratio. Although feed cost per pig increased (linear; P < 0.001) as SID trp:lys ratio increased, so did (linear; P < 0.04) final live weight, HCW, income per pig, and income over feed cost (IOFC). The results of this experiment indicated the optimal SID trp:lys ratio was 16.5% from 80 to 160 lb, but at least 18% from 160 to 265 lb. In Exp. 2, a total of 1,214 pigs (PIC 1050 x 337, initially 146.2 lb) were used in a 73-d finishing trial with 25 to 28 pigs per pen and 9 pens per treatment. Pens of pigs were randomly allotted to 1 of 5 treatment groups. Pigs were fed common diets before the start of the experiment. Dietary treatments included corn-soybean meal-based diets with SID trp:lys ratios of 15.0, 16.5, 18.0, and 19.5, and the 15.0% diet with L-tryptophan added to achieve 18.0% SID trp:lys ratio. Overall (d 0 to 73), ADG, ADFI, F/G, final weight, and HCW improved (linear; P < 0.03) as dietary SID trp:lys increased through 19.5%. Increasing SID trp:lys increased (linear; P < 0.001) feed cost per pig, but also increased (P < 0.01) total income per pig. While there were no differences on an IOFC basis, pigs fed the highest level of SID trp:lys had numerically the greatest IOFC. Overall, there were no significant differences between the diet with 18.0%

Evaluation of feed budgeting, complete diet blending, and corn-supplement blending on finishing-pig performance (2010)

A total of 283 pigs (PIC TR4 × 1050, initially 77.2 ± 1.4 lb BW) were used to compare phase feeding with blending finishing diets by using the FeedPro system (Feedlogic Corporation, Willmar, MN). There were 3 experimental treatments: (1) a standard 4-phase complete feed program, (2) blending highand low-lysine complete diets over the entire experiment, and (3) blending ground corn and a separate complete supplement within each phase. FeedPro is an integrated feed dispensing system that can deliver and blend 2 separate diets while dispensing. The 4 phases were 77 to 120, 120 to 175, 175 to 221, and 221 to 278 lb. Each treatment had 12 replicate pens and 8 pigs per pen. Overall (77 to 278 lb), ADG and ADFI were similar (P > 0.24) across treatments. However, pigs fed the ground corn-supplement blend had poorer (P 0.70) in HCW, percentage yield, and loin depth across treatments. Pigs fed using phase feeding of the ground corn-supplement blend had greater (P 0.28) statistical differences in total revenue and income over feed costs (IOFC) across treatments. However, the highest IOFC was obtained from diet blending, which had a numeric advantage of $1.44 to $2.32/pig over other treatments. In conclusion, the FeedPro system blended separate complete diets and a ground corn-supplement combination without adversely affecting growth performance and carcass characteristics.

The effects of feed budgeting, complete diet blending, and corn supplement blending on finishing pig growth performance in a commercial environment (2010)

A total of 808 pigs (PIC 337 x 1050, initially 78.4 ± 1.4 lb BW) were used to compare different feed-blending strategies for finishing pigs using the FeedPro system (Feedlogic Corp., Willmar, MN). There were 3 experimental treatments: (1) a standard-phase complete feed program, (2) blending a highand low-lysine complete diet (curve), and (3) blending ground corn and a supplement. FeedPro is an integrated feed dispensing system that can deliver and blend 2 separate diets while dispensing. Treatment diets were fed over 4 phases (78 to 231 lb BW) with a common complete diet containing Paylean fed during the fifth phase. The 5 phases were from 78 to 115, 115 to 157, 157 to 191, 191 to 239, and 239 to 281 lb. Each treatment had 10 replicate pens and 26 to 27 pigs per pen. Overall (d 0 to 78), pigs phase-fed complete diets had greater (P < 0.01) ADG than pigs fed blended diets and tended to have greater (P < 0.07) ADG than those fed the ground corn-supplement blend. Pigs fed the blended diets had lower (P < 0.001) ADFI than pigs phase-fed complete diets or fed the corn-supplement blend. However, pigs fed blended diets had improved (P < 0.001) F/G compared to pigs phase-fed a ground corn-supplement blend and tended to have improved (P < 0.07) F/G compared to pigs fed standard-phase diets. Pigs fed standard-phase diets had heavier (P < 0.03) HCW than pigs fed the corn-supplement blend and tended to have heavier (P < 0.03) HCW than pigs fed diets on a lysine curve. However, there were no differences (P ≥ 0.11) in percentage yield, percentage lean, fat depth, or loin depth among treatments. There were no differences (P ≥ 0.11) in total revenue or income over feed costs (IOFC) across treatments. However, standard phase-fed pigs held a numerical advantage in total revenue, mainly driven by a heavier HCW over other treatments. Also, pigs fed a ground corn-supplement blend had numerically the lowest IOFC compared to other treatments. In conclusion, feeding using the FeedPro system is competitive with standard phase-fed diets on a net return basis, while feeding a ground corn-supplement blend adversely affected net returns.

A comparison of Denagard, Denagard/CTC and Pulmotil on nursery pig growth performance and economic return (2010)

A total of 880 weanling pigs (initially 15.6 lb and 16 to 20 d of age) were used in a 41-d experiment to compare the effects of different antibiotic regimens on growth performance and economic return in the nursery phase. Pigs were alloted to 1 of 5 treatment groups based on weight within gender. The antibiotic regimens included: (1) control diets containing no antibiotic throughout the trial, (2) a combination of Denagard (Novartis Animal Health, Greensboro, NC) at 35g/ton and chlortetracycline at 400g/ton (Denagard/CTC) for the entire 41-d trial, (3) a Pulmotil (Elanco, Greenfield, IN) regimen of 363g/ton from d 0 to 10 followed by 181g/d from d 10 to 41, (4) Denagard 200 from d 0 to 10 followed by Denagard/CTC from d 10 to 41, and (5) Denagard/CTC from d 0 to 10, Denagard 200 from d 10 to 20, and Denagard/ CTC from d 20 to 41. From d 0 to 10, ADG, ADFI, and F/G were similar (P > 0.40) between the pigs fed nonmedicated diets and the mean of the groups fed diets containing antibiotics. However, from d 10 to 20, 20 to 41, and for the overall trial, pigs fed diets containing antibiotics had greater (P 0.18) between pigs fed Denagard/CTC and Denagard 200 during any phase. Final pig weights were greater for pigs fed diets containing antibiotics compared with the control (P < 0.01) and for pigs fed Denagard/CTC compared with pigs fed Pulmotil (P < 0.05). Adding antibiotics to the diets increased (P < 0.01) feed cost per pig; however, income over feed cost (IOFC) also increased for pigs fed Denagard/CTC compared with the control (P < 0.01) and compared with pigs fed Pulmotil (P < 0.01). These results demonstrate that adding antibiotics to the nursery diet improved pig performance and economic return.

The effects of feeder design and changing the availability of water from a wet-dry feeder at 4 and 8 weeks prior to marketing on growth performance and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing pigs (2010)

A total of 1,296 pigs (PIC, 337 × 1050) were used to evaluate the effects on growth performance and carcass characteristics of feeder design (conventional dry feeder vs. wet-dry feeder) and changing availability of water from a wet-dry feeder at 4 and 8 wk prior to marketing. There were 27 pigs per pen (14 barrows and 13 gilts) and 24 pens per feeder-type. Pigs were fed identical corn-soybean meal diets with 15% dried distillers’ grains with solubles (DDGS). Pens with a wet-dry feeder had a separate cup waterer, but the feeder provided the sole water source until d 69. The water supply to the wet-dry feeder was shut off in 8 pens on d 69 (WD8) and another 8 pens on d 97 (WD4), and the cup waterer was turned on. For the remaining 8 pens, the wet-dry feeder provided the sole water source for the entire experiment (WD0). From d 0 to 69, pigs using the wet-dry feeder had improved (P < 0.05) ADG, ADFI, F/G, and d 69 BW. Overall (d 0 to 124), pigs using WD0 had greater (P < 0.05) ADG, ADFI, final BW, and HCW than all other treatments. Pigs using WD4 had greater (P < 0.05) ADG than pigs that used a conventional dry feeder, and WD8 was intermediate. Pigs using WD4 had greater (P < 0.05) ADFI than WD8, and conventional dry was intermediate. Pigs using WD0 had poorer (P < 0.05) F/G than WD8 and conventional dry, and pigs using WD4 were intermediate. Backfat depth of pigs using WD8 was reduced (P < 0.05) compared to all other treatments, and loin depth was greater (P < 0.05) than that of pigs using a conventional dry feeder and WD4. Loin depth of pigs using WD0 was also greater (P < 0.05) than that of pigs with the conventional dry feeder. The percentage fat-free lean of pigs using WD8 was greater (P < 0.05) than WD4, and WD0, and pigs that used the conventional dry feeder were intermediate. Incomeover-feed cost was numerically greatest for pigs using WD8. In conclusion, pigs using WD0 had better growth rates than pigs using the conventional dry feeder, WD4, or WD8. Although measures of carcass leanness were improved with WD8, the reduction in growth rate observed for this treatment during the last 8 wk eliminated any net improvement in the overall growth rate from using a wet-dry feeder.

Abstracts of Second‐ and Third‐Place Undergraduate Papers

Abstract“Developing Enterprise Budgets for Sustainable School Gardens: Service Learning in a Global Context.” Ashley D. Jones, University of Arkansas–Fayetteville, second‐place paper.Service learning programs are becoming a part of curricula in universities throughout the United States. The University of Arkansas–Fayetteville (UAF) established a service learning program that targeted the educational, health, social, and agricultural needs of a community. This research aimed to provide students, faculty, community members, and school officials with a template for crop budgets to evaluate the costs and returns of producing multiple crops at a school. Crops produced in a sustainable garden must meet three criteria: (1) exhibit minimal negative environmental impact; (2) provide just‐in‐time production of crops to meet school needs; and (3) be solvent, either generating net positive revenue from the sale of crop or providing cost savings by growing crops at the school rather than purchasing them elsewhere. This proposal focuses on developing enterprise budgets for four crops: chili peppers, cabbage, corn, and tomatoes using an interactive Excel® budgeting tool. The design of the interactive budgets is to provide a framework that students at the University of Arkansas–Fayetteville can use in their service learning courses when examining the costs and benefits of agriculturally based projects, while also being a functional aid for the recipients of the service learning program.“Effect of Low and High Concentrate Supplementation on Milk Production, Milk Quality, and Overall Profitability in a Pasture‐based Organic Dairy.” Stephanie Horton, California State University, Chico, third‐place paper.Decreasing levels of concentrate supplementation and increasing consumption of forage offer a way for organic dairy farmers to reduce input costs. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of low and high concentrate supplementation on milk production, milk quality, and overall profitability in a pasture‐based organic dairy. Two concentrate levels L and H (12% and 24% of dry matter intake [DMI], respectively) were investigated in a herd of seventy‐six Holstein/Jersey cross cows for a forty‐one‐day treatment period. Milk yield, percentage fat, and somatic cell counts were comparable between groups. Protein percentage differed (p &lt; 0.05) among group L (3.04 ± 0.04) and H (3.18 ± 0.05). A difference (p &lt; 0.05) in percent solids nonfat between group L (8.78 ± 0.04) and H (8.93 ± 0.05) was identified. Overall, decreasing the concentrate supplementation levels from 24% to 12% of DMI was shown to have no impact on milk yield and little impact on milk quality in an intensively managed, pastured‐based dairy. The income over feed costs (IOFC) were also significantly (p &lt; 0.01) greater for the low supplementation group, making intensive grazing a viable option for organic dairy farmers with high‐quality pastures.

Pengaruh Pola Waktu Pemberian Pakan dengan Suplementasi Beberapa Level Vitamin C terhadap Performans Produksi dan Organ Fisiologis Ayam Broiler

The purpose of this research is to evaluate effect of feeding time pattern that supplemented by several ascorbic acid level on production performance and physiological organs of broiler. Variables observed were average daily gain (ADG), feed consumption, feed convertion, relative growth rate, income over feed cost (IOFC), production index, weight of tyroid gland, liver, kidney and feather percentage. Two hundreds unsex broiler CP 707 COBB strain were used. These Chickens housed per cage ; dimensions were 1 x 1 x 0,6 m. Metabolizable energy and crude protein content in diet were 3000 ccal/kg and 20%. Water was suplied for ad libitum.Treatments were arranged as a Completely Randomized Designs in Factorial Designs. There are two factor ; factor A ; feeding time (W09 and W18) and factor B ; ascorbic acid levels (L0, L50, L100, L150 mg/l water), with fifth replication. Result of this experiment indicated there are zero interaction between feeding time and ascorbic acid levels, and feed consumption, weight of tyroid, liver, kidney, and feather percentage were no influenced (P &gt; 0.05) by treatments. However, relative growth rate were affected (P &lt; 0.05) and highly affected (P &lt; 0.01) on average daily gain and feed convertion. 15 hours feeding time pattern with 100 mg/l ascorbic acid level gived the best response on income over feed cost (IOFC) and production indexs. In conclution, 14 hours feeding time pattern with 100 m/l ascorbic acid level gived the best result on average daily gain (ADG), feed convertion, relative growth rate, income over feed cost and production indexs.

Effects of increasing standardized ileal digestible lysine:calorie ratio on the growth performance of growing-finishing pigs (2009)

A total of 1,080 pigs (PIC TR4 × 1050) were used in four 28-d experiments to determine the lysine requirements of growing-finishing pigs reared in the new Kansas State University finishing barn. Low- and high-lysine corn-soybean meal-based diets with no added fat were formulated for each experiment by varying the amounts of corn, soybean meal, L-lysine HCl, DL-methionine, and L-threonine. Six lysine levels were evaluated in each experiment, with intermediate lysine levels obtained by blending the low- and high-lysine diets. There were 6 pens containing an equal number of barrows and gilts for each treatment, with 6 or 8 pigs per pen. Pens were blocked by initial count and BW. In Exp. 1, 252 pigs (initially 80.7 lb) were fed diets with standardized ileal digestible lysine:calorie (SID lys:cal) ratios of 2.09, 2.39, 2.69, 2.99, 3.29, or 3.59 g/Mcal ME. Increasing the SID lys:cal ratio improved (linear; P < 0.04) ADG and F/G. Optimum performance and income over feed cost (IOFC) was observed at 2.69 g SID lys/Mcal, or a dietary level of 1.01% total lysine and 0.90% SID lysine. In Exp. 2, 288 pigs (initially 122.9 lb) were fed diets with SID lys:cal ratios of 2.12, 2.35, 2.58, 2.81, 3.04, or 3.27 g/Mcal. Increasing the SID lys:cal ratio tended (quadratic; P < 0.12) to increase ADG and improved (linear; P < 0.02) F/G. Optimum performance and IOFC was observed at 2.35 g SID lys/Mcal, or a dietary level of 0.88% total and 0.78% SID lysine. In Exp. 3, 252 pigs (initially 177.2 lb) were fed diets with SID lys:cal ratios of 1.49, 1.79, 2.09, 2.39, 2.69, or 2.98 g/Mcal. Increasing the SID lys:cal ratio tended (linear; P < 0.06) to improve ADG and improved (linear; P < 0.001) F/G. Optimum performance and IOFC was observed at 2.09 g SID lys/Mcal, or a dietary level of 0.80% total and 0.70% SID lysine. In Exp. 4, 288 pigs (initially 224.3 lb) were fed the same SID lys:cal ratios as in Exp. 3. Increasing the SID lys:cal ratio decreased (linear; P < 0.04) ADFI, F/G, carcass yield, and IOFC. Despite a linear improvement in F/G, ADG did not improve above 1.79 g SID lys/Mcal, which resulted in the best IOFC. This requirement is equivalent to 0.69% total and 0.60% SID lysine. These experiments agree with previous recommendations for growing-finishing pigs of this genotype. For pigs weighing 80 to 143 lb, 123 to 190

Comparison of different antimicrobial sequences on nursery pig performance and economic return (2009)

A total of 1,008 weanling pigs (12.0 lb and 19 d of age) were used in a 42-d experiment to compare different antibiotic regimens on growth performance and economic return. From d 0 to 11 and d 11 to 21, pigs were fed diets containing no antibiotic, a combination of Denagard (Novartis Animal Health, Greensboro, NC) at 35 g/ton and chlortetracycline at 400 g/ton (Denagard/CTC), or Pulmotil (Elanco, Greenfield, IN; 363 g/ton from d 0 to 11 and 181 g/ton from d 11 to 21). From d 21 to 42, pigs previously fed Denagard/CTC or Pulmotil were fed diets containing no medication, Denagard/CTC, or a combination of Mecadox (Philbro Animal Health Corp., Ridgefield Park, NJ) at 25 g/ton and oxytetracycline at 400 g per ton (Mecadox/OTC). Adding Denagard/CTC or Pulmotil to the diet from d 0 to 11 and d 11 to 21 improved (P < 0.01)ADG, ADFI, F/G, and income over feed cost (IOFC). There were no differences (P > 0.21) in ADG or ADFI between pigs fed Denagard/CTC and pigs fed Pulmotil; however, pigs fed Denagard/CTC tended to have better (P < 0.09) F/G from d 0 to 21. Feed cost was also lower (P < 0.01) and IOFC was greater (P < 0.03) from d 0 to 21 for pigs fed Denagard/CTC than for pigs fed Pulmotil. Adding Denagard/CTC or Mecadox/OTC to the diet from d 21 to 42 increased (P < 0.05) ADG, ADFI, and IOFC compared with feeding no antibiotic, but there were no differences (P > 0.17) in pig performance or IOFC between pigs fed Denagard/CTC and Mecadox/OTC. For the overall trial, adding antibiotics to the diet during any phase improved (P < 0.05) ADG, ADFI, F/G, and IOFC. These results demonstrate that adding antibiotics to the nursery diet improved pig performance and economical return on this commercial farm.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 19, 2009

Economic impact of removing pigs before marketing on the remaining pigs’ growth performance (2009)

The economic impact of removing the heaviest pigs (topping) before marketing a finishing group and the effect of topping on performance of the remaining pigs were determined in 2 studies. In Exp. 1, a total of 1,126 pigs (BW = 241 lb; 25 pigs/pen) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: topping 0, 2, or 4 pigs/pen 15 d before marketing the remaining pigs in the group. After topping, floor space per pig was 7.2, 7.8, and 8.6 ft2 for pens with 0, 2, and 4 pigs topped per pen, respectively. Overall (d 0 to 15), increasing the number of pigs topped per pen improved ADG (P < 0.02), ADFI (linear; P < 0.03), and F/G (quadratic; P < 0.04). Revenues were similar (P > 0.76) between treatments, but feed usage and cost was reduced (quadratic; P < 0.01) as more pigs were topped per pen. However, there was no impact on income over feed cost (IOFC). In Exp. 2, a total of 1,084 pigs (BW = 234 lb; 27 pigs/pen) were assigned to 1 of 5 treatments. On d 0 (20 d before closeout), 2 pigs were topped from each pen excluding the control pens (0 top). Pens that were topped at d 0 had an additional 0, 2, 4, or 6 pigs per pen topped on d 10. Floor space per pig was 6.7 ft2 in control pens and 7.2 ft2 for the remaining pens from d 0 to 10. After topping on d 10, floor space per pig was 7.8, 8.6, and 9.5 ft2 for pens with 2, 4, or 6 more pigs topped, respectively. From d 10 to 20, the remaining pigs had increased (linear; P < 0.01) ADFI, which led to a linear increase (P < 0.01) in ADG. Overall, ADG and ADFI increased (linear; P < 0.05) with increasing number of pigs topped, and F/G improved (P < 0.01) in topped pens relative to intact pens. Weight discounts were highest in intact pens (P < 0.02) compared to topped pens. Revenue decreased (P < 0.05) as additional pigs were topped after d 10 in pens topped at d 0. Feed usage was highest (P < 0.01) in intact pens. As more pigs were topped on d 10, IOFC tended to decrease (P = 0.07). Topping, regardless of number of pigs, did not affect (P > 0.23) any of the carcass traits measured. Topping improves growth performance of the remaining pigs. Based on IOFC, topping 2 pigs once is the most optimal. Improvements in performance from topping more than 2 pigs were not great enough to overcome the reduction in total weight produced by the pen.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 19, 2009

Profitability measures of dairy cows

This study was aimed at defining profitability measures designed for prediction of breeding values (EBV) in dairy cows. Performance and economic data recorded in herds enrolled in the DHIA (Dairy Herd Improvement Association) program in Kentucky, USA, were used to evaluate economic functions which included the following profitability measures: lifetime net income (LNI), efficiency (EF), milk income over feed costs (IOFC), net income per day of productive life (NIPL), net income at the end of the first lactation (NI1), and milk income over feed costs at the end of the first lactation (IOFC1). The estimated averages for LNI, EF, IOFC, NIPL, NI1 and IOFC1 were respectively US$ 532.13, 1.04, US$ 3038.19, US$ -0.16, US$ -69.34 and US$ 1293.77. The heritability estimates for these traits ranged from 0.06 to 0.09. The EBV and Spearman correlation estimates were positive, ranging from moderate to high values, suggesting a direct linear relationship among the profitability measures. LNI was the best profitability measure and genetic correlation estimates between LNI and economic measures recorded in first lactation (NI1 and IOFC1) were moderate (&lt;0.56). NI1 was the most efficient profitability measure, but it would be easier to record data to calculate IOFC1. Overall, results do not suggest any economic function measured in the first lactation as a selection criteria for LNI. The profitability measures were affected by the short productive life of the animals in the herds. Selection based on different profitability measures would not result in similar ranking of sires.

Determining an optimum lysine:calorie ratio for barrows and gilts in a commercial finishing facility1,2

Our objective was to determine an optimum Lys:calorie ratio (g of total dietary Lys/Mcal of ME) for 35- to 120-kg barrows and gilts (Pig Improvement Company, L337 x C22) in a commercial finishing environment. Seven (3 barrow and 4 gilt) trials were conducted using randomized complete block designs (42 pens per trial, a total of 7,801 pigs). Six treatments with increasing Lys:calorie ratio were used in each study. Diets were corn-soybean meal-based with 6% choice white grease. Lysine:calorie ratios were attained by adjusting the amount of corn and soybean meal. No crystalline Lys was used. In barrow trial 1 (43 to 70 kg), increasing the Lys:calorie ratio (2.21, 2.55, 2.89, 3.23, 3.57, and 3.91) increased (quadratic, P < 0.01) ADG, G:F, income over feed costs (IOMFC), and feed cost per kilogram of gain, and decreased (linear, P < 0.01) backfat. In barrow trial 2 (69 to 93 kg), increasing the Lys:calorie ratio (1.53, 1.78, 2.03, 2.28, 2.53, and 2.78) improved (linear, P < 0.01) ADG, G:F, and IOMFC, and decreased (quadratic, P < 0.01) backfat. In barrow trial 3 (102 to 120 kg), increasing the Lys:calorie ratio (1.40, 1.60, 1.80, 2.00, 2.20, and 2.40) increased (linear, P < 0.03) ADG and G:F, and numerically improved (linear, P = 0.12) IOMFC. In gilt trials 1 (35 to 60 kg), 2 (60 to 85 kg), and 3 (78 to 103 kg), increasing the Lys:calorie ratio (2.55, 2.89, 3.23, 3.57, 3.91, and 4.25; 1.96, 2.24, 2.52, 2.80, 3.08, and 3.36; and 1.53, 1.78, 2.03, 2.28, 2.53, and 2.78, respectively) improved (quadratic, P < 0.04) ADG, G:F, IOMFC, and feed cost per kilogram of gain, and decreased (linear, P < 0.01) backfat. In gilt trial 4 (100 to 120 kg), increasing the Lys:calorie ratio (1.40, 1.60, 1.80, 2.00, 2.20, and 2.40) improved (linear, P < 0.02) ADG, G:F, LM depth, IOMFC, and (quadratic, P < 0.06) feed cost per kilogram of gain. These studies suggest that feed cost per kilogram of gain decreases, and reductions in biological performance and IOMFC are rather modest when feeding marginally Lys-deficient diets early (35 to 70 kg) in the grower-finishing period compared with the more severe penalties in growth and economic performance of feeding marginally deficient diets in the late finishing period (70 kg to slaughter). The equations (Lys:calorie ratio = -0.0133 x BW, kg, + 3.6944 and = -0.0164 x BW, kg, + 4.004, for barrows and gilts, respectively) best describe our interpretation of the Lys:calorie ratio that met biological requirements and optimized IOMFC on these pigs (PIC, L337 x C22; 35 to 120 kg) in this commercial finishing environment.

Effects of increasing standardized ileal digestible lysine:calorie ratio on gilts grown in a commercial finishing environment (2008)

A total of 2,165 commercial gilts (PIC 337 × 1050) were used in two 4-wk studies to determine the lysine requirement for growing and finishing gilts. All diets were corn-soybean meal based and contained 0.15% L-lysine HCl and 3% added fat. Desired lysine levels were achieved by altering the corn and soybean meal level in the diet. Each experiment consisted of 6 treatments with 7 pens per treatment and 24 to 27 pigs per pen. In Exp. 1, 1,085 gilts (initially 84.2 lb) were used with standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine:calorie ratios of 2.01, 2.30, 2.58, 2.87, 3.16, and 3.45 g/Mcal. Both ADG and F/G improved (quadratic, P < 0.003) with increasing SID lysine:calorie ratio, with the greatest improvement in performance through 3.16 g SID lysine/Mcal ME and a smaller increase to the highest SID lysine:calorie level. Daily SID lysine intake increased (linear, P < 0.001) and SID lysine intake per pound of gain increased (quadratic, P < 0.001) as expected with increasing dietary lysine. Income over feed costs (IOFC) and feed cost per pound of gain also followed a similar pattern (quadratic, P < 0.001). In Exp. 2, 1,080 gilts (initially 185.3 lb) were used with SID lysine:calorie ratios of 1.55, 1.75, 1.95, 2.05, 2.35, and 2.55 g/Mcal. As SID lysine:calorie ratio increased, ADG, F/G, daily SID lysine intake, SID lysine intake per pound of gain, IOFC, and feed cost per pound of gain improved (linear, P < 0.001) through the highest lysine:calorie level of 2.55 g/Mcal. These studies indicate that feeding higher levels of lysine than previously thought to be optimal offers significant economic and biologic improvements in growing and finishing gilts. More research is needed to validate the ideal SID lysine:calorie ratio for today’s evolving genetics.; Swine Day, 2008, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 2008

CASE STUDY: Performance of Lactating Jersey and Jersey-Holstein Crossbred Versus Holstein Cows in a Wisconsin Confinement Dairy Herd

The objective of this trial was to measure performance of paired pens of lactating Jersey and Jersey-Holstein crossbred (JX) vs. Holstein (H) cows over a year in a Wisconsin confinement dairy herd. Average daily milk yield of JX was 5.5 kg/ cow less than H, whereas average milk fat and true protein percentages were 0.61 (4.26 vs. 3.65%) and 0.19 (3.05 vs. 2.86%) percentage units, respectively, greater for JX than H. Average daily DMI was 2.2 kg/cow less for JX than H. Services per conception and days open were 0.8 times and 22 d less, respectively, for JX than H. The incidence of lameness was 13.0 percentage units less for JX than H. The percentage of cows culled was 5.1 percentage units less for JX than H. Using actual monthly farm pay prices for milk, the average milk income over feed cost (IOFC) was $0.42/ cow per day less for JX than H. However, after adjusting for differences between pens for days open, all health disorders, and culling, IOFC was $0.05/cow per day greater for JX than H. After the farm's add-on milk price premiums were attached to the value of milk components, IOFC was $0.21/cow per day greater for JX than H. The JX pen showed benefits over the H pen for milk composition, reproductive performance, some health disorders, and cull rate, which offset the observed milk yield reduction for the JX pen when the overall economic performance of the JX vs. H pens was calculated for this confinement dairy.