A Case for Phase Feeding Pregnant Sows – ABSTRACT

Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Swine Innovation by admin on February 16, 2012 | No Comments

 Sow body weight, leanness and litter size have improved over the last 10 years, indicating increased amino acid and energy requirements. In addition, fetal weight and protein gain increase in late gestation so that requirements for amino acids and energy must change over the course of gestation. Models for amino acid and energy requirements of pregnant sows agree that requirements in late gestation are greater than in early gestation.  The purpose of this study was to find the requirements in early and late gestation using the indicator amino acid oxidation technique with concurrent indirect calorimetry in sows given constant feed allowance in their 2nd to 4th pregnancies.  It was found that Parity-segregated phase feeding of pregnant sows supplies the amino acids and energy necessary to match the sows’ requirements. This can result in reduced feed cost, better sow condition at farrowing, better rebreeding success and prolonged productive life of sows.

New Energy and Amino Acid Requirements for Gestating Sows

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

In the last few years, new research in sow nutrition has provided evidence that the feeding regimen of gestating sows needs revision. In particular, the change of amino acid requirements from early to late gestation and the energy deficit of young sows in late gestation give a strong indication that phase feeding of pregnant sows may be of advantage. This paper will review recent research, introduce future perspectives in sow nutrition and suggest options for feeding strategies for sows.

The recent results for amino acid and energy requirements of sows strongly support the need for parity-segregated phase feeding of pregnant sows. The phase feeding program should consist of two diets that satisfy the higher and lower amino acid requirements. The feed amounts should be increased for the last four weeks of gestation. The increase in feed offered should be 0.6 kg/d for gilts, 0.5 kg/d for 2nd parity sows and approximately 0.4 kg/d for older sows. Such a feeding program supplies slightly less feed during gestation compared to single phase feeding but supplies amino acids and energy to the sows at the right amounts at the right time.

Phase feeding for pregnant sows

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 In the last few years, new research in sow nutrition has provided evidence that the traditional feeding regimen of gestating sows needs revision. In particular, the change of amino acid requirements from early to late gestation and the energy deficit of young sows in late gestation indicate that phase feeding of pregnant sows may be advantageous. This paper will review recent sow nutrition research and suggest feeding strategies for sows. 

It was found that the recent results for amino acid and energy requirements of sows strongly support the need for parity-segregated phase feeding of pregnant sows. The phase feeding program should consist of two diets that satisfy the highest and lowest amino acid requirements and can be mixed in appropriate ratios to cover the intermediate amino acid needs. The feed amounts should be increased for the last four weeks of gestation. The increase in feed allowance of a corn-soybean meal diet should be 0.6 kg/d for gilts, 0.5 kg/d for 2nd parity sows and approximately 0.4 kg/d for older sows. Such a feeding program requires slightly less feed during gestation compared to single phase feeding but supplies amino acids and energy to the sows in the right amounts at the right time.  

Isoleucine requirement of pregnant sows – ABSTRACT

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Requirements of sows may change in pregnancy because of maternal tissue development and conceptus growth during the different phases of gestation. The objective of this study was to determine the Ile requirement in early (EG, 37 to 61 d) and late (LG, 89 to 109 d) gestation using the indicator amino acid oxidation method.  It was found that energy retention was similar in EG and LG, but the respiratory quotient decreased from EG to LG  and decreased with increasing dietary Ile level, indicating lipid mobilization in LG when Ile was at or above the requirement. The increase in Ile requirement from EG to LG suggests that phase feeding during gestation is necessary. Diets for LG should contain more Ile and be fed at greater allowances than in EG to meet the sows’ demands for nutrients.

Isoleucine requirement for pregnancy in adult sows – ABSTRACT

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Pregnant adult sows show little maternal growth so that accelerated conceptus growth in the 3rd trimester can cause large differences in nutrient requirements between early (EG) and late (LG) gestation. The objective of this study was to determine the Ile requirement in EG (d 37 to 61) and LG (d 89 to 109) using the indicator amino acid oxidation (IAAO) method.  It was found that Ile requirements were driven mainly by maintenance in EG and by fetal growth in LG.  Both Ile and energy intake must be increased in LG but the greater change in Ile than energy requirement shows that amino acid supply is more critical in LG for adult sows.

Isoleucine requirement of pregnant sows – ABSTRACT

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Requirements of sows may change in pregnancy because of maternal tissue development and conceptus growth during the different phases of gestation. Isoleucine (Ile) is a limiting amino acid (AA) in corn-soy diets. The objective of this study was to determine the Isoleucine requirement in early (EG) and late (LG) gestation using the indicator AA oxidation method.   It was found that Ile requirements of adult sows increased more from EG to LG than tryptophan requirements in young, growing sows, and were driven mainly by maintenance in EG and by fetal growth in LG. The AA supply is more critical in LG than energy intake for adult sows. Therefore, phase feeding during gestation is necessary to meet the sows’ requirements.

Save $ with New Feeding Standards for Sows

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In the last few years, our new research in sow nutrition has provided evidence that the traditional feeding regimen of gestating sows needs revision. In particular, the change of amino acid (AA) requirements from early to late gestation and the energy deficit of young sows in late gestation indicate that phase feeding of pregnant sows may be advantageous.   This article shows data obtained on the requirements of lysine, threonine, isoleucine and tryptophan in late and early gestating sows.  Also details on energy requirements during gestation are presented as well as the effect on the sows due to different feeding regimens.  It was found that switching to parity-segregated phase feeding of sows will save feed costs by supplying nutrients in the right amounts at the right time.

New developments in energy and amino acid nutrition of sows – ABSTRACT

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Sow body weight, leanness and litter size have improved over the last 10 years, indicating increased amino acid and energy requirements. In addition, fetal weight and protein gain increase in late gestation so that requirements for amino acids and energy must change over the course of gestation. Models for amino acid and energy requirements of pregnant sows show that requirements in late gestation are greater than in early gestation.  

This study at the University of Alberta found that  parity-segregated phase feeding of pregnant sows supplies the amino acids and energy necessary to match the sows’ requirements. This can result in reduced feed cost, better sow condition at farrowing, better rebreeding success and prolonged productive life of sows.

Precision Feeding Cuts Feeding Costs and Reduces Environmental Footprints

Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Swine Innovation by admin on February 9, 2012 | No Comments

On February 9th, on farmscape.ca radio, Dr. Candido Pomar of Agriculture and Agri-food Canada discussed precision feeding:

Pigs in groups all have individual nutrient requirements, some need more and some less. When selecting feed for a group of pigs the nutrient requirements must include enough nutrients for the pigs who needs the most. So pigs who require less nutrients receive an excessive amount. Precision feeding attempts to feed individual pigs specific diets that are in line with the nutrients they specifically require, therefore reducing waste and saving on costs of expensive feed additives.

To hear the interview click here: Precision Feeding Cuts Costs and Reduces Environmental Footprints

Banff Pork Seminar to Examine Canadian Swine Research and Development Cluster Coordinated Research

Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Swine Innovation by admin on January 4, 2012 | No Comments

On January 4th 2012, on farmscape.ca radio, Ken Engele of the Prairie Swine Centre discussed the Canadian Swine Research and Development Cluster:

At the Banff Pork Seminar Producers will have the opportunity to learn about the work being done by the Canadian Swine Research and Development Cluster. The Prairie Swine Centre and CDPQ are implement a National Technology Transfer Strategy on behalf of the cluster. The project involves many partners including universities from across Canada as well as research institutions and other stakeholders. The goals of the project are to bring down the cost of production and to look at market differentiation of products.

To hear the article click here: Banff Pork Seminar to Examine Canadian Swine Research and Development Cluster Coordinated Research