Liquid Milk Replacer Research Articles

Effect of supplemental milk replacer and liquid starter diet for 4 and 11 days postweaning on intestinal parameters of weaned piglets and growth to slaughter

Reduced piglet feed intake immediately postweaning (pw) leads to disruption of small intestine structure and function and reduced growth. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of providing supplemental milk or liquid starter diet for either 4 or 11 days pw, on intestinal parameters of newly weaned piglets and growth to slaughter. At weaning (28 ± 0.6 days old), five hundred and eighty−seven piglets ((Large White × Landrace) × Duroc) were divided into 59 pen groups, each containing 9–10 same sex (entire male or female) piglets. The pen groups were blocked by sex and weaning weight and provided with ad-libitum access to one of five dietary treatments: (1) Dry pelleted starter diet (control; CON); (2) CON+liquid milk replacer for 4 days pw (M4); (3) CON+liquid milk replacer for 11 days pw (M11); (4) CON+liquid starter diet for 4 days pw (S4) and (5) CON+liquid starter diet for 11 days pw (S11). Pen groups were weighed at weaning, days 11, 20, 28, and 47 pw and at target sale weight. Feed disappearance (on a DM basis) was recorded on each weighing day. On day 7 pw, 10 piglets per treatment were euthanised to collect small intestine tissue samples for determination of villus height (VH), crypt depth and brush-border membrane enzyme activity. Data were analysed using SAS-version 9.4. Between days 0 and 11 pw, M11 increased average daily feed intake by 48% and average daily gain (ADG) by 57% compared to CON (P < 0.05), and increased ADG by 54% (P < 0.05) compared to S4. Piglets on M11 also had improved feed conversion efficiency compared with CON piglets between days 0 and 11 pw. Treatment did not affect growth performance after day 28 pw, or carcass parameters at slaughter. At day 7 pw, M11 piglets had 37% higher jejunal VH than CON piglets (P < 0.05) and S11 piglets had 28% higher ileal VH than S4 piglets (P < 0.05). M11 piglets had up to 150% higher ileal sucrase activity than M4, S4 and S11 piglets (P < 0.05) and 180% higher ileal maltase activity than S4 piglets (P < 0.05). In conclusion, M11 reduced the immediate negative effects of weaning, as it was associated with increased feed intake, growth, brush-border membrane enzyme activity and improved intestinal structure early pw. However, there were no carryover effects of any of the liquid supplements on growth or feed efficiency or carcass weight at slaughter.

Effect of Addition of a Mixture of Ethyl Esters of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid of Linseed Oil to Liquid Feed on Performance and Health of Dairy Calves.

This study aimed to determine the effect of supplementing liquid feeds with a mixture of ethyl esters of polyunsaturated fatty acid of linseed oil (EEPUFA; α-linolenic acid-64.5%, linoleic acid-16.1%, and oleic acid-19.4%) on feed intake, body weight gain, feed efficiency, and health of dairy calves. Thirty-six healthy female Holstein-Friesian calves (7 d of age, 41.2 ± 4.0 kg) were assigned to one of two treatment groups (18 calves per group), i.e., control or EEPUFA, and fed liquid feed (whole milk (WM) or milk replacer (MR)) either without or with 10 mL/d of EEPUFA supplementation, respectively, for 56 days (till 63 d of age). Average daily intake of WM and MR was similar between treatments (p = 0.94). Average daily total DM intake and average daily starter feed DM intake were higher for the EEPUFA group (p = 0.05 and p = 0.01, respectively). The average daily body weight gain was also higher for the EEPUFA group (55 g/d; p = 0.03), although final body weight turned out not to be significantly different between groups (75.6 kg vs. 79.0 kg, control vs. EEPUFA, respectively; p = 0.20). Supplementation of liquid feeds with EEPUFA did not affect feed efficiency (p = 0.37) and most of investigated health parameters. However, the percentage of days with diarrhea relative to the number of days receiving treatment was higher in the control group than the EEPUFA group (76 vs. 42, respectively; p = 0.04). Although the results of this preliminary study are promising, further research is needed to establish the dose effect of EEPUFA on the performance and health of calves.

Effectiveness of the liquid method of feeding suckling piglets

The article examined the dependence of sow productivity, the growth rate of suckling piglets, their weight at transfer to rearing, the consumption of precursor feeds, and their costs on dry and liquid feeding systems for piglets in the suckling period. The dependence on feed costs for piglet feeding, veterinary drugs for prevention, and the costs and profitability of piglet rearing in these feeding systems were analyzed. It was found that the use of the liquid milk replacer Opticare Milk helped to improve the survival rate of piglets up to weaning by 7.5 %, increase their number in the sow's nest at this time by 7.0 %, increase the average daily growth of suckling piglets by 20.4 %, increase the absolute weight gain by 19.8 %, increase the weight of the piglet litter at weaning by 22.0 % and increase the individual weight of the piglets at weaning by 14.7 % compared to piglet litters fed dry granulated starter provide Superior Neonatal. Multiple fertility, high fertility, and litter weight of piglets at birth did not depend on how piglets were fed during the suckling period. With liquid feeding of suckling piglets, the proportion of piglets with diarrhea decreased by 12.20 % and the costs for the prevention of gastrointestinal diseases increased by 58.5 %, the costs for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases by 55.4 %, and the veterinary costs for rearing a piglet during the suckling period by 53.8 % compared to analogs with dry feeding. To 1 kg of gain, these costs increased by 33.1 % due to prevention and 28.4 % due to treatment, resulting in a 28.5 % overrun of the total costs for treatment and prevention. In general, the costs for feeding and medical and preventive measures increased by 157.8 % per animal and 122.2 % per 1 kg of gain compared to dry feeding. At the same time, under the liquid feeding system for suckling piglets, the cost of keeping a sow per weaned piglet fell by 6.00 %. The proportion of these costs per piglet decreased by 21.6 %, and the cost of keeping a sow per 1 kg increased. Still, the cost of a piglet at weaning increases by 13.2 %, the cost of 1 kg live weight of piglets at weaning increases by 5.6 %, the share of feed and veterinary components in the cost of rearing a piglet increases by 9.1 %, and by 3.4 %. At the same time, the market value increases by 14.7 %, the income from rearing a piglet rises by 17.9 %, and the profitability of rearing a piglet increases by 1.95 %.

Effect of creep feeding pelleted starter diet, liquid milk replacer and a liquid mixture of starter diet and milk replacer to suckling pigs on their growth and medication usage.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of creep-feeding solid starter diet, liquid milk replacer, and a liquid mixture of starter diet and milk replacer to suckling pigs on their growth and medication usage up to target slaughter weight (approximately 120kg). Ninety-one sows and their litters were randomly assigned to one of four post-farrowing treatments at day 107 of gestation; (1) no creep feed provided to weaning at day 28 of age (CONTROL; n = 20), (2) dry pelleted starter diet provided as creep feed from day 10 of age to weaning (DPS; n = 25), (3) liquid milk replacer provided as creep feed from day 3 of age to weaning (LMR; n = 23), and (4) liquid milk replacer provided from days 3 to 6 of age followed by a mixture of liquid milk replacer with an increasing proportion of liquid starter diet to weaning provided as creep feed (LMR + S; n = 23). Pig weight and dry matter disappearance (DMd) were recorded during lactation and postweaning until pigs reached target slaughter weight (approximately 120kg). At target slaughter weight, carcass weight and quality were recorded. Medication (antibiotic and anti-inflammatory) usage per pig on a litter basis, and number of injections and clinical cases of disease per litter were recorded from birth to slaughter. At day 5 postweaning, a subset of pigs (n = 40) were sacrificed and intestinal samples were collected for histological analysis. Piglets supplemented with DPS had higher DMd of creep feed than those supplemented with LMR or LMR + S (P < 0.001). Providing LMR + S to suckling piglets reduced the coefficient of variation (CV) for within-litter piglet weaning weight (P < 0.01) compared to DPS and LMR, buttheCV of LMR + S was similar to that of CONTROL. Providing DPS or LMR to suckling piglets increased piglet weaning weight compared to CONTROL (P < 0.001) but pig weight was not significantly different from CONTROL at time points thereafter. Gain to feed ratio from weaning to day 6 postweaning was less for LMR pigs compared to all other treatments (P < 0.001). Providing DPS or LMR + S to suckling piglets tended to increase postweaning ileal villus height (P = 0.07). Diarrhea incidence, as well as the number of clinical cases of disease and injections per litter and volume of antibiotic and anti-inflammatory administered per pig pre- and postweaning, were not affected by treatment (P > 0.05). In conclusion, supplementing suckling pigs with liquid milk replacer or dry pelleted starter diet improved growth at weaning, but the benefit did not persist to slaughter.

SOW TO SUCCESS: CRAFTING AN ADVANCED LIQUID MILK REPLACER FOR THRIVING EARLY-WEANED PIGLET GROWTH

This research explores the development of a cutting-edge liquid milk replacer designed to enhance the rearing process of early-weaned piglets. The study focuses on formulating a nutritionally balanced substitute that meets the specific needs of piglets during the critical stages of weaning, aiming to optimize growth, health, and overall well-being. Through a combination of nutritional analysis, ingredient selection, and performance evaluations, the liquid milk replacer aims to serve as a vital component in supporting successful early-weaned piglet development. The outcomes of this research contribute valuable insights to the field of swine nutrition and husbandry, offering a promising solution for pig farmers seeking improved rearing practices.

187 Effect of Piglet Weaning Weight on Wean-to-Finish Growth Performance and Ultrasound Carcass Measures

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of variation in piglet weaning weight (WW) resulting from interventions during lactation on post-weaning performance. A split-split plot design was used with a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: 1) Liquid milk replacer [MR; main plot; No Supplement (NS) vs. Supplement (SU)]; 2) Litter size [LS; sub-plot; LOW (4 pigs less than functional teat number) vs. HIGH (2 pigs greater than functional teat number)]; 3) WW [sub-sub-plot; LIGHT (2 lightest barrows and 2 lightest gilts within each litter) vs. HEAVY (2 heaviest barrows and 2 heaviest gilts within each litter)]. Each MR feeder was available to 2 litters, one on the LOW and one on the HIGH LS treatment. Cross-fostering was carried out at 24 h after birth to create LS treatment litters; MR treatment was applied from 24 h after birth until weaning (20 days of age). The study involved 256 pigs housed in mixed-sex pens of 4 pigs (2 barrows; 2 gilts) and was carried out from weaning to a fixed pen weight (130.0 ± 2.27 kg). Pigs were weighed at start and end of the study when ultrasound scans were collected (at the 10th rib) to measure backfat depth (BF) and Longissimus muscle area (LMA). Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS; the model accounted for fixed effects of MR, LS, WW, and all interactions, and random effects of replicate, replicate by MR interaction and replicate by MR by LS interaction. There were no treatment interactions (P &amp;gt; 0.05) for any measurements (Table 1). The MR treatment had no effect (P &amp;gt; 0.05) on WW; the SU treatment had greater (P ≤ 0.05) ADFI but had no effect (P &amp;gt; 0.05) on other measurements compared with the NS treatment (Table 1). Compared with the LOW LS treatment, the HIGH LS treatment had lighter WW (1.7 kg; P ≤ 0.05), and greater days on test (4 days; P ≤ 0.05); however, there were no differences (P &amp;gt; 0.05) for other measurements. Compared with the LIGHT WW treatment, HEAVY pigs had greater WW (1.7 kg; P ≤ 0.05), fewer days on test (7.9 days; P ≤ 0.05), greater (P ≤ 0.05) overall ADG (38 g) and ADFI (78 g), less BF (0.17 cm; P ≤ 0.05) and greater LMA (1.37 cm2; P ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, providing MR during lactation had little effect on post-weaning performance. However, increasing LS above sow functional teat number reduced WW and increased the time to reach harvest weight with no effect on post-weaning growth performance. In addition, HEAVY WW piglets had improved post-weaning growth performance and carcass lean measurements compared with LIGHT WW piglets.

292 Effect of Providing Supplemental Milk and Liquid Starter Diet for 4 and 11 Days, Respectively, Post-Weaning on Feed Intake, Growth and Intestinal Structure and Function of Newly Weaned Piglets

Abstract Reduced piglet feed intake, immediately post-weaning (PW), leads to disruption of the intestinal barrier, often resulting in health issues such as diarrhea. The objective was to evaluate the effect of providing supplemental milk and liquid starter diet for 4 and 11 days PW, respectively, on feed intake, growth, and intestinal structure and function of newly weaned piglets. Weaned piglets [n = 587 (Large White x Landrace) x Duroc; 28 days old] ) were divided into 59 pen groups each containing 9 to 10 same sex (entire male or female) piglets. The pen groups were blocked by sex and weaning weight and provided with ad libitum access to one of 5 dietary treatments: 1) Dry pelleted starter diet (control; CON); 2) CON + liquid milk replacer for 4 days (M4); 3) CON + liquid milk replacer for 11 days (M11); 4) CON + liquid starter diet for 4 days (S4) and 5) CON + liquid starter diet for 11 days (S11). Pen groups were weighed at weaning, days 11, 20 and 28 PW and feed disappearance (dry matter basis) was recorded on each weighing day. On day 7 PW, 10 piglets per treatment were euthanized to collect jejunal and ileal tissue samples. Villus height (VH), crypt depth and brush-border membrane (BBM) enzyme activity were determined from the tissue samples. Data were analysed with PROC MIXED (SAS-version 9.4, SAS Institute Inc.) with treatment as a fixed effect, block as a random effect, weaning weight as a co-variate and days PW as the repeated measure. Pen group was the experimental unit. From day 0 to 11 PW, M11 increased average daily gain (ADG) by 57% and average daily feed intake (ADFI) by 48% compared with CON (P &amp;lt; 0.05). M11 increased ADG by 54% and ADFI by 38% compared with S4 (P &amp;lt; 0.05) from day 0 to 11 PW. However, ADG and ADFI did not differ among treatment groups from day 11 to 28 PW. The treatments did not affect feed conversion ratio (P &amp;gt; 0.05) from day 0 to 28 PW. At day 7 PW, M11 piglets had 37% higher jejunal VH than CON piglets (P &amp;lt; 0.05) and S11 piglets had 28% higher ileal VH than S4 piglets (P &amp;lt; 0.05). The treatments did not affect crypt depth (P &amp;gt; 0.05). M11 piglets had up to 1.5-fold greater ileal sucrase activity compared with M4, S4 and S11 piglets (P &amp;lt; 0.05) and 1.8-fold greater ileal maltase activity compared with S4 piglets (P &amp;lt; 0.05). In conclusion, M11 and S11 reduced the negative effects of weaning, as they were associated with increased feed intake and growth in early PW. Offering feed in liquid form for longer than 4 days PW improved intestinal structure and increased BBM enzyme activity in newly weaned piglets.

180 Effect of Providing Liquid Milk Replacer During Lactation to Litters of Different Size on Piglet Pre-Weaning Performance

Abstract Larger litter sizes in commercial sows are generally associated with greater pre-weaning mortality (PWM) and lower piglet weaning weight (WW). Providing liquid milk replacer (MR) to piglets during lactation has been advocated for reducing PWM and increasing WW. The objective was to evaluate the effect of providing MR (using an automated feeder) to litters of different size on PWM and WW. A split-plot design with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was used: 1) MR [main plot; No Supplement (NS) vs. Supplement (SU)]; 2) Litter Size [LS; sub-plot; LOW (4 piglets less than functional teat number) vs. HIGH (2 piglets greater than functional teat number)]. Each MR feeder was available to 2 litters, one on the LOW and one on the HIGH LS treatment. There were 26 sows and litters per MR and LS treatment. Cross-fostering was carried out 24 hours after birth to create LS treatment litters which had similar gender ratio, proportion of cross-fostered piglets, and average and CV of piglet birth weight. Milk replacer was available from 24 hours after birth (day 1; start of study) to weaning (day 20; end of study). Piglets were weighed at the start and end; all PWM was recorded. Piglet weight data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS; PWM data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX. Models accounted for the fixed effects of MR, LS, and the interaction, and random effects of replicate and replicate by MR interaction. There was a MR by LS treatment interaction (P ≤ 0.05) for total litter WW and PWM (Table 1). The MR treatment had no effect (P &amp;gt; 0.05) on total litter WW for the LOW LS treatment; however, for the HIGH LS treatment total litter WW was greater (P ≤ 0.05) for the SU than the NS treatment. For the NS treatment, PWM was greater (P ≤ 0.05) for the HIGH than the LOW treatment; however, PWM did not differ (P &amp;gt; 0.05) between the LS treatments for litters that had access to MR. There was no effect (P ≤ 0.05) of MR treatment on litter size or average piglet weight at the start and end of the study. The HIGH LS treatment had greater (P ≤ 0.05) litter size at the start and end of the study, but less (P ≤ 0.05) average piglet WW. In conclusion, increasing litter size above sow functional teat number had negative effects on piglet WW. In addition, providing MR to litters during lactation increased total litter WW in the HIGH but not LOW LS treatment. These results also suggest that providing MR reduced the negative effect of the larger litter size on PWM; however, further research is needed to validate this finding.

A meta-analysis on the effects of probiotics on the performance of pre-weaning dairy calves

BackgroundProbiotics have been used in livestock production for many years, but information on their benefits during the early life of calves is inconsistent. This study aimed to assess the effects of probiotics on the performance of pre-weaning dairy calves and identify the factors influencing their effect sizes.ResultsForty-nine studies were selected for meta-analysis based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study qualities were evaluated using a predefined risk assessment tool following GRADE guidelines. Meta-analysis results showed that probiotics increased the growth performance (body weight by 1.988 kg and average daily gain by 40.689 g/d), decreased digestibility and feed efficiency (feed conversion rate by 0.073), altered rumen parameter (decreased acetate by 2.815 mmol/L and increased butyrate by 0.788 mmol/L), altered blood parameter (decreased AST by 4.188 U/L, increased BHBA by 0.029 mmol/L and IgG by 0.698 g/L), increased faecal parameter (faecal bacteria counts by 0.680 log10 CFU/g), based on the strict criteria (PSMD < 0.05, I2 < 50%). Additionally, probiotics increased digestibility and feed efficiency (starter dry matter intake by 0.034 kg/d and total dry matter intake by 0.020 kg/d), altered blood parameter (increased IgA by 0.313 g/L, IgM by 0.262 g/L, and total antioxidant capacity by 0.441 U/mL, decreased MDA by 0.404 nmol/mL), decreased faecal parameter (faecal score by 0.052), based on the loose criteria (PSMD < 0.05, I2 > 50%).Regression and sub-group analyses showed that probiotic strains, supplementation dosage, and methods significantly affected the performance of calves. The probiotics supplied with more than 9.5 log10 CFU/d significantly increased IgA and IgM contents (PSMD < 0.05). Additionally, the compound probiotics significantly increased TDMI, IgA, and IgM (PSMD ≤ 0.001). Furthermore, probiotics supplemented in liquid (whole milk or milk replacer) significantly increased TDMI and decreased faecal score (PSMD < 0.05), while in whole milk, they significantly increased body weight, IgA, and IgM (PSMD < 0.001).ConclusionsProbiotics could improve the growth performance, feed intake and efficiency, rumen fermentation, immune and antioxidant capacity, and health of pre-weaning calves. However, the effect sizes were related to the dosage, composition, and supplementation methods of probiotics.

The effects of creep feed composition and form and nursery diet complexity on small intestinal morphology and jejunal mucosa-specific enzyme activities after weaning in pigs.

Fifty-six litters from first-parity sows standardized to 12 piglets were used to determine the effects of creep feed composition and form and the provision of low- or high-complexity nursery diets on the evolution of small intestinal histomorphology and jejunal mucosa-specific enzyme activities postweaning. At 5 d of age, litters (initial bodyweight [BW] 2.31 ± 0.61 kg) were assigned to one of four creep feeding regimens (n = 14): 1) commercial creep feed (COM), 2) liquid milk replacer (LMR), 3) pelleted milk replacer (PMR), or 4) no creep feed (NO). At weaning (21 d of age), six pigs per litter were provided a HIGH- (contained highly digestible animal proteins) or LOW- (contained corn and soybean meal as main protein sources) complexity nursery diet (n = 7). At 21, 28, and 59 d of age, two pigs per pen (one castrated male and one female) were euthanized, and ileal and jejunal segments for histomorphological measurements and jejunal mucosal scrapings were collected to determine specific mucosa enzyme activities. At weaning, pigs provided COM had a greater ileal absorptive capacity (M) than LMR or NO, which were not different (14.1 vs. 10.4 and 10.5 ± 0.9 μm2; P < 0.05); PMR was intermediate. On days 28 and 59, M was not different among pigs regardless of creep feed treatments. Pigs fed LOW had reduced jejunal villus height (VH; P < 0.001) and M (P < 0.001) on day 28 vs. day 21. The VH and M were not different for pigs fed HIGH or LOW by the end of the nursery period. For all dietary treatments except COM-HIGH and COM-LOW, jejunal mucosal maltase-specific activity was not different between days 21 and 28 of age but greater on day 59 (P < 0.05). For pigs that received COM-HIGH, maltase-specific activity was not different between days 21 and 28 but greater on day 59 than day 28 (P < 0.05). For pigs that received COM-LOW, maltase-specific activity was not different between days 21, 28, and 59. Regardless of creep or nursery treatment, sucrase-specific activity was the greatest on day 59, followed by days 21 and 28 (P < 0.001), and lactase-specific activity was greater on day 21 than on days 28 and 59 (P < 0.001), which were not different. Therefore, pigs that provided LOW diet had greater villus atrophy and reduced M during the first week after weaning vs. pigs that provided HIGH, regardless of creep feeding regimen, but were able to recover by the end of the nursery period.

3 Effect of Litter Size and Provision of Supplementary Liquid Milk Replacer During Lactation on Piglet Pre-Weaning Performance

Abstract Recent increases in litter size in commercial sows have been accompanied by higher pre-weaning mortality (PWM) and lower weaning weights. The objective was to determine effects of litter size and feeding liquid milk replacer during lactation (using an automated feeder) on piglet performance. A split-plot design was used with a 2x2 factorial arrangement of treatments: Milk Replacer (MR; main plot; Unsupplemented vs. Supplemented); Litter Size [LS; sub-plot; Low (2 piglets less than functional teat number) vs. High (2 piglets greater than functional teat number)]. Cross-fostering was carried out at 24 h after birth to create treatment litters with similar gender ratio, proportion of cross-fostered piglets, and average and CV of birth weight. Milk replacer was available from 24 h after birth to weaning. Piglets were weighed on d 1 and 20 (weaning) after birth; all PWM was recorded. Growth data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS; PWM data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX. Models accounted for fixed effects of MR, LS, the interaction, and random effects of replicate and replicate by MR interaction. There were no MR by LS interactions (P &amp;gt; 0.05) for any measurement. Supplemented compared with Unsupplemented litters had similar (P &amp;gt; 0.05) litter size at weaning and PWM, but greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) average piglet and total litter weaning weight (Table 1). The High LS treatment had greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) litter size and total litter weight at d 1 and weaning, but higher (P &amp;lt; 0.05) PWM and lower (P &amp;lt; 0.05) average piglet weaning weight. In conclusion, supplementing piglets with liquid milk replacer increased weaning weight with no effect on PWM, and increasing litter size above sow teat number had negative effects on both PWM and piglet weaning weight.

The effect of creep feed composition and form on pre- and post-weaning growth performance of pigs and the utilization of low-complexity nursery diets.

Fifty-six litters from first-parity sows standardized to 12 piglets were used to determine the effects of creep feed composition and form on pre- and post-weaning pig growth performance and the utilization of low-complexity nursery diets. At 5 days of age, litters (initial body weight [BW] 2.31 ± 0.61 kg) were assigned to one of four creep feeding regimens (n = 14): 1) pelleted commercial creep feed (COM), 2) liquid milk replacer (LMR), 3) pelleted milk replacer (PMR), or 4) no creep feed (NO); creep feeds contained 1.0% brilliant blue as a fecal marker. Individual piglet BW and fecal swabs were collected every 3 ± 1 days during the creep-feeding period. The latter was to identify piglets that regularly consumed creep feed via the visual appearance of blue dye in the feces. At weaning (21 ± 2 days of age), six pigs per litter with median BW that consumed creep feed were placed on either a HIGH− (contained highly digestible animal proteins) or LOW− (contained corn and soybean meal as the main protein sources) complexity nursery diet (n = 7) in a three-phase feeding program over 39 days. On day 8, two pigs per pen were sacrificed to collect organ weights and digesta. The LMR disappeared at the greatest rate (average 37.7 g/pig/d; dry matter-basis) versus COM and PMR (10.6 and 10.3 ± 1.5 g/pig/d, respectively; P < 0.001). Litters that received LMR had the greatest proportion of pigs with blue fecal swabs throughout the creep feeding period (85.0 vs. 54.9 and 63.0% ± 0.4% for COM and PMR, respectively; P < 0.05) and LMR piglets had greater BW at weaning versus all other treatments (6.32 vs. 6.02, 5.92, and 5.67 ± 0.14 kg, for LMR, COM, NO, and PMR, respectively; P < 0.001). Overall, pigs given LOW (vs. HIGH) diets in the nursery period had reduced average daily gain (25.1 vs. 27.7 ± 0.4 g/kg BW; P < 0.001), gain:feed (0.75 vs. 0.81 ± 0.02; P < 0.001), and exit BW (21.2 vs. 24.4 ± 0.6 kg; P < 0.001); no carryover effects of creep feeding program were observed. Creep feed regimen had limited effects on nutrient digestibility of nursery diets but the apparent ileal digestibility of organic matter tended to be less at 28 days of age for pigs that received the LOW nursery diet (64.2 vs. 68.8% ± 2.5%; P = 0.076). Providing supplemental nutrition during the suckling period via LMR improved piglet BW at weaning, which did not correspond to improved post-weaning growth performance, regardless of nursery diet complexity.

30 The Effect of Creep Feed Composition and Form on Pre- and Post-weaning Growth Performance of Pigs and the Utilization of Low-quality Nursery Diets

Abstract Fifty-six litters standardized to 12 piglets from first-parity sows were used to determine the effects of creep and nursery diet compositions on pre- and post-weaning pig growth performance. At three days of age, litters (initial BW 2.31±0.61kg) were assigned to one of four creep feeding regimens (n=14): [1] commercial creep feed (COM), [2] liquid milk replacer (LMR), [3] pelleted milk replacer (PMR), or [4] no creep feed (NO); creep feeds contained 1.0% brilliant blue as a fecal marker. Fecal swabs were collected every 3±1 days to identify piglets that regularly consumed creep feed. At weaning (18±1 days of age), six pigs per litter that consumed creep feed were placed on either a HIGH- (contained highly digestible animal proteins) or LOW- (contained corn and soybean meal as the main protein sources) quality nursery diet (n = 7) in a three-phase feeding program over 38 days. The LMR disappeared at the greatest rate (37.7 g/pig/d; DM-basis) versus COM and PMR (10.8±1.5 g/pig/d; P &amp;lt; 0.001). Litters that received LMR had the greatest proportion of pigs with blue fecal swabs between study days 4 and 15 (85.0 vs 59.0±0.4%; P &amp;lt; 0.05) and LMR piglets had greater BW at weaning versus all other treatments (6.32, 6.02, 5.92, 5.67±0.14 kg, for LMR, COM, NO, and PMR, respectively; P &amp;lt; 0.001). Over the entire nursery period, pigs that received LOW diets had reduced ADG (399 vs 485±42 g; P &amp;lt; 0.001), ADFI (520 vs 595±37 g; P&amp;lt; 0.001), G:F (0.77 vs 0.82±0.03; P &amp;lt; 0.01), and BW at the end of the nursery period (21.2 vs 24.4±1.6 kg; P &amp;lt; 0.001), with no carryover effects of creep feeding regimen. Providing supplemental nutrition during the suckling period via LMR improved pig body weight at weaning, but did not improve post-weaning growth performance, regardless of nursery diet quality.

Effect of the number of daily distributions of solid feed on veal calves’ health status, behaviour, and alterations of rumen and abomasa

The research aimed at evaluating the effect of three versus two daily distributions of solid feed on veal calves’ health, behaviour, and rumen and abomasal mucosa alterations with the rationale that three distributions might improve calves’ health and welfare. The study was carried out in two veal calf farms that provided different amounts of solid feed (farm A 200 kg DM/calf; farm B 150 kg DM/calf) during the fattening in addition to liquid milk-replacer. It involved 342 calves in farm A and 108 calves in farm B. The change from two to three solid feed distributions/day started for half calves/farm after the third month of fattening when farm A was feeding 800 g and farm B 600 g DM/calf/day. Health status, blood haemoglobin, and behaviour were assessed on farm at different times. Calves’ carcass weight was recorded and rumens and abomasa were inspected post mortem. Increasing solid feed distributions did not improve calves’ health but it reduced non-nutritive oral behaviours (4.8 versus 3.2 ± 0.4% for two and three distributions/day, respectively) by prolonging the time spent eating solid feed. Carcass weight was similar between treatments. Three daily solid feed distributions did not reduce the prevalence of rumen mucosa hyperkeratinisation and abomasal alterations, worsening the frequency of rumen plaques. As the partition of daily dose of solid feed in three distributions is more time and labour consuming, its benefits addressing only the reduction of non-nutritive oral behaviours seem not sufficient to justify the routinely adoption of this practice by veal producers.

Production performance of lambs on milk replacer during pre-weaning followed by post-weaning linseed and calcium soap supplementation

Thirty-six male Malpura lambs (14 d old) were taken to assess the effect of milk replacer (MR) during preweaning followed by linseed and calcium soap (Ca-soap) supplementation post weaning on lamb performance. The lambs in control group were allowed free suckling of dam and were offered ad lib concentrate, dry cowpea hay and fresh Ardu (Ailanthus excelsa) leaves during pre-weaning period. The lambs in other two experimental groups, viz. MRg-Linseed and MRng-Ca-soap were offered additional gelatinized and non-gelatinized MR, respectively. Prior to blending, the MR was boiled for five minutes to make the carbohydrate moiety gelatinized. The lambs were individually bottle fed with liquid MR after blending with warm water (42 °C). During post weaning, lambs in control group were offered ad libitum control ration whereas the test groups were fed crushed linseed (MRg-Linseed) and Ca-soap (MRng-Ca-soap) supplemented ration. Plane of nutrition revealed higher (P < 0.05) DM, DCP and ME intake in test groups during pre- and post-weaning periods. Digestibility of nutrients was similar during pre-weaning whereas during post-weaning, digestibility of CP was higher (P < 0.05) and that of NDF and ADF was lower (P < 0.05) in MRg-Linseed compared to control. Proportion of propionic and butyric acids was higher (P < 0.05) and population of protozoa was lower (P < 0.05) in MRg-Linseed and MRng-Ca-soap group as compared to control. Average daily gain and feed conversion ratio was higher (P < 0.05) in MRg-Linseed and MRng-Ca-soap as compared to control during both pre- and post-weaning periods with an overall 16.3 and 12.2% improvement in weight gain and 7.5% higher efficiency in FCR, respectively. Carcass attributes revealed low (P < 0.05) intermuscular fat and shear force value in MRg-Linseed and MRng-Ca-soap. Wool production and staple length was higher (P < 0.05) in MRg-Linseed and MRng-Ca-soap groups compared to control. It may thus be concluded that milk replacer during pre-weaning and energy supplements in the form of crushed linseed and Ca-soap during post-weaning would be considered as a useful strategy for achieving higher body weight with better carcass and wool quality.

Effect of milk replacer on kid performance among small holder farmers

An experiment was conducted with 15 Black Bengal kids of both sexes (in 3 groups) were fed two different milk replacer using ingredient shotti (T1), skim milk (T2) and no milk replacer- kids with mother, termed as control group (T0) at Southern agro trade, Subarnachar, Noakhali. The average total DM intake and milk dry matter intake were not significantly differed among the treatment group. Total dry matter intake was not affected by intake of liquid milk replacer or goat milk. The CP intake were ranged from 19.97 to 20.93 g/d. Total CP intake was not significantly differed among the group but T1 group was slightly higher(0.42 g/d) than T0 and T2. The amount of protein intake (g/d) was followed NRC (1985) recommendation. DMI from concentrate (g/d), DMI from green grass (g/d) and DMI from percent live weight were not significantly differed among the treatment groups. The average daily gain was not significantly (P&gt;0.05) differed among the treatment group. The average growth rate (57.42 – 61.20 g/d) of all kid of Black Begal goat was lower than the Angora goats (115.00-125.00 g/d) and Alpine goats (153.00-258.00 g/d). Dry matter (DM) digestibility (%) was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher (74.45) in T1 group compare to other groups. CP digestibility was numerically higher in T1 group than other three groups. The digestibility of nutrient depends on physiology of kids, particularly the development and capacity of the digestive tract. The lower growth rate might be genetic characteristics of Black Bengal goat.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. June 2016, 2(2): 357-360

Apical Na+-dependent neutral amino acid exchanger ASCT2 (ATB0) and mTOR-signaling components are expressed along the entire jejunal crypt-villus axis in young pigs fed a liquid milk replacer

The Na+-dependent neutral amino acid (AA) exchanger ASCT2 (ATB0) plays an important role in the apical exchange of large neutral AAs such as glutamine (Gln) and leucine (Leu) and is essential to maintaining gut mucosal growth. The objectives of this study were to investigate expression of the ASCT2/ATB0 (SLC1A5) gene and the key mechanistic (mammalian) target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling components in epithelia along the jejunal crypt–villus axis in young pigs fed a liquid milk replacer. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses showed that the ASCT2/ATB0 (SLC1A5) gene mRNA abundance was higher (P 0.05) in the ASCT2/ATB0 protein abundances in the cell homogenate, the intracellular fraction, and the apical membrane among the upper villus, middle villus, and crypt cells. Abundance of phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR) protein was higher (P < 0.05) in the middle villus than in the uppe...

Effect of supplemental pig milk replacer on piglet weight gain and sow backfat thickness

Sow milk production is the major factor limiting pig growth to weaning. Although the milk production of the sows incremental many environmental factors affect the actual performances. The supplemental milk replacer can be an appropriate solution to ward off disparities and try to equalize the available milk quantity to the piglets according to their appetite, to enlarge the weight of pigs at weaning, ultimately. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of liquid milk supplement on weight development and litter performance of the piglets during the suckling period. Data were collected from 60 farrowings, the weight of 649 piglets in a total were measured at birth, 14 days old and at weaning (28 days), respectively. In the control group (n=319) the piglets were suckled and got prestarter feed from day 10. In the experimental group (n= 330) the piglets had got liquid milk replacer in 10.71% solution, from day 10 after birth together with suckling and prestarter feed, as well. Based on the Duncan's multiple range tests, there were no significant differences in birth weight between the control and experimental group but we found significant differences between the 14 days weight and the weaning weight, subsequently. Based on the CV% of weight the experimental group became more homogenous, in contrary to the weight of the control group at the end of suckling period. The milk supplementation can be an appropriate solution to ward off disparities and to equalize the available milk quantity to the piglets according to their appetite, to enlarge and uniform the weight of pigs at weaning, ultimately.

Effects of milk replacer and starter diet provided as creep feed for suckling pigs on pre- and post-weaning growth.

This study was aimed at investigating the long-term effects of provision of liquid milk replacer (MR) and solid starter diet (SD) during lactation on post-weaning (PW) growth of pigs. In experiment 1, 33 cross-bred litters were allotted to four treatments: no supplement (CON), MR ad libitum, SD ad libitum and 100 g SD/litter/day from lactation day 4 through weaning at day 21 during late fall. In experiment 2, 40 litters received MR or none in July. PW pigs received commercial diets to marketing. In experiment 1, weaning weight (WW), pre-weaning average daily gain (ADG) and mortality (2.4%) were not influenced by creep-feeding MR or SD. ADG was greater (P < 0.05) in the MR group versus CON during days 21-54, but did not differ across the treatments during days 54-162. In experiment 2, ADG during lactation and WW were greater in the MR group versus CON, with mortality lower in the former (5.6 vs. 10.3%). However, PW ADG to day 175 did not differ between the two groups. Results suggest that creep-feeding MR or SD has no effect on PW growth. However, it remains possible that MR reduces PW mortality during the hot season.

Glycine is a nutritionally essential amino acid for maximal growth of milk-fed young pigs.

Analysis of amino acids in milk protein reveals a relatively low content of glycine. This study was conducted with young pigs to test the hypothesis that milk-fed neonates require dietary glycine supplementation for maximal growth. Fourteen-day-old piglets were allotted randomly into one of four treatments (15 piglets/treatment), representing supplementation with 0, 0.5, 1 or 2% glycine (dry matter basis) to a liquid milk replacer. Food was provided to piglets every 8 h (3 times/day) for 2 weeks. Milk intake (32.0-32.5 g dry matter/kg body weight per day) did not differ between control and glycine-supplemented piglets. Compared with control piglets, dietary supplementation with 0.5, 1 and 2% glycine increased (P < 0.05) plasma concentrations of glycine and serine, daily weight gain, and body weight without affecting body composition, while reducing plasma concentrations of ammonia, urea, and glutamine, in a dose-dependent manner. Dietary supplementation with 0.5, 1 and 2% glycine enhanced (P < 0.05) small-intestinal villus height, glycine transport (measured using Ussing chambers), mRNA levels for GLYT1, and anti-oxidative capacity (indicated by increased concentrations of reduced glutathione and a decreased ratio of oxidized glutathione to reduced glutathione). These novel results indicate, for the first time, that glycine is a nutritionally essential amino acid for maximal protein accretion in milk-fed piglets. The findings not only enhance understanding of protein nutrition, but also have important implications for designing improved formulas to feed human infants, particularly low birth weight and preterm infants.