Linear Effects Research Articles

215 The effect of a Lactobacillus fermentation postbiotic on nursery pig growth performance after experimental inoculation with F18 Escherichia coli.

Abstract This study evaluated a Lactobacillus fermentation postbiotic (LFP) in nursery pigs challenged with F18 ETEC. A total of 119 three-week-old barrows and gilts were used in this study. Pigs were acclimated for a period of 7 d upon arrival at the facility before inoculation. Pigs were stocked in mixed-sex pens of 6 pigs in each pen. Four rooms were used and each room had 5 pens. One room of pigs was not challenged with F18 ETEC (NCH). Ninety pigs in the other 3 rooms were intraorally challenged for three consecutive days with F18 ETEC isolate at a concentration of ~1x109 cfu/ml (CH) Pigs in the non-challenge groups were housed in separate airspaces than those receiving ETEC inoculum to avoid contamination. All pigs, regardless of health challenge, were fed a standard two-phase dietary nursery program. Five dietary treatments were evaluated: T1) negative dietary control without feed additives (Carabox, zinc oxide, and added copper), T2) 750 ppm LFP, T3) 1,500 ppm LFP, T4) 2,250 ppm LFP, and T5) positive control (PC) with feed additives. Feces were collected at 0 and 4 d post inoculation (dpi) to evaluate fecal shedding by real time polymerase chain reaction (rtPCR). Pig body weights were collected at -7, 0, 7, 14, 21, and 42 dpi to calculate performance. Feed intake was measured at the completion of the two dietary phases at 7 and 42 dpi for calculation of average daily feed intake (ADFI) and gain to feed ratio (G:F). All pigs were negative for F18 ETEC on 0 dpi and the non-challenge pigs remained negative by 4 dpi. At 4 dpi, the pigs fed 1,500 and 2,500 ppm LFP had significantly less Cts than pigs fed the positive control (rtPCR < 0.819, P = 0.03). Pigs fed the negative control had significantly greater fecal bacterial load than those fed the positive control averaged across challenge treatments and dpi (Ct ratio = 0.84, P = 0.03). Total E. coli and overall bacterial load were increased at 0 dpi compared with 4 dpi (Ct ratio= 0.90, P < 0.02). Pigs fed the positive control grew significantly faster than those fed the other diets during the acclimation phase (P < 0.01). Pigs in T5 were heavier than those on T1 at 14 and 21 dpi P < 0.02; table 1). End weights, average daily gain (ADG), and ADFI were similar between T1 and T2-4 across dietary phases (P = 0.13) with a tendency for the pigs feed 1,500 ppm to be heavier at d 21 (linear effect, P = 0.15) Pigs fed the positive control were heavier and grew faster at the end of each phase compared with pigs fed the other diets. The F18 challenge was effective in decreasing pig performance. Preliminary evidence suggests lactobacillus fermentation postbiotic may improve nursery performance in the face of an F18 challenge, but further investigation is necessary.

PSV-14 Determination of optimal digestible phosphorus level in lactating sows

Abstract Optimal dietary phosphorus (P) is important for sows, not only to maintain P homeostasis and prevent premature culling due to lameness and locomotion, but also to support growth of their offspring. The objective of this experiment was to determine the optimal level of digestible P in lactating sows for the best reproductive performance and piglet growth. A total of 550 gestating sows were enrolled using a randomized block design with sow parity and group as blocks. Sows with an entry body weight of 247.5 ± 29.1 kg were allotted to one of the five levels of digestible P (similar as standard total tract digestibility of P with consideration of phytase released P): 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, 0.5% and 0.6%. A corn-soy-wheat middling based lactation diet was formulated with phytase inclusion (550 FTU/kg) and a fixed ratio between calcium (Ca) and digestible P of 2.5. All diets were formulated to have the same nutrient levels except 69 kcal net energy difference between 0.6% and 0.2% digestible P treatments due to slight difference in the ingredient composition. Experimental diets were fed approximately 4 d before farrowing and throughout the entire lactation (21 d). Feces were collected from 20 sows per treatment around 14 d of lactation to measure apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of Ca and P. Using R (version 4.0.0), performance and digestibility data were analyzed using a general linear model and a generalized linear model specifying a binomial distribution was deployed for count data. Dietary treatments did not impact sow average daily feed intake or piglet birth and weaning weights (Table 1). However, dietary treatments affected piglet livability (P < 0.05) and pre-weaning morality (P < 0.01), with 0.5% digestible P having the greatest livability and 0.4% digestible P having the least pre-weaning mortality. There was a positive linear dose effect of digestible P on probability of weaned pigs (P < 0.05). Dietary digestible P affected ATTD Ca (88.8 ± 3.1%, P < 0.01) and ATTD P (64.4 ± 6.5%, P < 0.01) in sows on d14 of lactation, with greater digestible P leading to decreased ATTD Ca and P. In conclusion, dietary digestible P level affected ATTD Ca and P during lactation. Digestible P level of 0.4% and greater led to greater piglet livability and resulted in greater probability of weaned pigs.

157 Effects of increasing dietary protein concentration on digestibility of amino acids by growing pigs

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) by growing pigs is not influenced by dietary protein concentration if all AA are supplied by soybean protein isolate (SPI) or casein. In Exp. 1, cannulated pigs [n = 12; average body weight (BW) = 39.22 kg; SD = 3.96] were allotted to a replicated 6 × 3 Youden square design with the 6 diets and 3 periods. Five diets were formulated to contain 7 to 35% SPI. An N-free diet was also used. In Exp. 2, cannulated pigs (n = 24 average BW = 23.12 kg; SD = 2.89) were allotted a quadruplicated 6 × 2 Youden square design with the 6 diets and 2 periods. Five diets were formulated to contain 6.75 to 33.75% casein. An N-free diet was also used. Ileal digesta were collected and analyzed for dry matter (DM), Cr, and AA. The statistical models included diet as a fixed variable and square, animal, and period as random effects. Polynomial contrasts were used to test linear and quadratic effects of increasing dietary protein. Results from Exp. 1 indicated that the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of DM linearly (P = 0.001) decreased and the AID of all AA quadratically (P < 0.05) increased as the inclusion of SPI increased in the diets (Table 1). The SID of His and Trp was not affected by the inclusion of SPI in the diets. However, the SID of Arg, Leu, Lys, Phe, Thr, and Val linearly (P < 0.05) decreased, and the SID of Ile and Met tended to linearly (P < 0.10) decrease as the inclusion of SPI in the diets increased. Results from Exp. 2 indicated that the AID of DM tended to linearly decrease (P = 0.089) as the inclusion of casein increased in the diets (Table 2). The AID of most AA increased quadratically (P < 0.01) and the AID of Trp tended to increase (quadratic, P = 0.068) with increasing inclusion rate of casein. The SID of most AA was independent of casein levels. In conclusion, the anti-nutritional factors may have been increased in the diets as the inclusion of SPI increased and thus resulted in reduced SID values. However, the SID values were not influenced by increasing dietary protein if all AA were supplied by casein that does not contain anti-nutritional factors. Therefore, it is concluded that pigs have the capacity to absorb peptides and AA with the same efficiency if the protein concentration is 30% as if it is 6%. Dietary protein concentration itself, therefore, is not likely to limit AA absorption. However, even small amounts of anti-nutritional factors appear to negatively impact the SID of AA.

PSII-17 Effect of protease supplementation on amino acids digestibility of soybean meal fed to growing pigs of different ages

Abstract Protease supplementation can increase amino acids (AA) availability; however, the effectiveness of protease in swine diets varies and has been associated with the type and dose of protease, dietary ingredients, and potentially animal age. This study investigated the interactive effect of protease inclusion level and pig age on standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of protein (CP) and AA of soybean meal (SBM) fed to growing pigs. A corn starch–based diet was formulated with SBM as the sole source of AA and containing titanium as an indigestible marker. Protease was supplemented at 0, 15,000; 30,000 and 45,000 NFP/kg of feed (ProAct 360). An N-free diet was used to estimate basal ileal endogenous AA losses. Ten cannulated pigs (body weight = 21 kg ± 2 kg) were assigned to experimental diets in a duplicate 5 × 5 Latin square design. In Phase I (23 to 30 kg-pigs, 90 ± 17 d of age), ileal digesta was collected in 5 periods of 7 d (5 d adaptation and 2 d ileal digesta collection). In Phase II (50 to 65 kg-pigs. 140 ± 17 d of age), using the same diets, ileal digesta was collected in 5 more periods of 7 d. Pigs were fed at 4% of body weight (BW) adjusted at the end of each period. Diets and ileal digesta were analyzed for CP, AA, and titanium and SID was calculated. Orthogonal polynomial contrasts were used to determine the linear and quadratic effects of protease supplementation. The combined data were analyzed as 4 x 2 factorial, including the fixed effects of protease inclusion (excluding N-free diet), age, and their interactions. In phase I, increasing levels of protease resulted in linear improved (P < 0.1) of SID for the majority of indispensable AA (Except Arg, His, Met + Cys, and Trp) and the average of dispensable AA. In phase II, the SID of Ile, Leu, Met, Met + Cys, Val, the average of indispensable AA, and the majority of dispensable AA was quadratically improved. Overall (Phase I and II), the SID of Ile, Leu, Met + Cys, Val, Cys, Glu, Tyr, and the average of dispensable AA was quadratically improved (P < 0.1). In most cases, the supplementation of 30,000 NFP/kg of feed resulted in the greatest AA digestibility improvements. However, the linear response in the first phase for some AA suggests that diets for younger pigs could be supplemented with a greater level (45,000 NFP/kg of feed). There were no interactions between protease levels and age. Younger pigs had improved (P < 0.1) SID of CP and most AA (Except Cys, Gly, and Ser). In conclusion, dietary protease supplementation can improve SID of AA in soybean mean independent of pig age. Pigs age can influence AA digestibility where younger pigs have greater AA digestibility.

PSI-14 Effect of dietary xylanase supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and digesta viscosity of weaned pigs fed wheat-soybean meal-based diets

Abstract Xylanase supplementation can improve nutrient digestibility in pig diets by degrading cell wall non-starch polysaccharides and reducing digesta viscosity as well as promoting intestinal health of pigs after weaning. This study determined the effects of dietary xylanase supplementation on growth performance, apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, and digesta viscosity in different digestive sites of weaned pigs. A total of 312 weaned pigs [body weight (BW) = 5.1 ± 0.9 kg] were weaned into 48 pens and assigned to one of six dietary treatments, each treatment with 8 pens, 6 to 7 pigs per pen, and sex ratios maintained within BW blocks. Experimental diets were formulated in a 3-phase nursery feeding program: Phase 1 (d 0 - d 7), Phase 2 (d 8 - d 21), and Phase 3 (d 22 – d 42). Experimental diets consisted of a wheat/soybean meal-based diet formulated to meet pig requirements (positive control, PC), the PC diet with reduction of 100 kcal of ME (negative control, NC), and the NC diet supplemented with either 900, 1,800, 3,600, or 7,200 units of xylanase. Feed disappearance and body weight were measured at d 7, 14, 21, and 42. Pen fecal score was assessed daily during d 0 to 14 and three times a week during d 15 to 28. On d 21 to 24 of the experiment (12 pigs per day), one pig per pen was selected for sample collection: ileal, cecal, and mid-colon digesta for viscosity and ileal digesta and feces for nutrient digestibility. Orthogonal polynomial contrasts were used to determine the linear and quadratic effects of increasing levels of xylanase in NC diets. Contrast analysis was used to compare PC and NC groups with xylanase-supplemented groups. Fecal score data were analyzed using the PROC FREQ procedure. Supplementing xylanase to NC diets did not improve pig growth performance (P > 0.05) through the nursery period. In wk 2 and wk 3, pigs fed the PC and NC diets had a greater (χ2 < 0.05) incidence of fecal scores 3 & 4 (diarrhea) than the xylanase-supplemented pigs. The AID of DM and ATTD of crude protein, gross energy, and NDF were greater (P < 0.05) in the PC and 900-xylanase supplemented diets than in the other dietary treatments. In addition, the ATTD of NDF and ADF increased linearly (P < 0.1) in response to xylanase supplementation. Xylanase supplementation (900 to 7,200 U) decreased digesta viscosity in colon when compared with PC and NC diets. Overall, xylanase supplementation can improve nutrient digestibility, particularly at total tract level, and reduce viscosity in the hindgut, which could be related with decreasing the occurrence of looseness. However, the effects on growth performance were not expressive when xylanase was supplemented to wheat-soybean meal-based diets with reduction of 100 kcal of ME.

PSVI-3 Effects of dried distillers grains on performance of suckling beef calves in a creep-feeding system

Abstract Dried distiller’s grains (DDG) have been successfully used in beef cattle diets due to their high protein content and increasing availability around the world. However, the chemical composition of DDG varies according to the type of fermented grain and processing methods, and its increased sulfur content can compromise animal performance. There are few studies evaluating DDG in supplements for beef calves in creep-feeding systems. Hence, our objective was to assess the effects of DDG on performance of suckling beef calves in a creep-feeding system. Nellore×Red Angus male calves (n = 37), weighing 162 ± 4.06 kg at 120 d of age, along with their respective dams (n =37 Nellore cows) were used. The cow-calf pairs were randomly assigned into eight paddocks formed by Urochloa decumbens pastures. Animals were subjected to a 14-dadaptation period and an additional 108-d period for performance evaluation. All animals had access to water and mineral mixture ad libitum. Four treatments were evaluated, as follows: control (mixture mineral only), supplement without DDG, or supplements including 375 and 750 g/kg DDG [dry matter (DM) basis]. The supplements were composed of ground corn, soybean meal, urea, and DDG, planned to contain 300 g CP/kg DM, and provided daily at 7.0 g/kg body weight (BW; as fed). Treatments were assigned to experimental units (i.e., calf) in a completely randomized design. Calves were weighed at the beginning and end of the experiment, as well as every 15 d, to adjust the amount of supplement to be provided. Comparisons between treatments were performed by decomposing its sum of squares into orthogonal effects as follows: 1) control (mineral mixture only) versus supplemented calves; 2) evaluation of the linear and quadratic effects of the inclusion of DDG in the supplements. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4 (α = 0.05). Supplementation enhanced (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and final body weight (FBW) when compared with control. On average, ADG was increased from 0.94 kg/d to 1.08 kg/d for control and supplemented calves, respectively. On the other hand, ADG and FBW decreased linearly as the DDG inclusion in the supplement increased (P < 0.05). The differential ADG of calves that received supplements with 375 and 750 g/kg DDG compared with calves that did not receive DDG was -0.046 and -0.096 kg, respectively. It is worth emphasizing that calves fed supplements with 375 g/kg and 750 g/kg DDG had a 14% and 46% less supplement intake, respectively, than animals that were not fed DDG. Supplementing beef calves in a creep-feeding system enhances animal performance. However, the inclusion of high DDG levels in supplements decreases the performance of suckling beef calves.

218 Weaning weights associated with improved performance of grow-finish pigs

Abstract This study was conducted to evaluate the downstream impact of wean weight (WW) on finishing pig performance. Individual body weights (BW) were recorded at the time of weaning using the LeeO individual animal identification system. Finisher performance evaluation started at d 57 post-weaning. Pigs (n = 1,276; PIC 800 x DNA 241 F1) were blocked by wean age (20.6 ± 1.5 d) and sex, ranked in order of individual WW (6.05 ± 1.43 kg), and divided into BW quartiles to create four WW treatment groups [WW Quartile (Q) 1, 2, 3, and 4; Table 1]. Pigs (n = 21) in the same Q were housed in each pen yielding 15 replicate pens per quartile. Pigs were fed common diets formulated in a 4-phase sequence from the time of placement in the finisher through marketing, which occurred on a fixed-BW basis targeting 131.5 kg. Pen BW and feed disappearance were recorded every 3 wk and at marketing, and individual BW were recorded on d 134 post-weaning. Data were analyzed using linear mixed effects models in the lme4 package of R. Differences in mean BW of each Q were evident at weaning (P < 0.001), start of finisher evaluation (d 57, P < 0.001), and through d 121 (P < 0.001); by d 144, the BW between Q3 and Q4 did not differ (126.6 vs 129.0 kg, respectively, P > 0.05). Overall average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were greater (P < 0.001) for finishing pigs of either Q3 or Q4 compared with Q1, but no difference (P > 0.10) in gain to feed ratio (G:F) was observed between quartiles from 28.0 to 131.5 kg BW. Pigs in Q3 and Q4 required fewer (P < 0.001) days on feed than pigs in either Q1 or Q2, which culminated in an overall linear (P < 0.001) effect such that a 0.45-kg advantage in WW resulted in 2.25 d less to reach a market BW of 131.5 kg. Coefficient of variation (CV) in BW at d 134 post-weaning was greater (P < 0.001) for pigs in Q1 compared with pigs in Q2, Q3, or Q4. Backfat depth was thicker (P < 0.05) for Q1 pigs compared with Q4 pigs but did not differ from pigs in Q2 or Q3. A decrease (P < 0.001) in carcass ADG was seen for pigs in the lightest 50% of the population compared with those in Q4. In conclusion, even though feed efficiency was not impacted by WW, heavier WW resulted in fewer days to reach desired market weight while simultaneously resulting in improved carcass characteristics.

190 Phytogenic feed additive improved growth performance and health of nursery pigs in diets with and without combination of several feed additives

Abstract An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that a phytogenic feed additive (Fresta Protect, Delacon, Austria) would improve growth performance and health indices of nursery pigs fed diets with or without other feed additives. Weaned pigs (n = 1,380; 19 d old with initial body weight (BW) = 5.5 ± 0.3 kg] were allotted to 10 replicate pens per treatment (23 pigs per pen) in 2 barns. Pens were blocked by location within barn and randomly allotted to one of 6 treatments: 1) Basal nursery feed without other feed additives (NC), 2) NC + 0.1% phytogenic (NC+P0.1), 3) Basal nursery feed with other feed additives such as organic acids, antioxidants, and blend of preservatives (PC), 4) PC + 0.05% phytogenic (PC+P0.05), 5) PC + 0.1% phytogenic (PC+P0.1), or 6) PC + 0.2% phytogenic (PC+P0.2). The experiment lasted for 39 d, with pigs fed experimental diets during phase 1 (d 0-10) and 2 (d 10-23) and a common diet without addition of PC or phytogenic during phase 3 (d 23-39). Pig and feed weights were recorded at the beginning and end of each phase. Performance data were analyzed using the lme4 package of R with treatment as fixed effect and barn and pen location within barn as random effects. Contrasts were used to test linear and quadratic effects of phytogenic in PC diets (diets 3 to 6), and diets 1, 2, 3, and 5 were used to compare main effects of phytogenic, diet type, and interaction between phytogenic and diet type. Results indicated that pigs fed diets with phytogenic, regardless of diet type, had increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and gain to feed ratio (G:F) in phase 1, final BW, ADG, and average daily feed intake (ADFI) in phase 2, as well as overall ADG and ADFI. The changes observed in final BW and ADFI in phase 2 had a quadratic response (P < 0.05) as dietary inclusion of phytogenic increased, whereas overall ADG linearly increased (P < 0.05) with greater levels of phytogenic supplementation (Table 1). In phase 2, the phytogenic supplementation increased G:F to a greater extent when diets did not contain other feed additives compared with PC diets (phytogenic x feed type interaction: P < 0.05). Phytogenic supplementation numerically reduced mortality. Pigs fed PC diets, regardless of inclusion of phytogenic, had increased (P < 0.05) final BW, ADG, and G:F in phase 1, final BW, ADG, and ADFI in phase 2, and overall ADG and ADFI compared with pigs fed NC diets. In conclusion, phytogenic supplementation with an optimal dietary inclusion of 0.1% improved growth performance, regardless of supplementation of other feed additives in the diet, and diets containing additional feed additives further improved performance of pigs.

PSI-12 Dietary isoacids modulate nutrient digestibility and fermentation products in ileal digesta and feces of growing pigs fed corn-soybean meal diets

Abstract Branched-chain fatty acids, or isoacids, are the product of branched-chain amino acid fermentation and have been associated with benefits on the productivity of ruminants, primarily by positively modulating gut microbes and promoting gastrointestinal health. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal inclusion level of isoacid blend product based on apparent ileal digestibility (AID), apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, and fermentation products in growing pigs fed corn-soybean meal diets. Twelve cannulated pigs [body weight (BW) = 20.9 + 0.6 kg] were used in a 5-period switch-back design with 6 diets and 2 replicate pigs in each period (n = 10 observations per dietary treatment). Experimental diets consisted of increasing levels (0%, 0.5%, 0.75%, 1%, 1.25%, and 1.5%) of an isoacid blend (isobutyrate, isovalerate, and 2-methyl butyrate, 1:1:1) added to a corn-soybean meal basal diet containing titanium dioxide as an indigestible marker. Each experimental period lasted 14 d: 10 d for acclimatization to the diets, 2 d for fecal collection, and 2 d for digesta collection. Diets, fecal, and ileal digesta samples were analyzed for gross energy (GE), crude protein (CP), fiber composition, amino acids (AA), and titanium. The concentration of short-chain fatty acids and ammonia were analyzed in digesta and fecal samples. Orthogonal polynomial contrasts were used to determine the linear and quadratic effects of increasing levels of isoacids. Dietary supplementation of isoacids improved (P < 0.1, linear and/or quadratic) AID of crude fiber and hemicellulose and most of the indispensable AA (except Met+Cys, Trp, and Val) as well as ATTD of CP, GE, neutral detergent fiber, and hemicellulose. In addition, ATTD of Arg, His, Ile, Leu, Met+Cys, Phe, Thr, Trp, and Val increased quadratically (P < 0.1). Collectively, 1% isoacid inclusion promoted the greatest responses in most measured variables (% increase: unsupplemented vs. 1%): AID of Lys (9.3%), Met (5.7%), Thr (17.8%), Leu (7.4%), Ile (9.2%), Phe (7.8%), His (5.9%), Arg (4.9%); ATTD of CP (2.1%), GE (1.3%), NDF (3.9%), hemicellulose (>50%), overall indispensable AA (9.5%), overall dispensable AA (8.6%). On the other hand, the inclusion of isoacids quadratically increased (P = 0.071) the concentration of ammonia and decreased (P < 0.1) the concentration of acetic acid, iso-valeric acid, and total VFA in ileal digesta samples. In fecal samples, the proportion of acetic acid decreased (P < 0.05) quadratically while the proportion of propionic, valeric, and caproic acids increased (P < 0.1). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of isoacids at 1% can improve dietary nutrient digestibility, particularly ileal AA digestibility. Based on the changes in fermentation products, the modulation of intestinal microbiota through the gastrointestinal tract could be potentially related to the effects of isoacids on nutrient digestibility. However, the effects of isoacids supplementation on intestinal microbiota must be determined.

PSIII-20 Impact of EnduraPig on Performance of PRRSV-Negative growing-finishing pigs

Abstract A total of 479 weaned pigs [PIC Camborough × PIC 337; initial body weight (BW) = 26.8 kg; Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, PRRSV-negative] were used to evaluate the effects of EnduraPig (PMI Additives), a patent-pending feed additive that has been designed to support health, performance, and immune function of pigs, on growth performance of growing-finishing pigs. Pigs were blocked by initial BW and gender and assigned to 48 pens, which were allotted to one of 4 dietary treatments (12 pens/treatment, 9-10 pigs/pen), including T1) Control, T2) EnduraPig 0.1% (EP low), T3) EnduraPig 0.2% (EP medium), and T4) EnduraPig 0.3% (EP high). The EnduraPig inclusion levels were reduced by one-half when pigs reached approximately 70 kg BW (d 42). A five-phase feeding program was used with all diets formulated on a corn-DDGS-soybean meal basis to meet the nutrient requirements of growing-finishing pigs. Analysis of variance for growth measures was performed using the MIXED Procedure of SAS (SAS 9.4), and polynomial contrasts were used to evaluate linear, quadratic, and cubic effects of the EP levels. Significant differences were declared at P ≤ 0.05 and trends at P ≤ 0.10. During d 0-72, feeding EnduraPig tended to improve average daily gain (ADG) (0.96, 0.97, 1.00, and 0.97 kg, respectively; cubic, P = 0.06) with the greatest ADG observed in EP medium. During d 72 to market, feeding EnduraPig increased ADG (1.13, 1.14, 1.18, and 1.17 kg, respectively; linear, P = 0.02), average daily feed intake (ADFI; 3.48, 3.42, 3.55, and 3.49, respectively; cubic, P = 0.02) and feed:gain (3.08, 3.00, 3.01, and 2.98, respectively; linear, P = 0.10). Overall (d 0-market), feeding EnduraPig enhanced ADG (1.02, 1.02, 1.05, and 1.03 kg, respectively; linear, quadratic, and cubic, P = 0.04, 0.09, 0.01), with the greatest ADG observed in EP medium resulting in a 4.0 kg greater market BW compared with the control (128.9, 129.2, 132.9, and 130.5, respectively; linear and cubic, P < 0.05). In addition, feeding EnduraPig numerically improved feed:gain (2.51, 2.48, 2.48, and 2.48, respectively; linear, P = 0.14). With respect to BW variation, feeding EnduraPig reduced the standard deviation in market BW (10.65, 8.06, 8.86, and 9.54 kg, respectively; quadratic, P < 0.05), with the greatest reduction from EP low and EP medium (by 24 and 17%, respectively) compared with the control. In summary, data from this study indicate that feeding EnduraPig at 0.2% from 27 kg to 70 kg BW and 0.1% from 70 to market improves growth performance and reduces BW variation of PRRSV-negative growing-finishing pigs.

PSVI-16 Inclusion of dietary micelle silymarin on production performance, egg quality, storage capacity, and blood profile Sin Hy-line brown laying hens

Abstract Silymarin is known to have immunomodulating, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of micelle silymarin (MS) supplementation on production performance, egg quality, egg water loss, and blood profile in Hy-line brown laying hens. For 12 wk, a total of 288, 28-wk-old laying hens were randomly allocated into one of three treatment groups. The dietary treatments were control (CON) a basal diet and a basal diet supplemented with 0.03, and 0.06% of MS. All hens were housed in an individual cage with 38 cm width × 50 cm length × 40 cm height. Growth performance was recorded at d 1, wk 6, and wk 12. The egg production and feed conversion ratio were recorded at the end of every week. The egg quality and water loss were measured at the end of wk 4, 8, and 12. At initial and at the end of wk 12, 5 mL of blood was collected to analyze aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), triglycerides, albumin, and cholesterol concentrations. All data were analyzed by the GLM procedure of SAS. The polynomial orthogonal contrasts of increasing dietary MS supplementation were examined by linear and quadratic effects. The inclusion of MS supplement in laying hen diet did not exhibit significant impact on growth performance. However, MS group showed linear improvement in egg weight, Haugh Units, and eggshell strength throughout the trial period (P < 0.05). Additionally, egg yolk color and eggshell thickness indicated linear improvements particularly at wk 4 and 8 (P < 0.05). While albumen height and egg water in MS group were linearly increased at wk 12 (P < 0.05). Compared with CON, laying hens fed MS supplement has linearly decreased the ALP and cholesterol concentrations in the serum (P < 0.05). Based on the findings, we inferred that the inclusion of 0.04 to 0.06% MS in the laying hen diet would not only increase the production performance, egg quality, and egg water loss traits but also to improve laying hens’ health.

144 Bioavailability of calcium salt of hydroxy analogue of methionine relative to DL-methionine to support growth performance of 11 to 20 kg pigs

Abstract Methionine (Met) is typically the third limiting AA in commercial swine diets and is commonly supplied as dry DL-Met (99% pure) or DL-Met hydroxy analogue. Data on the relative bioavailability (RBV) of calcium salt of hydroxy analogue of DL-Met (MHA-Ca; 84%) compared with DL-Met in weaned pigs is scarce. The objective of the experiment was to determine the RBV of MHA-Ca compared with DL-Met to support growth performance of 11 to 20 kg pigs. A total of 504 piglets [DNA x Pietrain pigs; approximately 42 d of age and 11 kg body weight (BW)] were used in two blocks of 252 pigs each with 6 pigs (3 entire males and 3 gilts) per pen and 12 replicate pens per treatment. Within each block, pigs were randomly allotted to 7 diets for 21 d. A basal diet (BD) was formulated to be adequate in all essential nutrients except for Met (0.22% standardized ileal digestible Met), which was 61% of the SID Met requirement of 0.36% recommended by NRC (2012) for 10 to 25 kg pigs. The Met-deficient BD was then supplemented with 3 graded levels of DL-Met (0.05, 0.10, and 0.15%) or MHA-Ca (0.077, 0.154, and 0.231%) at the expense of corn. Pigs had ad libitum access to feed (mash) and water. Individual pigs and pen feed disappearance were weighed on d 0 and d 21 to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion rate (FCR). On d 21, blood samples were collected from 1 pig per pen after 8 h fasting to determine total protein, albumin and glucose. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design using GLM procedure of SAS 9.4 (SAS Inst. Inc.). Orthogonal-polynomial contrasts were used to determine linear and quadratic effects of increasing levels of DL-Met and MHA-Ca, and the effect of Met sources. The final BW at d 21 and overall average daily gain (ADG; 375, 401, 429, 430, 402, 431, and 428 g/d for diets 1 to 7, respectively) increased linearly (P < 0.01) by graded additions with both Met sources. The ADFI was not different but the overall FCR (1.64, 1.55, 1.51, 1.45, 1.59, 1.46, and 1.50 for diets 1 to 7, respectively) improved linearly (P < 0.01) by supplementation with DL-Met or MHA-Ca. Pig performance responses (ADG, ADFI and FCR) was not different (P ≥ 0.15) when Met was supplemented in the Met-deficient diet at a DL-Met to MHA-Ca ratio of 65:100 on a product basis. Plasma concentrations of total protein, albumin and glucose on d 21 were not affected (P >0.05) by dietary treatments or Met sources. Based on ADG as a response of Met supplementation level, the linear and exponential regressions estimated the RBV of 64 and 65%, respectively for MHA-Ca relative to DL-Met (product-to-product basis) in 11 to 20 kg pigs.

267 Effects of replacing soybean meal with a hydrothermal mechanical processed soybean meal on growth performance and health of nursery pigs fed a low complexity diet

Abstract An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that replacing soybean meal (SBM) with a hydrothermal mechanical processed (HTM) SBM (Provisoy), optimized for digestibility, would improve growth performance of nursery pigs. In total, 1,680 weaned pigs [5.4 ± 0.2 kg initial body weight (BW)] were allotted to 16 replicate pens per treatment (21 pigs per pen) in 2 barns. Pens were blocked by location within barn and randomly allotted to 5 treatments with 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% HTM SBM. A low complexity diet with 31% conventional SBM and limited inclusion of highly digestible protein ingredients and health promoting additives was used as the basal diet for the 0% HTM SBM treatment, and HTM SBM was added at the expense of conventional SBM at levels of 5, 10, 15, and 20% in phase 1 (d 0-10) and phase 2 (d 10-22), respectively. Pig and feed weights were recorded at the beginning and end of each phase. Data were analyzed using the lme4 package of R 4.1.2, and the statistical model included the fixed effect of treatment, as well as the random effects of barn and location within barn. Mortality and removals were analyzed as generalized linear mixed models, with a binomial distribution. Contrasts were used to evaluate the linear and quadratic effect of increased dietary inclusion of HTM SBM. Results indicated that increasing HTM SBM linearly improved (P < 0.01) gain to feed ratio (G:F) in phase 1 and tended (P < 0.10) to linearly improve average daily gain (ADG) and G:F d 0 to 22 post-weaning (Table 1). Mortality and removals were numerically reduced when HTM SBM was added to the diet. In conclusion, replacing SBM with HTM SBM up to 20% in a low complexity diet improved early nursery performance and numerically reduced mortality and removals.

163 Impact of feeding wet or dry traditional or fractionated (Solbran) distiller’s grains on feedlot cattle performance and carcass characteristics

Abstract Solbran (ICM, Colwich, KS) is new corn byproduct of ethanol production composed of fiber plus condensed distiller’s solubles and can be fed dry (Dry Solbran; NDF = 41.1%; CP = 21.84%; Ether extract = 8.4%), or wet (Wet Solbran; NDF = 49.7%; CP = 22.67%; Ether extract = 8.5%). The objective of this study was to evaluate the energy value of dry and wet Solbran compared with traditional dry- (DDGS) and wet- distiller’s grains plus solubles (WGGS) in beef cattle finishing diets. The treatments included a control (CON) with no distiller’s grains compared with the inclusion of DDGS, WDGS, Dry Solbran and Wet Solbran at two levels (20% and 40%) resulting in a 2 × 2 × 2 + 1 factorial. Orthogonal contrasts defined linear and quadratic effects of byproduct inclusion through the common intercept of CON. Additionally, interactions among inclusion (20% or 40%), moisture (dry and wet) and processing method (Solbran or traditional) were evaluated as a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial without CON. There was a linear increase in dry matter intake (DMI) by adding DDGS, Dry Solbran, and Wet Solbran (P < 0.01) and a tendency for a linear increase in dry matter intake (DMI) with WDGS (P = 0.07). There was a linear increase in ADG by adding DDGS or Wet Solbran (P < 0.05) and a tendency for a linear increase in average daily gain (ADG) with the addition of Dry Solbran or WDGS (P < 0.10). These changes in DMI and ADG resulted in a linear decrease in gain to feed ratio (G:F) when Dry Solbran was added (P < 0.01), and a tendency towards a linear decrease in G:F when DDGS was added (P < 0.10). The inclusion of Wet Solbran or WDGS did not influence G:F (P = 0.45). For the 2 × 2 × 2 factorial, there was a 2-way interaction for moisture by inclusion of byproduct for G:F where wet byproduct fed at 40% of the diet resulted in the greatest G:F and 40% dry byproduct resulted in the least G:F (P = 0.04). This interaction was driven by an increase in DMI for 40% byproduct when fed dry, and a reduction in DMI for both 20 and 40% byproduct fed wet. There was no difference in ADG between the treatments (P = 0.75). For the main effect byproduct type, steers fed Solbran had greater DMI (P < 0.01) with no difference in ADG (P = 0.79), resulting in a 3% reduction in G:F (P = 0.03) for steers fed Solbran but greater marbling (P < 0.01). Impact of feeding distillers grains byproducts on DMI, ADG, and G:F are impacted by the processes used in the ethanol plant, whether wet or dry, and dietary inclusion.

95 Effects of increasing standardized ileal digestible valine:lysine ratio on growth performance in finishing pigs

Abstract Two experiments evaluated the effects of increasing standardized ileal digestible (SID) Val:Lys ratio on the growth performance of 38 to 67 kg (Exp. 1) and 90 to 116 kg (Exp. 2) finishing pigs. In Exp. 1, pigs (n = 647; DNA 600 × 241) were randomly allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments with 8 or 9 pigs per pen and 12 replications per treatment. Diets were corn-soybean meal-based, and low and high Val diets were manufactured and blended to create intermediate Val:Lys ratio diets. Diets were formulated to contain 0.90% SID Lys, and treatments consisted of SID Val:Lys ratios of 60%, 63%, 66%, 69%, 72%, and 75%. At the conclusion of the 27-d study, all pigs were fed a common diet for 30 d and then randomly re-allotted to 1 of 6 diets formulated to contain 0.65% SID Lys and SID Val:Lys ratios of 63%, 66%, 69%, 72%, 75%, and 78% (Exp. 2). In both experiments blood samples were collected from 3 pigs per pen on d 15 for plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) analysis. In Exp. 1, final body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and average daily feed intake (ADFI) increased (quadratic, P < 0.05) as Val:Lys increased (Table). Pigs fed the diet with 66% SID Val:Lys ratio had the greatest ADG, whereas pigs fed 72% SID Val:Lys ratio had the greatest ADFI. As the Val:Lys ratio increased, gain to feed ratio (G:F) decreased (linear, P < 0.05). Valine and Lys intake increased (quadratic, P < 0.05) as the Val:Lys ratio increased with the greatest intake observed at 72% SID Val:Lys. Valine and Lys intake per kg of gain increased (linear, P < 0.05) as the level of Val in the diet increased. Plasma urea nitrogen decreased (linear, P < 0.05) as the Val:Lys ratio increased. In Exp. 2, ADG and ADFI increased (linear, P < 0.05) as Val:Lys increased. However, for ADG there was little improvement from feeding greater than 69% SID Val:Lys. There were no linear or quadratic effects (P > 0.05) for SID Val:Lys on G:F or PUN. Valine intake, Lys intake, and Val intake per kg of gain increased (linear, P < 0.05) as the Val:Lys ratio increased. There were no differences (P > 0.05) observed in Lys intake per kg of gain. Based on the results of this study, it appears that 66% SID Val:Lys ratio maximizes ADG in 38to 67 kg pigs, and only small increases in ADG were observed when feeding greater than 69% SID Val:Lys for 90 to 116 kg finishing pigs.

PSI-15 Effect of feeding intact protein from soybean meal instead of crystalline amino acids on energy and nitrogen balance by growing pigs

Abstract The objective was to test the hypothesis that feeding intact protein from soybean meal (SBM) to growing pigs instead of crystalline amino acids (AA) increases nitrogen (N) retention, digestible energy (DE), and metabolizable energy (ME). A control corn-SBM diet and three diets, in which the inclusion rate of SBM was reduced and 3, 4, or 5 crystalline AA (i.e., Lys, Met, Thr, Trp, Val) were added, were formulated. The concentration of standardized ileal digestible AA was constant among diets, but crude protein was reduced as crystalline AA were added. Pigs were limit fed at 3.2 times the ME requirement for maintenance. Forty pigs (initial body weight = 20.5 kg; SD = 2.4) were allotted to the 4 diets using a randomized complete block design with 2 blocks of 20 pigs with five pigs per diet in each block. Pigs were housed in metabolism crates with pans and screens that allowed for quantitative collection of feces and urine for 4 d after 5 d of adaptation. Samples of diets, feces, and urine were analyzed for gross energy (GE) and N. The statistical model included diet as fixed effect and block as random effect, and pig was the experimental unit. Contrasts coefficients were used to determine linear and quadratic effects of reducing dietary protein. Results indicated that apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM) decreased (quadratic, P = 0.027) and ATTD of GE tended to decrease (quadratic, P = 0.076; Table 1) as SBM inclusion was reduced in the diets. Absorbed N, retained N (g/d), and ATTD of N were decreased (linear, P < 0.001) as SBM decreased in diets, but retention of N (% of intake and % of absorbed) increased (linear, P < 0.001) as SBM decreased in diets. The DE decreased (linear, P = 0.007) as SBM decreased in diets, whereas SBM had no effect on ME. Dietary SBM also had no effect on ME to GE ratio, but ME to DE increased (linear, P = 0.008) by reducing SBM in diets. In conclusion, diets containing intact protein from SBM had greater ATTD of GE and N, and greater DE, but reduced N retention rate when compared with diets containing crystalline AA. However, daily protein retention could not be maintained when crystalline AA rather than SBM were used to furnish the digestible AA in the diets, which may have negative consequences on carcass quality.

54 Effects of a new biosynthetic 6-phytase supplementation on nutrient digestibility, phytate disappearance and growth efficiency in weaning piglets fed low in calcium and digestible phosphorus diets

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of adding graded levels of a new biosynthetic bacterial 6-phytase on nutrient digestibility, phytate disappearance and growth performance in weaned piglets. A total of 192 male weaned piglets with initial body weight of 8.70 ± kg, distributed in a randomized block design with four treatments and 24 replicate pens with 2 animals each for 42 d. The experimental diets included a phosphorus and Ca deficient diet (STTD of P/Ca = 0.21%/0.58% and 0.19%/0.54%, respectively, in post-weaning 1 and 2 diets) containing 0 (a control diet), 500, 1,000 or 1,500 FTU/kg diet. The diets were fed into 2 phases: post-weaning 1 and 2 from 1 to 14 and 15 to 42 d, respectively. Body weight and feed intake were measured at the end of each phase, and average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated for the overall experimental period. On d 42, ileal digesta samples were collected from 1 piglet/pen (n = 12 samples/treatment) for apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of Ca, P, and amino acids and phytate disappearance determination. Supplementation of diet with phytase from 0 to 1500 FTU/kg diet linearly improved (P < 0.01) AID of Ca. Both linear and quadratic effects (P < 0.001) was observed for AID of P and phytate-P. Increasing level of phytase supplementation resulted in linear and quadratic increases of Arg, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Phe, Thr, Trp, Val, Ala, Asp, Cys, Glu, Ser, Tyr and total amino acids. Phytase supplementation increased (P < 0.0001) linearly Met and Pro, with an AID of Met showing a tendency (P = 0.09) for a quadratic increase. In addition, increasing phytase dose linearly increased (P = 0.006) the overall ADFI and ADG and decreased (P < 0.001) F:G ratio. Also, a tendency (P = 0.07) for quadratic effect of phytase was also observed on F:G ratio. These findings highlight that the supplementation of diets with the new bacterial 6-phytase significantly enhanced the utilization of nutrients, disappearance of phytate and performances of weaned piglets in a dose dependent manner.

PSVI-17 Inclusion of glutathione precursor to diet of sows from d 114of lactation through to weaning d 21 improves serum hormone concentrations and piglet performance

Abstract Glutathione (GSH) is a critical endogenous antioxidant found in all eukaryotic cells and has a critical role in maintaining redox homeostasis. Greater GSH concentrations protect cellular damage, tissue degeneration, and disease progression in various models but very limited study exists in swine model. Thus, we aimed to examine the effect of GSH supplementation on lactating sows and their suckling performance. From d 114 of lactation to 21 d of weaning, a total of 40 multiparous sows (Landrace x Yorkshire, parity 2.4) were assigned to one of four dietary treatments. The test treatments were: CON, a basal diet and a basal diet supplemented with 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3% GSH precursors. Experimental data (reproductive performance, growth performance, and blood profile) was analyzed by the general linear model (GLM) procedure with individual sow and their progenies as an experimental unit. Orthogonal polynomial regression was conducted to determine the linear and quadratic effects of 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3% GSH precursors in pigs. Piglets born to sows fed GSH precursors showed linearly increased body weight and total average daily gain (P < 0.05) at the end of weaning d 21. Moreover, dietary GSH showed linearly increased (P < 0.05) GSH and GSH/GSSG (oxidized glutathione) ratio in sow blood at the end of lactation d 14 and d 21. Whereas, at the end of weaning serum cortisol concentration of sows was significantly reduced by GSH precursor supplementation. In conclusion, adding 0.3% of GSH supplement to lactating sow diet would be beneficial to enhance the immune status and performance of both sows and their progenies respectively.

91 The effect of increasing oat groat levels on nursery pig performance, digesta pH, and fecal consistency and physicochemical properties in young pig diets

Abstract Post-weaning growth delay in pigs is a well-documented challenge associated with the stressors inherent in the weaning process. Oat-based dietary interventions have shown potential in improving fecal consistency, increasing feed intake, and improving feed efficiency. However, the direct effect of oat groats on the fecal physicochemical properties and dry matter (DM) is largely unknown. The experimental objective was to evaluate increasing inclusions of oat groats in young pig diets on pig performance, digesta pH, and fecal consistency and physicochemical properties. Newly weaned pigs (n = 128) with an initial body weight (BW) of 5.4 ± 0.27 kg were randomly assigned to one of four treatments (n = 8 split sex pens) for a 35-d study. Dietary treatments consisted of 0%, 5%, 10% or 15% inclusion of oat groats at the expense of corn. Treatments were applied across 2 dietary phases and a common diet fed during phase 3: d 0-7 (phase 1), d 7-21 (phase 2), d 21-35 (phase 3). On d 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35, pigs and feeders were weighed, pen fecal samples were collected, and fecal scores were evaluated using a 4-point scale (1 = solid, 2 = semi-solid, 3 = semi-liquid, 4 = liquid). Fresh fecal samples were analyzed for water binding capacity (WBC), and fecal DM. On d 14, one pig per pen closest to the mean BW was necropsied, and ileal, cecal, and colonic digesta pH were measured. Continuous data were analyzed as a linear mixed model (PROC MIXED) with treatment and period as fixed effects, and initial BW as a covariate where appropriate. Orthogonal polynomial contrasts were used to determine the linear and quadratic effects of increased inclusion. Fecal scores were analyzed using odd logistic regression. There was a linear increase in average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) as oat groat inclusion increased from d 0-7 and d 7-14 (Linear P < 0.05). However, from d 14 to 21, and d 21 to 35 there was no longer an impact of oat inclusion on ADG (P > 0.782) or ADFI (P > 0.405). Feed efficiency did not differ among treatments (P > 0.71). Oat groat inclusion had no effect on fecal scores throughout the study (P = 0.743). However, fecal DM% increased as oat groat inclusion did on d 7 and 14 (Linear P < 0.01), and fecal WBC tended to be increased in 5% and 10% oat groat diets (Diet; P = 0.063). Ileal and colonic pH did not differ among treatments, but cecal pH tended to be less in pigs fed 10 and 15% oat groats (P = 0.089). In conclusion, increasing oat groats in nursery diets increased ADFI, ADG, and altered fecal DM, but did not impact feed efficiency.

64 Effect of feeding intact protein from soybean meal instead of crystalline amino acids on growth performance, protein synthesis, and immune response of growing pigs

Abstract The objective was to test the hypothesis that feeding intact protein from soybean meal (SBM) instead of crystalline amino acids (AA) does not affect growth performance, protein synthesis, intestinal morphology, or immune response of growing pigs. A control corn-SBM diet was used. Three additional diets were formulated by reducing the inclusion rate of SBM and adding 3, 4, or 5 crystalline AA (i.e., Lys, Met, Thr, Trp, Val) to the diets, which resulted in reducing the protein concentration from 20.0% to 13.4%. All diets were formulated to meet requirements for standardized ileal digestible indispensable AA. A total of 176 pigs [initial body weight (BW) = 32.2 kg; SD = 4.2] were used. On d 1, 16 randomly chosen pigs were euthanized and body nutrient composition was determined. The remaining 160 pigs were allotted to the 4 diets using a randomized complete block design with 4 pigs per pen and 10 replicate pens per diet. Starting BW was the blocking factor. Individual pig BW and feed consumption were recorded. On d 28, one pig per pen was slaughtered and blood, carcass, and viscera were collected and analyzed for N, fat, and energy to calculate deposition in the body. Ileal mucosa, ileum and colon tissue and digesta were analyzed for blood characteristics, cytokines, tissue morphology, ammonia, and gene expression. Contrasts coefficients were used to determine linear and quadratic effects of reducing dietary protein. Results indicated that average daily gain, average daily feed intake, gain to feed ratio, carcass characteristics, and protein, lipid, and energy depositions were not affected by reducing SBM and increasing crystalline AA in diets (Table 1). However, energy efficiency tended to decrease (quadratic, P = 0.083) by reducing dietary protein. Blood urea N was reduced (linear, P < 0.001) as dietary protein was reduced, but blood total protein was not affected by dietary treatment. Cytokines, ileal and jejunal morphologies, and gene abundance of AA transporters in the ileal mucosa were not affected by dietary protein. Ammonia concentrations in ileal digesta increased and then decreased (quadratic, P = 0.043) and colon digesta tended to increase and then decrease (quadratic, P = 0.074) as dietary protein was reduced. Bacteria protein in colon digesta was reduced (linear, P = 0.030) by reducing dietary protein. In conclusion, providing AA from intact protein from SBM or from crystalline AA did not affect growth performance, intestinal morphology, and immune response of pigs. However, SBM in diets can provide energy that may be utilized more efficiently than energy from diets with less SBM and crystalline AA. Further research is suggested to elucidate if SBM improves utilization of other nutrients in diets for pigs.