Evaluating pellet and meal feeding regimens on finishing pig performance, stomach morphology, and carcass characteristics

Citation: De Jong, J. A., DeRouchey, J. M., Tokach, M. D., Dritz, S. S., Goodband, R. D., Woodworth, J. C., & Allerson, M. W. (2016). Evaluating pellet and meal feeding regimens on finishing pig performance, stomach morphology, and carcass characteristics. Journal of Animal Science, 94(11), 4781-4788. doi:10.2527/jas2016-0461A total of 2,100 pigs (PIC 327 x 1050; initially 31.2 kg BW) were used in a 118-d trial to determine the effects of pellet or meal feeding regimens on finishing pig growth performance, stomach morphology, and carcass characteristics. Pens of pigs were balanced by initial BW and randomly allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments (14 pens/treatment with 25 pigs/pen). Pens were sorted by gender allowing for 7 barrow pens and 7 gilt pens per treatment. The same corn-soybean meal-based diets containing 15% dried distillers' grains with solubles were used for all treatments and fed in 5 phases. Phases were fed from d 0 to 28, 28 to 56, 56 to 84, 84 to 98, and 98 to 118. The 6 treatments included a meal or pelleted diet fed from d 0 to 118, a meal diet fed from d 0 to 70 followed by pellets from d 70 to 118, a pelleted diet fed from d 0 to 70 followed by a meal diet from d 70 to 118, or pellets and meal rotated every 2 wk starting with meal or pellets. On d 110, 4 pigs from each pen were harvested and stomachs collected, from which a combined ulcer and keratinization score was determined for each pig. Overall, there were no differences in ADG across feeding regimens. Pigs fed meal throughout had the greatest (P < 0.05) ADFI, whereas pigs fed pellets throughout had the lowest (P < 0.05), with all other treatments intermediate (P < 0.05). Pigs fed pelleted diets throughout had the greatest (P < 0.05) G: F, whereas pigs fed meal throughout had the worst G: F (P < 0.05), with all other treatments intermediate (P < 0.05). When pelleted diets were fed for the last 58 d or for the entire trial, the incidence of ulceration and keratinization increased (P < 0.05), whereas pigs fed meal for the last 58 d had a lower incidence (P < 0.05), with all other treatments intermediate (P < 0.05). Feeding pellets throughout increased (P < 0.05) the number of pigs removed per pen compared with all other treatments. Pig removals were determined by an on-site farm manager when pigs were at risk due to weight loss, health, or animal welfare concerns and needed to be separated from the general population. There were no differences for any carcass characteristics measured including HCW, carcass yield, backfat depth, loin depth, and percentage lean. In conclusion, feeding pelleted diets improved G: F but increased stomach ulceration and pig removals; however, rotating pellets and meal diets provided an intermediate G: F response and moderated stomach ulcerations compared with feeding only pellets

Evaluating Pellet and Meal Feeding Regimens on Finishing Pig Performance, Stomach Morphology, Carcass Characteristics, and Economics

A total of 2,100 pigs (PIC 327 × 1050, initially 68.8 lb) were used in a 118-d trial to determine the effects of pellet feeding regimens on finishing pig growth performance, stomach morphology, and carcass characteristics. Pens of pigs were balanced by initial BW and randomly allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments (14 pens/treatment with 25 pigs/pen). Pens were sorted by gender allowing for 7 barrow and 7 gilt pens/treatment. The same corn-soybean meal–based diets containing 15% dried distillers grains with solubles were used for all treatments and fed in 5 phases. The 6 treatments included a meal or pelleted diet fed from d 0 to 118, a meal diet fed from d 0 to 70 and then pellets from d 70 to 118, a pelleted diet fed from d 0 to 70 and then meal from d 70 to 118, or pellets and meal rotated every two weeks starting with meal or pellets. On d 110, 4 pigs from each pen were harvested with the stomachs collected and a combined ulcer and keratinization score determined for each pig. Overall, there were no differences (P \u3e 0.956) for ADG across feeding regimens. Pigs fed meal throughout had the greatest (P \u3c 0.05) ADFI, while pigs fed pellets throughout had the lowest (P \u3c 0.05), with all other treatments intermediate (P \u3c 0.05). Pigs fed pelleted diets throughout had the most improved (P \u3c 0.05) F/G, while pigs fed meal throughout had the worst F/G (P \u3c0.05), with all other treatments intermediate (P \u3c0.05). When pelleted diets were fed for the last 48 d, or for the entire trial, the incidence of ulceration and keratinization increased (P \u3c0.05), while pigs fed meal for the last 48 d had lower incidence (P \u3c0.05), with all other treatments intermediate (P \u3c0.05). Feeding pellets throughout increased (P \u3c 0.05) the number of pigs removed per pen compared to all other treatments. Removals were determined by an onsite farm manager as animals unable to remain in the general population due to health or welfare problems. There were no differences (P \u3e 0.10) for any carcass characteristics measured. For economics, feeding a meal diet throughout the experiment increased (P \u3c 0.05) feed cost/lb gain compared to all other treatments. There were no significant differences (P \u3e 0.10) for IOFC; however, numerical differences showed that rotating between a pellet and a meal diet improved IOFC by $1 to$2 above feeding a meal diet throughout the finishing period. In conclusion, feeding pelleted diets improved F/G but increased stomach ulceration and removals; however, rotating pellets and meal diets provided an intermediate F/G response without increasing in stomach ulceration and subsequent removals compared to only feeding pelleted diets

Methicillin resistantS. au reus in market hogs, retail pork, and swine veterinarians in the USA

Cross-sectional studies were conducted to obtain preliminary data on the prevalence of MRSA in swine veterinarians and market hogs, and S. aureus in retail pork in the USA. Convenience sampling was employed, but samples were broadly sourced across the country. Nasal swabs were collected from 111 swine veterinarians at a national swine veterinary meeting, and from 539 market hogs slaughtered at large US packing plants. Fresh pork products (chops or ground pork) were obtained from retail stores in 15 states. Samples were cultured using double enrichment methods and selective plating

Competition for RISC binding predicts in vitro potency of siRNA

Short interfering RNAs (siRNA) guide degradation of target RNA by the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). The use of siRNA in animals is limited partially due to the short half-life of siRNAs in tissues. Chemically modified siRNAs are necessary that maintain mRNA degradation activity, but are more stable to nucleases. In this study, we utilized alternating 2′-O-methyl and 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro (OMe/F) chemically modified siRNA targeting PTEN and Eg5. OMe/F-modified siRNA consistently reduced mRNA and protein levels with equal or greater potency and efficacy than unmodified siRNA. We showed that modified siRNAs use the RISC mechanism and lead to cleavage of target mRNA at the same position as unmodified siRNA. We further demonstrated that siRNAs can compete with each other, where highly potent siRNAs can compete with less potent siRNAs, thus limiting the ability of siRNAs with lower potency to mediate mRNA degradation. In contrast, a siRNA with low potency cannot compete with a highly efficient siRNA. We established a correlation between siRNA potency and ability to compete with other siRNAs. Thus, siRNAs that are more potent inhibitors for mRNA destruction have the potential to out-compete less potent siRNAs indicating that the amount of a cellular component, perhaps RISC, limits siRNA activity

Effects of Weaning Age and Antibiotic Use on Pig Performance in a Commercial System

A total of 2,184 barrows and gilts (DNA 600 × PIC L42) were used in a study from weaning to market to evaluate the effect of increasing weaning age and antibiotic use on pig performance in a commercial production system. A 3 × 2 factorial arrangement was used. The treatments included weaning age (18.5, 21.5, or 24.5 days of age) and the use of antibiotic (AB) or antibiotic free (ABF). There were 14 replicate pens per treatment and 26 pigs per pen (13 barrows and 13 gilts). Pigs were weaned from a 4,000-sow farm and placed in pens by weaning age with pens randomly assigned to AB or ABF. Pigs assigned to AB had access to a diet containing 400 ppm of chlortetracycline (CTC) from d 8 to 21 post-weaning, and after a porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome (PRRS) outbreak at week 7 post-weaning, they were medicated via drinking water for five consecutive days with CTC (10 mg/lb of body weight (BW) per day). For the first 42 days post-weaning, increasing weaning age reduced the number of pigs treated with injectable antibiotic (quadratic, P = 0.004), but AB use did not influence this variable (P = 0.626). Each additional day of weaning age resulted in greater BW at weaning and at 197 days of age with slopes of 0.484 lb and 1.485 lb, respectively (linear, P \u3c 0.001). From weaning to 197 days of age, increasing weaning age increased average daily gain (0.02 lb/day of weaning age; linear, P \u3c 0.001) and the same effect was found for AB (0.03 lb/d; P = 0.009). Weaning age and AB also affected average daily feed intake (0.03 lb/day of increase in weaning age; linear, P \u3c 0.001 and 0.08 lb/d; P = 0.031, respectively). An interaction (linear, P = 0.005) was found for feed efficiency. When AB were fed, pigs weaned at 21.5 and 24.5 d were less efficient. However, AB improved feed efficiency of pigs weaned at 18.5 d. Pigs with access to AB in feed and water had lower total losses (2.7% less mortality + removal; P \u3c 0.001). Increasing weaning age also marginally decreased total losses (-0.21% per day increase in weaning age; linear, P = 0.097). The weight sold (at 197 d of age) per pig weaned was increased by increasing weaning age (an additional 1.55 lb for each day increase in weaning age; linear, P = 0.050) and by using AB in feed and water (an addition of 10.1 lb/pig; P = 0.019). In summary, increasing weaning age linearly improved pig performance and relatively short-term use of antibiotics reduced mortality and removals. In addition, both factors contributed to maximizing the weight sold per pig weaned

Hyperferritinemia without iron overload in patients with bilateral cataracts: a case series

Hepatologists and internists often encounter patients with unexplained high serum ferritin concentration. After exclusion of hereditary hemochromatosis and hemosiderosis, rare disorders like hereditary hyperferritinemia cataract syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis. This autosomal dominant syndrome, that typically presents with juvenile bilateral cataracts, was first described in 1995 and has an increasing number of recognized molecular defects within a regulatory region of the L-ferritin gene (FTL). CASE PRESENTATION: Two patients (32 and 49-year-old Caucasian men) from our ambulatory clinic were suspected as having this syndrome and a genetic analysis was performed. In both patients, sequencing of the FTL 5' region showed previously described mutations within the iron responsive element (FTL c.33 C > A and FTL c.32G > C). CONCLUSION: Hereditary hyperferritinemia cataract syndrome should be considered in all patients with unexplained hyperferritinemia without signs of iron overload, particularly those with juvenile bilateral cataracts. Liver biopsy and phlebotomy should be avoided in this disorder

Effects of Corn Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles Withdrawal on Finishing Pig Performance

A total of 860 finishing pigs [C48 or L42 × 327; initially 146 ± 11.1 lb body weight (BW)] were used in a 76-d experiment to evaluate the effects of removing corn dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) from diets at varying intervals before harvest. Pigs were fed diets containing 40% DDGS until the start of the trial. Diets contained 35% DDGS from approximately 146 to 180 lb and 30% until the completion of the trial. Pen served as the experimental unit, and there were 7 replicate pens per treatment with 23 to 25 pigs per pen. Pens were blocked by BW within the barn and allotted to 1 of 5 dietary treatments differentiated by the number of days before slaughter that diets containing DDGS were withdrawn and replaced with corn-soybean meal-based diets. Withdrawal times consisted of the following: 76 (no DDGS fed), 42, 27, 15, or 0 d (no withdrawal) before the time all pigs were marketed. At the time of harvest, all pigs were sent to a commercial processing facility for carcass data collection. For the overall period from d -76 to 0, as time of DDGS withdrawal increased, average daily gain (ADG) and final BW also increased (linear, P \u3c 0.018), while feed:gain ratio (F/G) improved (quadratic, P = 0.022). Average daily feed intake (ADFI) quadratically decreased (P = 0.030) with increasing withdrawal time. There was a linear increase (P = 0.009) in hot carcass weight (HCW), with a marginally significant increase in carcass yield (linear, P = 0.094) with increasing DDGS withdrawal time. Loin depth and lean percentage did not demonstrate any evidence for treatment differences (P \u3e 0.132). Backfat was linearly increased (P = 0.030) with a marginally significant (P = 0.084) quadratic response with increasing DDGS withdrawal time. Lastly, the iodine value of belly fat was increased (linear, P \u3c 0.034) with increased feeding duration of DDGS. Feed cost per pig and income over feed cost (IOFC) per all pigs that started on the experiment were increased (linear, P \u3c 0.048) with increasing withdrawal time. Feed cost per lb of gain did not demonstrate evidence for treatment differences (P \u3e 0.505). When based on the number of pigs marketed at the end of the experiment, feed cost per pig was increased (linear, P = 0.001) with increasing withdrawal time, though feed cost per lb of gain and IOFC did not have evidence for differences (P \u3e 0.186). Carcass gain value was increased (linear, P = 0.001) with increased DDGS withdrawal time. In conclusion, removing pigs from DDGS for longer periods before slaughter increased ADG and improved F/G, resulting in increased HCW. Belly fat iodine value was inversely related to the length of DDGS withdrawal, with the highest iodine value (IV) resulting from pigs that consumed DDGS for the entire finishing period. The advantages in final BW and HCW seen in the present data may encourage producers to remove DDGS from finishing diets earlier than commonly practiced

Effect of Floor Feeding Creep Feed on the Growth Performance and Mortality of Pigs After Weaning

A total of 264 litters (PIC × Duroc (n = 180) or Choice Genetics × Duroc (n = 84)) corresponding to 2,497 nursery pigs were used in a 40-d trial (4-d pre-weaning and 36-d post-weaning) to determine the effect of floor feeding different pellet sizes of creep feed or lactation feed on the growth performance and mortality of pigs after weaning. Treatments were applied in the farrowing house for 4 d prior to weaning and consisted of a control (no creep feed), standard (1/8 in.) creep pellet, large (1/2 in.) creep pellet, or sow lactation feed. For each treatment, approximately 0.50 lb of creep feed per day, equally divided into 2 feedings (AM and PM) was provided on the mat in farrowing stalls. At weaning (approximately d 19 of age), pigs were transported to the nursery facility and randomized to pen within creep feeding treatment group. A total of 96 pens (48 feeders) were used, with one barrow pen and one gilt pen per feeder. Thus, feeder (2 pens) was the experimental unit. There were 26 pigs per pen (52 pigs per feeder) and 12 replications per creep feeding treatment. For creep feeding during lactation, floor feeding different pellet size creep feed or lactation feed had no effects on the percentage of piglets that consumed creep feed (eaters). For the first week post-weaning, pigs fed standard or large pellet creep feed had increased (P \u3c 0.001) ADG compared to pigs fed sow lactation feed or no creep feed. However, this was not driven by an improvement in ADFI. This resulted in an improved (P \u3c 0.001) F/G for pigs fed large pellet creep feed compared to pigs fed sow lactation feed or no creep feed, with pigs fed standard pellet creep feed intermediate. No differences in ADG, ADFI, or F/G were observed throughout the remainder of the nursery period. On a per pig placed basis, pigs fed large pellet creep feed had increased total BW gain (P = 0.024), ADG (P = 0.027), and improved F/G (P = 0.021) compared to pigs fed sow lactation feed, with the other two treatment groups intermediate. This response was a direct reflection of decreased (P = 0.050) total removal rate for pigs fed large pellet creep feed. In summary, floor feeding large pellet creep feed in lactation appears to improve nursery pig growth performance and fallout rates compared to creep feeding sow lactation feed, with standard pellet creep feed or no creep feed having an intermediate effect

Effects of Mat Feeding on the Growth Performance and Mortality of Pigs After Weaning

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effect of different mat feeding strategies on the growth performance and morbidity and mortality of pigs after weaning. Upon arrival to the nursery facility, pigs were randomized to pen. A total of 96 pens (48 feeders) with 30 to 35 pigs/pen were used for each experiment, with one barrow pen and one gilt pen per feeder. Thus, feeder (2 pens) was the experimental unit. Feeders were then blocked by group (date of placement) and randomly allotted to treatment. In Exp. 1, treatments consisted of two feed management strategies; mat feeding vs. no mat feeding. Overall, a tendency was observed for ADG (P = 0.056) with mat fed pigs having poorer ADG compared to the control group, which resulted in decreased (P \u3c 0.026) final body weights. No differences were observed in ADFI or feed efficiency. Mat fed pigs had reduced total removals (P = 0.019) compared to the control group. In Exp. 2, treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial with main effects of diet form (pellet or crumble) and mat feeding (without or with). No interactions between diet form and mat feeding were observed. No differences were observed in overall growth performance for the main effect of mat feeding, but for diet form, pigs that received pelleted feed had decreased overall ADFI (P = 0.013) and improved feed efficiency (P \u3c 0.001). No differences were observed in total removals. In Exp. 3, treatments consisted of three feed management strategies: mat feeding small (1/8 in.) pellets, mat feeding large (1/2 in.) pellets, and no mat feeding. No differences were observed in overall ADG or feed efficiency; however, mat fed pigs had increased ADFI (P \u3c 0.05), regardless of pellet size. Although not statistically significant, mat feeding the small pellets reduced the total removal rate by 2.1 percentage points compared to the control group, and 1.2 percentage points compared to mat feeding the large pellets. When combining the removal and mortality data for the three experiments, mat fed pigs had fewer total removals (P = 0.025) compared to the control group. In summary, mat feeding has limited effects on the growth performance of pigs after weaning; however, mat feeding may encourage earlier feed intake, therefore reducing the morbidity and mortality rate of pigs

The Effect of Increased Pork Hot Carcass Weights on Consumer Palatability Ratings of Top Loin Chops

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of pork hot carcass weight on consumer palatability ratings of top loin chops. Pork loins (n = 200) were collected from 4 different hot carcass weight groups: light weight group (less than 246.5 lb; LT), medium-light weight group (246.5 to 262.5 lb; MLT), medium-heavy weight group (262.5 to 276.5 lb; MHVY), and a heavy weight group (276.5 lb and greater; HVY). Instrumental color, visual color and marbling, and pH were taken for each loin prior to fabrication. Loins from all weight groups differed (P \u3c 0.05) in weight (LT \u3c MLT \u3c MHVY \u3c HVY). No carcass weight effects (P \u3e 0.05) were found for loin instrumental color, subjective color, subjective marbling, purge loss, and pH. Carcass weight did not affect (P \u3e 0.05) juiciness, flavor, or overall like ratings, but did affect (P \u3c 0.05) tenderness ratings. Chops from the HVY group were rated as more (P \u3c 0.05) tender compared to chops from the LT weight group. Weight group did not contribute (P \u3e 0.05) to the percentage of chops rated acceptable for flavor and overall like. The greatest (P \u3c 0.05) percentage of samples were rated acceptable for juiciness for chops from the HVY weight group, and the lowest (P \u3c 0.05) percentage of acceptable ratings for tenderness for chops were from the LT weight group. Consumers perceived the lowest (P \u3c 0.05) percentage of chops from the HVY group as unsatisfactory quality in comparison to chops from the 2 lightest weight groups. Weight did not contribute (P \u3e 0.05) to consumer quality ratings. These results indicate top loin chops from heavier weight carcasses have improved tenderness compared to chops from lighter carcasses