The effect of feeding expeller-pressed canola meal on growth performance and diet nutrient digestibility in weaned pigs

Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Production, Swine Innovation by admin on March 15, 2012 | No Comments

The effects of feeding increasing levels of expeller-pressed (EP) canola meal in substitution for soybean meal as an energy and amino acid source were evaluated in 240 weaned pigs with an initial body weight of 7.3 ± 0.6 kg. Five pelleted wheat-based diets containing 0, 50, 100, 150 or 200 g EP canola meal/kg were formulated to contain 10.0 MJ net energy (NE)/kg and 1.18 g standardised ileal digestible (SID) lysine/MJ NE and were fed for 4 wk starting 1 wk after weaning at 19 days of age. Expeller-pressed canola meal was added at the expense of soybean meal and the diets were balanced for NE using canola oil and for amino acids using crystalline lysine, methionine, threonine and tryptophan. Increasing inclusion of EP canola meal linearly reduced (P<0.001) the apparent total tract digestibility of energy, dry matter and crude protein and the digestible energy content of diets. From 0 to 28 days on trial, increasing inclusion of EP canola meal did not affect body weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency. In conclusion, up to 200 g EP canola meal/kg can replace soybean meal in diets formulated to equal NE and SID amino acid content and fed to nursery pigs starting 1 wk after weaning without reducing growth performance.

© 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The effect of feeding solvent-extracted canola meal on growth performance and diet nutrient digestibility in weaned pigs

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The effects of feeding increasing levels of solvent-extracted canola meal in substitution for soybean meal as an energy and amino acid source were evaluated in 220 weaned pigs with an initial body weight of 8.1 ± 1.8 kg. Five pelleted wheat-based diets containing 0, 50, 100, 150 or 200 g canola meal/kg were formulated to contain 9.74 MJ net energy (NE)/kg and 1.21 g standardised ileal digestible (SID) lysine/MJ NE and were fed for 4 wk starting 1 wk after weaning at 19 days of age. Canola meal was added at the expense of soybean meal and the diets were balanced for NE using canola oil and for amino acids using crystalline lysine, threonine and tryptophan. Increasing inclusion of canola meal reduced linearly (P<0.05) the apparent total tract digestibility of energy, dry matter and crude protein and quadratically(P<0.05) the digestible energy content of diets. From 0 to 28 days on trial, increasing inclusion of canola meal did not affect body weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency. In conclusion, up to 200 g solvent-extracted canola meal/kg can replace soybean meal in diets formulated to equal NE and SID amino acid content and fed to weaned pigs without detrimental effects on growth performance.

© 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical characteristics, feed processing quality, growth performance and energy digestibility among wheat classes in pelleted diets fed to weaned pigs

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Among wheat classes based on end use, the nutritional quality of wheat for pigs is expected to vary. Therefore, Canada Prairie Spring Red (CPSR), Canada Prairie Spring White (CPSW), Canada Western Amber Durum (CWAD), Canada Western Hard White Spring (CWHWS) and Canada Western Red Winter (CWRW) wheat are separated out from Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat, which is the standard wheat for bread also known as hard red spring wheat. Two cultivars from these six wheat classes were characterised for their physicochemical, feed milling properties and nutritional value for young, growing pigs. Growth and energy digestibility were studied for 3 wk with weaned pigs (12.8 ± 1.2 kg initial body weight) fed diets containing 650 g/kg wheat [14.6 MJ digestible energy (DE)/kg; 14.2 g digestible lysine/MJ DE]. Wheat crude protein (on dry matter basis) ranged from 124 to 174 g/kg among classes: 127–165 g for CPSW and CPSR, and 165–170 g/kg for CWAD. Total non-starch polysaccharides ranged from 90 to 115 g/kg among classes. For days 0–21, average daily gain, average daily feed intake and feed efficiency did not differ among wheat cultivars and classes (P>0.05). The coefficient of apparent total tract digestibility of energy in the diet was lowest (P<0.05) for CPSR (0.87), intermediate for CPSW, CWRS, CWHWS (0.87–0.88) and highest for CWAD and CWRW (0.89). Feed pelleting speed and pellet durability did not differ (P>0.05) among wheat diets but pelleting increased viscosity of diets (P<0.001). Principle component analysis revealed the negative impact of fibre components on feed efficiency. In conclusion, despite variations in chemical characteristics and DE content among wheat classes, young pigs fed all classes of wheat including CPSW, CPSR and CWAD may perform effectively.

© 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The effect of feeding wheat distillers dried grain with solubles on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in weaned pigs

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The effects of substituting soybean meal with wheat distillers dried grain with solubles (DDGS) as an energy and amino acid source on growth performance and dietary nutrient digestibility were evaluated in 240 weaned pigs with an initial body weight (BW) of 6.2 ± 1.2 kg. Five pelleted wheat-based diets containing 0, 50, 100, 150, or 200 g wheat DDGS/kg were formulated to contain 10.0 MJ/kg net energy (NE) and 1.15 g standardised ileal digestible (SID) lysine (Lys)/MJ NE and were fed for 4 wk. For d 0–28, increasing dietary inclusion of wheat DDGS quadratically reducedBWgain (P<0.001) mainly due to a quadratically reduced (P<0.001) feed intake but also a reduced (P<0.001) feed efficiency. At d 28, pigs fed 50, 100, 150 and 200 g wheat DDGS/kg were 0.1, 0.1, 0.4 and 5.5 kg lighter (P<0.001) than pigs fed 0 g wheat DDGS/kg. In conclusion, weaned pigs fed diets formulated to equal NE and SID amino acids can be fed up to 100 g wheat DDGS/kg without reducing final body weight (BW) and up to 150 g wheat DDGS/kg with limited reductions in growth performance. Despite similar DE content among diets, inclusion of 200 g wheat DDGS/kg of drastically reduced growth performance of weaned pigs.

© 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Electrocution May Ease Concerns About Timely Piglet Euthanasia

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A new devise used for euthanizing young pigs has proven to be effective. Electrocuting young pigs was not possible because currents would not penetrate past the pigs skin. This new method will be able to euthanize the pig quickly and is easy to use. Preliminary tests found that the device was successful in making the animals loose consciousness within 3-5 seconds. The study found this to be a humane way of euthanizing pigs with benefits to the person carrying out the procedure.

Study examines navel dip effectiveness

Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch by admin on March 9, 2012 | No Comments

A study was done on 500 cows in 13 dairy farms that looked at naval dipping and infection rates. The study tested 4 methods, a new navel dip solution’s, 7% tincture of iodine, o.5 -2% iodine solution, and no dipping at birth. The study found a numerical advantage in using the new dip solution, but researchers found no statistical difference between the methods.

Choice of pen mates does not affect boar mounting behaviour

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Researchers trying to reduce boar taint and mounting behavior found no significant results. By housing boars with litter mates and feeding them simultaneously researchers found no reduction in mounting behavior compared to boars penned randomly and fed non-simultaneously.  Also pen mates and feeding procedure had no effects on boar taint.

Preventing muddy conditions in feedlot pens

Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch, Welfare by admin on March 8, 2012 | No Comments

Wet and muddy feedlot pens can be costly to producers. Mud can effect how cows keep warm in winter, increase the cost of gain, and even increase feeding costs. Letting manure build up will prevent water from draining out of the pen when it does rain, which leads to mud build up. Cleaning pens regularly can help prevent these conditions. A small slant in the pen floor can help moisture drain from the pen.

The Welfare of Farmed Fish ‐ FAWC Opinion

Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch by admin on March 6, 2012 | No Comments

In 1996 a report was done on the welfare of farmed fish. In 2012 there will be a study done again to see if welfare conditions have gotten worse, stayed the same, or gotten better. The new report will also expand on the range of fish being studied because the physiology of different fish can be very different. This article provides an outline of the study to be undertaken.

Foot problems In the feedlot

Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch, Welfare by admin on March 5, 2012 | No Comments

Interdigital necrobacillosis also know as “foot rot” is common in feedlots. It occurs when bacteria that is common in feedlots is able to penetrate a cows skin between the toes. This causes lameness and swelling, and discomfort to the cow. This occurs when a cow cuts its foot in winter, or spends prolonged times standing in manure or water in the summer. Pen maintenance is a preventative action to fight the occurrence of foot rot. Anti-biotics have also been proven to cure foot rot, but it is hard to distinguish if a cow has foot rot or some other foot problem which the anti-biotics would not help.