Reduced protein intake during the weaner period has variable effects on subsequent growth and carcass composition of pigs

2007 ◽  
Vol 47 (11) ◽  
pp. 1333 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. L. Collins ◽  
D. J. Henman ◽  
F. R. Dunshea

In total, 960 pigs (480 castrated males and 480 gilts), selected at ~28 days of age, were used to investigate the effect of restricting protein intake for a short period between 4 and 14 weeks of age. Pigs were selected over an 8-week period in groups of 120 pigs (three pens of 20 castrated males and three pens of 20 gilts per week). Pigs were given ad libitum access to commercial diets from weaning to slaughter. Pens of 20 pigs of each sex were allocated to one of six treatments: control (no restriction), restriction from 4 to 7 weeks of age, restriction from 7 to 10 weeks of age, restriction from 10 to 14 weeks of age, restriction from 4 to 10 weeks of age or a restriction from 4 to 14 weeks of age. During the period of restriction, pigs were offered ad libitum commercial diets that had been reduced in dietary lysine to digestible energy ratio by ~15%. Restricting protein intake between 7 and 10, 4 and 10 and 4 and 14 weeks of age reduced daily gain during the period of restriction. Pigs restricted from 7 to 10 weeks of age had reduced average daily feed intake (5.6%) from 7 to 10 weeks, followed by a reduction in average daily feed intake (5.5%) and improved feed efficiency (6.1%) in the subsequent period from 10 to 17 weeks of age. Daily gain for the entire experimental period was similar for all treatment groups, except those restricted from 7 to 10 weeks of age (3.9% lower than the controls), although there was no treatment effect on carcass weight. Interestingly, backfat was reduced by 10% in these animals compared with the controls, which may be economically beneficial in markets where producers are paid on backfat and carcass weight, such as those selling domestically in the Australian market. Economic benefits of reduced feed costs during both the restriction and realimentation periods were also observed when pigs were restricted from 10 to 14 weeks of age. Any economic benefits from short periods of protein restriction will vary depending on the specific market conditions and the local cost of feed protein sources.

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald E. Newman ◽  
Jeffery A. Downing ◽  
Peter C. Thomson ◽  
Cherie L. Collins ◽  
David J. Henman ◽  
...  

Three studies investigated the effect of feeding strategy on production performance and endocrine status of growing pigs. For Experiment 1, 20 entire male pigs (70.0 ± 4.6 kg) were allocated randomly to individual pens in one of four climate-controlled rooms. Pigs were fed for 23 days either ad libitum or entrained to feed bi-phasically for two 90-min periods. For Experiment 2, 20 entire male pigs (41.2 ± 3.5 kg) were housed as per Experiment 1. Pigs were fed for 49 days either ad libitum or fed bi-phasically for two 60-min periods. For Experiment 3, 100 female pigs (66.1 ± 3.5 kg) were randomly allocated to individual pens within a commercial piggery and fed for 42 days either ad libitum or bi-phasically for two 60-min periods. Ear vein catheters were inserted into 10 pigs from each group and hourly blood samples were collected for 24 h in Experiments 1 and 2 and for 11 h in Experiment 3. Plasma insulin, non-esterified fatty acid and glucose concentrations were determined in Experiments 1 and 2, and glucose and insulin concentrations in Experiment 3. Feed intake and performance were recorded in all experiments and carcass composition was assessed by computed tomography for Experiment 2. There were no differences in final liveweight between the two treatment groups for all experiments. Pigs fed for two 90-min periods (Experiment 1) showed no difference in feed intake when compared with feeding ad libitum. Pigs in Experiment 2 fed for two 60-min intervals consumed 2.49 kg/pig.day compared with those fed ad libitum that consumed 2.68 kg/day (P = 0.057). In Experiment 3, pigs fed twice daily consumed 2.82 kg/pig.day compared with 2.91 kg/pig.day in ad libitum-fed pigs (P = 0.051). Bi-phasic fed pigs in Experiment 2 had improved (P < 0.05) feed conversion efficiency compared with pigs fed ad libitum. For all experiments, there was no difference in plasma glucose concentrations between the two treatments. In all three experiments, the circulating insulin concentrations for pigs fed ad libitum remained at a constant level throughout the sampling period. However, plasma insulin concentrations for the bi-phasic fed pigs significantly increased ~1 h after both feeding periods during all three experiments. Insulin secretion of pigs fed for two 90-min periods differed from that of pigs fed for two 60-min periods. Plasma insulin concentration increased five-fold following feeding for 60 min, compared with that in pigs fed for 90 min, which increased two-fold. Bi-phasic-fed pigs from Experiment 2 had reduced (P < 0.05) total carcass fat and significantly increased muscle when compared with pigs fed ad libitum. The data showed that feeding pigs at two succinct periods aligned insulin secretion to the time of feeding. Pigs fed for 60 min, unlike those fed for 90-min intervals, had reduced feed intake in comparison to those fed ad libitum. This may suggest that the duration of the feeding bout is important for this response and this may in turn influence both energy balance and the way energy is partitioned.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 467-468
Author(s):  
Igor M Ferreira ◽  
Iorrano A Cidrini ◽  
Karla Oliveira ◽  
Luciana Sousa ◽  
Laura F Prados ◽  
...  

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the effects of forage allowance on the performance and pregnancy rate of Nellore heifers submitted to the fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) at 14±1 months. The experimental period was divided into the growing phase (GP; 173d) and breeding season (83d). Ninety weaned Nellore heifers [169±19 kg of body weight (BW); 210±28 days of age] were blocked by initial BW and randomly assigned to receive different forage allowance: (1) High (HFA; 7.17 kgDM/kgBW; and (2) Low (LFA; 3.27 kgDM/kgBW); and divided into 6 paddocks (2.15 to 2.4 ha each one). The grazing method used was continuous stocking with a variable stocking rate where treatment conditions were established varying the stocking rate on pasture (put-and-take). The supplement consisted of corn, soybean meal, urea, monensin, sodium chloride and minerals mix (80% TDN and 24% CP) and was provided daily (ad libitum; expected intake around 1% of BW). The final pregnancy rate was determined after two FTAI (d256). Heifers BW at the end of the GP was greater (P &lt; 0.01) for HFA vs. LFA (268 vs. 255 kg). The overall average daily gain (ADG) was greater 68 g/d for animals maintained in HFA than LFA (P &lt; 0.01; 0.713 vs. 0.645 kg/d). Supplement intake (kg/animal/d) had no treatment effect (P = 0.117). On d173, forage allowance affected (P &lt; 0.01) the backfat thickness obtained by real-time carcass ultrasound (HFA = 3.08 vs. LFA = 2.85 mm). The pregnancy rate had no treatment effect (P = 0.223; on average 61%). However, the pregnant heifers per hectare had treatment effect (P = 0.036; HFA = 3.78 vs. LFA = 2.72 pregnant heifers/ha). In conclusion, the low forage allowance reduces the animal performance and affects the carcass composition but provides a greater number of pregnant heifers per hectare.


1979 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 305-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Levy ◽  
Z. Holzer ◽  
D. Ilan

ABSTRACTFour groups of 14 3-month-old Israeli Friesian male cattle were each given monensin supplement in their concentrates at the following rates: between 3 and 6 months of age, 0, 0, 25 and 35 p.p.m.; and between 6 months and slaughter, 0, 35, 35 and 35 p.p.m. They were offered hay at approximately 0·3 % of their live weight and concentrates ad libitum.Daily gain between 3 and 6 months was 1·36, 1·40, 1·50 and 1·57 kg/day, respectively; between 6 months and slaughter it was 1·22, 1·32, 1·33 and 1·24 kg/day, respectively. Differences in intake of concentrates were small. There were no significant differences in slaughter data.Daily carcass gain throughout the experiment was 0·71, 0·74, 0·77 and 0·76 kg/day, respectively.Monensin-supplemented animals were approximately 9% more efficient in the conversion of metabolizable energy into live weight or carcass weight than the control animals.Production of propionate in the rumen was significantly increased in response to monensin supplementation, and the acetate to propionate ratio was significantly reduced.


1974 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Levy ◽  
Z. Holzer ◽  
H. Neumark ◽  
S. Amir

SUMMARYIn an experiment with group-fed cattle from 6 months of age to slaughter at 480 kg live weight two levels of feed intake: 1, ad libitum, 2, 85% of ad libitum amount, were combined with two ratios of concentrate to hay: a, 70: 30; b, 30: 70. In two further treatments, 3a and 3b, the cattle were fed diets a or b at 70% of ad libitum from 6 to 10 months and ad libitum thereafter.Daily gain during the first 124 days of the experiment was (in grams) 1293, 983, 1097, 846, 992 and 756, and from the 125th day to slaughter 735, 600, 796, 579, 830 and 714, for treatments la, lb, 2a, 2b, 3a and 3b, respectively. The decline in rate of gain from the first period to the second was inversely related to the level of feed intake and to the percentage of concentrates in the ration in the first period.Daily carcass gain was 582, 393, 532, 350, 531 and 368 g for treatments la, lb, 2a, 2b, 3a and 3b, respectively.The treatments that were switched over from 70% of ad libitum feed intake in the first period to 100% in the second (3a and 3b), exhibited considerable compensatory growth in the second period, but this was not sufficient to be of economic advantage.The overall ME requirement per kg of live-weight gain was inversely related to rate of gain. Of the six treatments, 2a (85% of ad libitum, 70% concentrate) was the most efficient (19·8 Mcal/kg live-weight gain).Animals on the 100% level of feed intake throughout the experiment (treatments la, lb) were significantly fatter than those on the other treatments.


1984 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 1063-1066
Author(s):  
A. G. CASTELL

Increasing the level of wheat screenings (95% green foxtail seeds) from 0 to 25% in diets fed ad libitum over the period from 34 to 89 kg liveweight resulted in an increased daily feed intake (P < 0.05), reduced (P < 0.05) feed efficiency and apparent digestibility, but produced no consistent effects on growth rate or carcass composition. Key words: Growing pigs, green foxtail, Setaria viridis, carcass, digestibility


1968 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 567 ◽  
Author(s):  
RH Weston ◽  
JP Hogan

Intake and digestion studies were conducted with sheep fed on ryegrass hay containing 6% crude protein and having an organic matter digestibility of 58%. The intake of ryegrass was little affected when additional protein was provided both as a dietary supplement and as an infusion per abomasum. When supplements containing adequate amounts of protein and minerals were given, the intake of the hay was still comparatively low at 780 g organic matter per day. Grinding and pelleting the diet of hay + supplements permitted a higher feed intake. It was concluded that feed intake was limited by the resistance of the organic matter of the hay to removal from the rumen. Digestion studies were conducted at a level of feeding equal to approximately 90% of the ad libitum intake. The quantity of organic matter apparently digested in the stomach was equal to 60% of the organic matter digested in the alimentary tract; about 80% of the digestion of fibre took place in the stomach. There was a net daily gain of 7.5 g of nitrogen during the passage of digesta through the stomach, and part of this gain appeared to be due to the passage of endogenous nitrogen into the rumen. The apparent digestibility in the intestines of nitrogen that left the stomach in digesta was 73%; 1.6 g of nitrogen was apparently digested in the intestines per 100 g organic matter intake. Values of certain parameters relating to the movement of digesta through the stomach were similar to those previously recorded with a low quality cereal hay.


1987 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 217 ◽  
Author(s):  
EB Greer

The effect on pig performance of 2 methods to reduce pen stocking densities was examined using 228 pigs growing from 20 to 100 kg in 7 commercial piggeries. Pigs either: (i) remained in the same pen for the full period; (ii) were moved to a different pen every 4 weeks; or (iii) were mixed, after 8 weeks when they weighed about 50 kg, with half the pigs from a second pen and then moved to 2 new pens. Pigs were fed ad libitum the diet normally used on each farm. Daily gain, feed:gain ratio and backfat depth were unaffected by treatment (P> 0.05). There was an indication (P<0.10) that movement increased daily feed intake and this may have been associated with a slight decline in carcass gradings. Fighting occurred when the pigs were mixed after 8 weeks, but no adverse effects were apparent at slaughter. Floor space allowances for growing pigs can be increased by 2 movement strategies (moving or moving-and-mixing) commonly used by producers, with only slight, if any, detriment to performance.


1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 517-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. BRENNAN ◽  
F. X. AHERNE

Sixty-seven pigs were weaned at 5 wk of age and assigned to pens with either plastic-coated expanded metal or woven-wire floorings. The feet of each pig were examined at weaning and at the end of a 28-d starter period for soundness. Eleven gilts which had been on plastic-coated flooring and 12 gilts which had been on woven-wire flooring were moved at the end of the starter period to 1.2 × 1.2-m pens with the same floor types. These pigs were fed ad libitum until slaughter at 94 kg bodyweight. At weaning, the incidence of foot lesions was only 7%. Floor type did not have any significant (P > 0.05) effect on average daily gain, average daily feed intake or feed:gain ratios of pigs during the starter (8–22 kg), grower (22–55 kg) or finisher (55–94 kg) periods. Foot lesions were most severe (P < 0.01) in starter pigs which were penned on woven-wire flooring. There was also a tendency (P < 0.06) towards more severe hind-toe lesions in 94-kg gilts which were penned on woven-wire flooring. In general, the lateral digits of the feet of these gilts had more severe lesions (P < 0.01) than the medial digits. The severity of osteochondrosis of the condyles of the femur and humerus, of the articular cartilage of the proximal ulna and radius and of the distal ulnar physis were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by floor type. The influence of floor type on the locomotory system appeared therefore to be confined to local foot abrasions and did not extend to the knee and elbow joints. Key words: Swine, floor, foot, lesion, osteochondrosis


1976 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 171-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Murray ◽  
Olga Slezacek

SummaryThe effect of three different growth rates from 15 to 40 kg live weight on the body composition of lambs was studied. The treatments were: High (H) ad-libitum feed intake, Low (L) restricted feed intake and High–Maintenance–High (HMH) ad-libitum feed intake from 15 to 25 kg followed by a 50-day period during which live weight was maintained constant, which in turn was followed by ad-libitum feeding. The animals were individually penned and fed a pelleted lucerne chaff-cereal grain mixture. Two animals were killed at the start of the experiment (15 kg) and the remaining 27 animals (nine in each treatment) were killed at common live weights of 25, 30, 35 and 40 kg. Analyses of covariance were used to compare linear regression equations representing results from each treatment using the logarithmic transformation of the allometric equation, y = axb.Animals in the H and L treatments had a mean growth rate from 15 kg until slaughter of 0·23 and 0·09 kg/day, respectively. From a live weight of 15 to 25 kg, the HMH group grew at a similar rate as the H group, viz. 0·22 and 0·21 kg/day, respectively. After the 50-day period of maintenance of live weight, the HMH animals killed at 30, 35 and 40 kg showed a marked compensatory growth response to ad-libitum feeding. These HMH animals had a mean growth rate of 0·37 kg/day compared with 0·26 kg/day for H animals over identical live-weight ranges.Empty body weight (EBW) formed a similar proportion of full body weight (FBW) in all three treatments. As a proportion of FBW, hot carcass weight (HCW) was similar in the H and L treatments, while at the 35 and 40 kg slaughter weights HCW was less in the HMH than in the H treatment. HCW also formed a lower proportion of EBW at the 35 and 40 kg slaughter weights in the HMH, than in both the H and L treatments. In the L treatment, HCW formed a greater proportion of EBW than in the H treatment, indicating a greater offal component of EBW in the H animals.The results of carcass dissection studies showed that, at the same dissected side weight (DSW), the amount of muscle, bone, connective tissue and total side fat (TSF) was similar in the three treatments. Although no differences were found between treatments in TSF, there were significant treatment effects on both the subcutaneous and inter-muscular fat depots. Animals in the H treatment had more and less, respectively, subcutaneous and intermuscular fat than the L animals. The amount of intermuscular fat was also greater in the HMH than in the H treatment.


2000 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 133 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Hunter ◽  
T. Magner ◽  
P. G. Allingham

The experiment measured the effect of 2 hormonal growth promotion strategies on growth rate, carcass characteristics, and some objective measurements of meat quality of steers. Bos indicus × Bos taurus crossbred steers grazing improved tropical pastures were divided into 3 treatment groups: unimplanted controls, implantation once with a long-acting formulation containing 45 mg oestradiol-17β (Compudose 400, Elanco Animal Health, West Ryde, NSW), implantation every 105 days with a shorter acting formulation containing 20 mg oestradiol-17β (Compudose 100) (4 implantations). Over a 420-day experimental period, steers implanted several times with oestradiol gained significantly (P < 0.001) more weight (279 kg) than those implanted once (251 kg) and the controls (230 kg). Respective carcass weights were 270, 255, and 244 kg. At the same carcass weight, oestradiol treatment had no significant effect on beef yield or carcass fatness. Increased total beef yields from implanted steers were associated with increased carcass weight, rather than significant modification of carcass composition. Treatment had no significant effect on any of the objective measures of meat quality studied, including ultimate pH, peak force, compression, and adhesion.


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