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Industry Partners
Prairie Swine Centre is an affiliate of the University of Saskatchewan
Prairie Swine Centre is grateful for the assistance of the George Morris Centre in developing the economics portion of Pork Insight.
Financial support for the Enterprise Model Project and Pork Insight has been provided by:
Performance and total tract digestibility of growing pigs fed a hulless low-phytate phosphorus barley-based diet
Posted in: Nutrition, Pork Insight Articles by admin on June 5, 2012 | No Comments
The abstract for a study on hulless low-phytate diets. Regular barley, a hulless low-phytate, or a hullness low-phytate with added phytase diets were randomly assigned to growing pigs. It was found that average daily gain and total tract digestibility was higher for the hulless low-phytate diet than regular barley, and added phytase further improved feed efficiency and nutrient utilization.
Meta-analysis of phosphorus utilization by growing pigs: effect of dietary phosphorus, calcium and phytase supply
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The abstract for a paper performing a meta-analysis of phosporus utilization with different forms of P, and the effect of calcium and phytase. The amount of P leading to digestible P was 21% when phytate P, 73% when non-phytate P (NPP), and 80% when NPP from minerals. Addition of microbial phytase was twice as efficient as plant phytase, and produced a curvilinear response. Calcium reduced P retention in low P diets, but increased retention in high P diets.
Feed quality evaluation by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) for the crop-pork value chain
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The abstract for a paper introducing the calibration for near infrared reflectance spectroscopy analysis of wheat and barley. It is highly accurate, and allows the digestible energy to be analysed by submitting samples.
Isoleucine requirement for sow maintenance
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The abstract for a study determining the isoleucine requirement for maintenance in non-pregnant sows fed a corn based diet, and using an amino acid oxidation method. The requirement was found to be 35mg/dxkg0.75. The maintenance for lysine is 48mg/dxkg0.75, so the ration isoleucine:lysine is 0.71:1. The ratio is the same as recommended by the NRC, even though the values for both have increased.
Isoleucine requirement of pregnant sows
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The abstract for a study comparing early and late gestation isoleucine requirements in sows fed a corn based diet. The isoleucine requirement increased from 3.6g/d to 9.7g/d, and lipid mobilization was seen in late gestation when the isoleucine requirement was provided or exceeded.
Dietary ω-6 to ω-3 fatty acid ratios affect body fat mobilization in high producing sows
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The abstract for a study testing the effect of altering the ω6:ω3 in sows with large litters on fat mobilization, and therefore nutrients available for piglets. The 1:1 sows had higher baseline plasma NEFA, and 10:1 sows had lower net increment area for glucose, and higher niAUC, NEFA, and glycerol when injected with epinephrine. This shows the 1:1 sows were mobilizing more fat to provide nutrients, which may have a negative impact on their later health.
Effect of n3-PUFA supplementation to sows on fatty acid profiles in serum and embryos
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The abstract for a study testing the uptake of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) by sows, and how much is available to the embryos. Sows had higher EPA and DHA fatty acid levels than controls, and treatment embryos had higher DHA. DHA can aid piglet growth, which was also seen during this trial.
Update: Increasing the impact of elite boars
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The update for a study evaluating boars by single-sire semen evaluations. Currently, 67 boars have been evaluated and sperm doses have been reduced from 3 to 2 billion sperm/dose, and phase 2 will involve another reduction of 0.5 billion and the use of post-cervical artificial insemination. As well, 13% of boars have been removed and phase 2 will continue to remove the lowest performing boars.
Restricted feed intake in lactating primiparous sows: Effects on embryonic gene expression and subsequent litter sex ratio
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The abstract for a study looking at the molecular basis for low birth weights and higher male ratios in litters after the sow was restricted in feed during her last week of the previous lactation. IGF2, INSR, IGF2R genes were effected in the embryo and placenta, embryo ESR1 and placental ANGPT2 genes were effected as well.
Temporal and spatial variation in gene expression by the sow’s uterus
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An abstract for a study looking at uterine gene expression as a reason for poor embryonic transfer success rates. Samples were taken from the top and bottom of the uterine horns at various times, and showed differences in gene expression. Additional studies are needed to create gene pathways.