scholarly journals Impact of increasing weaning age on pig performance and belly nosing prevalence in a commercial multisite production system

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamil E G Faccin ◽  
Fernanda Laskoski ◽  
Luciana F Hernig ◽  
Rafael Kummer ◽  
Gustavo F R Lima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Production System ◽  
Removal Rate ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Weaning Age ◽  
Belly Nosing ◽  
Pig Performance ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Daily Gain ◽  
Growth Trial

Abstract The effects of increasing weaning age in a commercial production system on nursery and finishing performance were evaluated. A total of 1,176 pigs (PIC 337 × Camborough) were used in a 136-d growth trial with 14 and 10 replications/weaning age on the nursery and finishing phases, respectively. Treatments included weaning litters at 19, 22, 25, or 28 d of age. In the nursery, as weaning age increased, initial (5.04, 5.70, 6.52, and 7.26 kg) and final body weight (BW) (18.2, 19.8, 23.0, and 25.1 kg) increased (linear, P < 0.001). Increasing the weaning age reduced (linear, P < 0.001) the prevalence of pigs exhibiting belly nosing (27.6%, 15.0%, 6.5%, and 1.4%) during the first 3 wk. The percentage of pigs losing weight during the first week after weaning (35.1%, 28.7%, 12.4%, and 9.2%) decreased (linear, P < 0.001) as weaning age increased. Average daily gain (ADG; 295, 320, 374, 406 g/d) and average daily feed intake (493, 534, 619, 661 g/d) increased (linear, P < 0.001), while feed efficiency (G:F) (596, 599, 604, and 615) tended to increase (linear, P = 0.081) with weaning age. Removal rate (8.01%, 3.79%, 2.29%, and 1.65%) declined (linear, P = 0.001) as weaning age increased, while there was no evidence of difference (P = 0.463) in mortality rate (0.71%, 0.36%, 0.96%, 1.04%). In the finishing period, BW at 136 d post-weaning (114.9, 117.8, 124.7, and 126.5 kg) and ADG (1.02, 1.04, 1.08, and 1.07 kg/d) improved (linear, P < 0.001). There was no evidence of differences (P > 0.24) in removal (1.5%, 2.4%, 1.0%, and 0.0%) or mortality rates (0.9%, 1.0%, 1.0%, and 1.4%) with changes in weaning age. When performance was analyzed at a common day of life (164 d of age), no effects of weaning age (P > 0.25) were found for BW (125.2, 124.4, 128.0, and 126.5 kg) and lifetime ADG (growth rate from birth to market) (754, 751, 774, and 762 g/d). The BW sold per pig weaned increased (linear, P < 0.001) with weaning age. Even though the slope indicated a linear response, the magnitude of improvement was high until 25 d, before exhibiting diminishing returns from 25 to 28 d. Thus, the study suggests that increasing the weaning age can be an effective strategy to improve the overall performance in a commercial system. Although lifetime performance was not affected by the weaning age range studied, the consistent effect in the nursery and the increment in the number of pigs reaching the market facilitated by the improvement in the removal rate in the nursery phase imply that 25 d is the optimal weaning age.

scholarly journals 167 Increasing weaning age: a tool to improve pig performance in a multisite production system

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 95-96
Author(s):  
Jamil E G Faccin ◽  
Fernanda Laskoski ◽  
Luciana Hernig ◽  
Rafael Ulguim ◽  
Ana Paula Mellagi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Production System ◽  
Removal Rate ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
System A ◽  
Randomized Complete Block Design ◽  
Weaning Age ◽  
Pig Performance ◽  
Growth Trial

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the effects of weaning age on pig performance in a multisite production system. A total of 1,176 pigs (PIC 337 × Camborough) were used in a 136-d growth trial with 21 pigs per pen, 14 replications per age on nursery and 10 on finishing phase, in a randomized complete block design with two blocks of nursery and finishing sites. All pigs within each block were weaned in a common day from a 5000-sow farm. Treatments included weaning litters at 19, 22, 25, or 28 d of age. Pen was the experimental unit for data analysis. Increasing weaning age from 19 to 28 d increased ADG (linear, P < 0.001), and ADFI (linear, P < 0.001), decreased removal rate (linear, P = 0.001), tended to increase G:F (linear, P = 0.081), and showed no evidence for difference in mortality rate (P > 0.05) in the initial 42 d after weaning. Finishing ADG also was improved (linear, P = 0.001) by increasing weaning age; however, there was no evidence for difference (P > 0.05) in removal or mortality rate in the finisher. When analyzed the ADG at a common day of life (164 d of age), no evidence for difference (P > 0.05) were found between the four weaning ages tested. In conclusion, the present study suggests increasing weaning age up to 28 d can be an effective management strategy to improve nursery and finishing growth performance in multisite pig production. However, the growth rate on a lifetime basis is not affected by the weaning age.

scholarly journals Relationship between weaning age and antibiotic usage on pig growth performance and mortality

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamil E G Faccin ◽  
Mike D Tokach ◽  
Matthew W Allerson ◽  
Jason C Woodworth ◽  
Joel M DeRouchey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Performance Criteria ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Weaning Age ◽  
Pig Performance ◽  
Experimental Treatments ◽  
Main Effects ◽  
Daily Gain ◽  
Porcine Respiratory

Abstract A total of 2,184 pigs (DNA 600 × PIC L42) were used to evaluate the effects of weaning age and antibiotic (AB) use on pig performance from weaning to marketing in a commercial production system. Experimental treatments were arranged in a 3 × 2 factorial with main effects of weaning age (18.5, 21.5, or 24.5 d of age) and with the use of ABs or an antibiotic-free (NAE) program. At birth, pigs were ear tagged, and the date of birth and sex recorded. Pigs were weaned from a 4,000-sow farm over four consecutive weeks. Four weaning batches (one per week) of 546 pigs were used. Each weaning batch had one-third of pigs of each weaning age. Pigs were placed in pens by weaning age and then randomly assigned to an AB or NAE program. There were 14 replicate pens per treatment and 26 pigs per pen (13 barrows and 13 gilts). Pigs allocated to the AB program were fed a diet containing 441 mg/kg chlortetracycline (CTC) from day 8 to 21 postweaning. They were also administered 22 mg/kg of body weight (BW) of CTC via drinking water for five consecutive days after a porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome outbreak during week 7 after weaning. In the first 42 d postweaning, increasing weaning age improved (linear, P &lt; 0.001) BW at day 42, average daily gain (ADG), and average daily feed intake (ADFI). From weaning to 197 d of age, increasing weaning age increased (linear, P &lt; 0.001) ADG and ADFI. Pigs on the AB program had greater (P = 0.031) ADG and ADFI compared with NAE pigs. An interaction (linear, P = 0.005) was observed for feed efficiency (G:F). When ABs were provided, increasing weaning age did not result in any change in G:F; however, in the NAE program, increasing weaning age increased G:F. Pigs on the AB program had lower (P &lt; 0.001) total losses (mortality and removals) than those on the NAE program. Increasing weaning age marginally (linear, P = 0.097) decreased total losses. Increasing weaning age decreased (quadratic, P &lt; 0.001) the number of pigs treated with an injectable AB but the AB program did not (P = 0.238). The weight sold (at 197 d of age) per pig weaned was increased (linear, P = 0.050) by increasing weaning age and by using AB in feed and water (P = 0.019). In summary, increasing weaning age linearly improved most of the pig performance criteria and relatively the short-term use of ABs reduced mortality and removals with both factors contributing to increased weight sold per pig weaned.

scholarly journals PSIV-B-28 Late-Breaking: Performance and carcass quality of Nelore bull’s progenies with contrasting traits for precocity, growth and muscularity

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 319-321
Author(s):  
Taiane S Martins ◽  
Juliana Silva ◽  
Lenise Mueller ◽  
Tamyres Amorim ◽  
Annelise Aila G Lobo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Backfat Thickness ◽  
Longissimus Muscle ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Fat Thickness ◽  
Nelore Cattle ◽  
Daily Gain

Abstract The goal of this study was to evaluate the performance and the carcass traits of Nelore cattle progenies from bulls selected by contrasting traits for precocity, growth and muscularity, through the Expected Progeny Difference (EPD). One hundred and five Nelore bulls (initial weight of 350kg±15kg) and 20 months of age were confined and fed with same diet (73% of concentrate). Thirty-two animals were selected to create the contrasting groups for precocity, growth and muscularity (16 animals assigned as a low EPD group - LEPD and 16 animals assigned as a high EPD group - HEPD), based on the EPD of their parents. The ribeye area and backfat thickness were performed by ultrasonography of 12–13th rib fat thickness and longissimus muscle area (LMA), as well as rump fat thickness (RF) measurements. Animals were harvested after 100 days and during the deboning, meat cuts were weight for cutting yield. The animals selected for the HEPD group had greater average daily gain (P = 0.006), which can be explained by the higher feed intake (P = 0.006). However, there are no difference between groups for the final body weight (P = 0.254) and feed efficiency (P = 0.715). The LEPD group presented higher dressing percentage (P = 0.028). Although the groups evaluated did not presented difference in LMA (P = 0.329) and weight of longissimus muscle (P = 0.480), the weight of rump displayed heaviest in the HEPD (P = 0.037). There was no difference between groups for RF (P = 0.086). Nevertheless, backfat thickness was higher in HEPD group (P = 0.006). The present study indicates that Nelore cattle progenies, with parents displaying higher potential for precocity, growth, and muscularity, show greater backfat thickness and weightiest of rump than the other genetic backgrounds. Thanks to FAPESP for the scholarship (Grant # 2017/02349–1).

scholarly journals THE EFFECTS OF LEVELS OF ISOLATION, OR VARIETAL DIFFERENCES IN, HIGH FIBRE HULL FRACTION OF LOW GLUCOSINOLATE RAPESEED MEALS ON RAT OR PIG PERFORMANCE

1978 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 743-752 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. KENNELLY ◽  
F. X. AHERNE ◽  
A. J. LEWIS
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Rapeseed Meal ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Crude Fibre ◽  
Gain Ratio ◽  
Sprague Dawley Rats ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Pig Performance ◽  
Daily Gain

Forty-eight crossbred pigs of average initial weight 21 kg were fed 10% Tower rapeseed meal (RSM) and 10% Candle RSM as partial replacements for soybean meal (SBM). Diets were formulated to be isocaloric. Pigs fed the SBM diet consumed less feed, gained significantly (P < 0.01) faster and were more efficient at converting feed to gain than those fed the RSM diets. Performance of pigs fed Candle RSM was not significantly different to that obtained with Tower RSM. In a second experiment, dehulled Tower RSM and Tower RSM hulls were mixed in amounts to produce RSM with crude fibre levels of 6.8, 10.8, 13.5 and 15.8%. The simulated RSM and Tower and Candle RSM were used to completely replace SBM in the diets of weanling (75 g) Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats fed SBM had significantly (P < 0.05) higher average daily gain (ADG) than those fed Tower or Candle RSM, or diets containing the rapeseed meats. There was no significant (P < 0.05) difference in ADG, feed intake or feed to gain ratio of rats fed either Tower or Candle RSM. Feed intake, feed to gain ratio and fecal volatile fatty acid concentrations increased while average daily gain decreased with increasing level of hulls in simulated RSM diets. There was no significant difference (P < 0.05) in thyroid weight between rats fed SBM, Tower RSM or Candle RSM.

172 Effects of Dietary Valine, Isoleucine, and Tryptophan Supplementations to Diets Containing Excess Leucine from Corn Protein on Growth Performance of Growing Pigs

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 61-62
Author(s):  
Woongbi Bi Kwon ◽  
Jose A Soto ◽  
Hans H Stein
Keyword(s):  
Block Design ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Growing Pigs ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Corn Protein ◽  
Dietary Treatments ◽  
Daily Gain

Abstract An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that addition of Val, Ile, or Trp alone or in combination will reduce the negative effects of excess Leu in diets for growing pigs. A total of 288 growing pigs (28.6 ± 2.5 kg) were randomly assigned to 1 of 9 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design. There were 2 barrows and 2 gilts in each pen and 8 replicate pens per treatment. A control diet based on corn and soybean meal and 8 diets based on corn and a high-protein corn product (48% crude protein) with 2 levels of crystalline L-Val (0 or 0.10%), L-Ile (0 or 0.10%), and L-Trp (0 or 0.05%) were formulated. The crystalline L-Val, L-Ile, and L-Trp increased standardized ileal digestible (SID) Val:Lys from 70 to 80%, SID Ile:Lys from 53 to 63%, and SID Trp:Lys from 18 to 23%, respectively. All diets were formulated to contain 1.00% SID Lys and the 8 diets containing corn protein contained 171% SID Leu:Lys. Individual pig weights were recorded at the beginning and at the conclusion of the 28-d experiment. Data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED of SAS with a pen as the experimental unit. Diet was the fixed effect and block and replicate within block were random effects. Results indicated that final body weight and average daily gain were not different between pigs fed the control diet and pigs fed the diet with Val and Trp addition, but greater (P &lt; 0.001) than for pigs fed the diet with Val addition, Ile addition, Trp addition, Val and Ile addition, Ile and Trp addition, or Val, Ile, and Trp addition (Table 1). In conclusion, addition of Val and Trp to diets with excess Leu may prevent negative effects of excess Leu in diets for growing pigs.

Corn or soybean hull incorporation into haylage-based backgrounding beef cattle diets: Effect on growth and efficiency during the backgrounding and finishing periods

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (4) ◽  
pp. 615-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. C. Swanson ◽  
M. Ko ◽  
C. J. Mader
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Soybean Hulls ◽  
Feedlot Performance ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Plasma Urea ◽  
Soybean Hull ◽  
Daily Gain

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of corn or soybean hull incorporation into haylage-based diets on backgrounding calf performance and subsequent feedlot performance. Crossbred steers [n = 48, initial body weight (BW) = 303 ± 3.4 kg] were individually fed dietary treatments consisting of: (1) haylage [17.5% crude protein, dry matter (DM) basis; control], (2) haylage + 20% (DM basis) cracked corn, and (3) haylage + 20% (DM basis) soybean hulls during a 112-d backgrounding period. After the backgrounding period, all steers were adapted to a common high moisture corn-based finishing diet and fed until an ultrasound estimated backfat thickness of 7 mm was obtained. During the backgrounding period, steers fed cracked corn or soybean hulls had greater (P < 0.01) average daily gain, dry matter intake and gain:feed and lower (P = 0.05) plasma urea N as compared with controls. However, when finished on a common high-concentrate diet, steers previously fed cracked corn had greater (P < 0.08) average daily gain, final body weight, and longissimus muscle area than those fed soybean hulls, suggesting that source of supplemental energy during the backgrounding period may influence subsequent feedlot performance. Key words: Beef cattle, backgrounding, energy supplementation

scholarly journals PSII-24 Performance, carcass and meat quality of castrated and intact Dorper lambs slaughtered at different body condition scores

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 170-171
Author(s):  
Edson Luis de A Ribeiro ◽  
Francisco Fernandes Jr ◽  
Camila Constantino ◽  
Fernando Augusto Grandis ◽  
Natália Albieri Koritiaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Fat Thickness ◽  
Daily Gain ◽  
Body Condition Scores

Abstract This study was conducted with the objective of evaluating the performance, carcass and meat characteristics of castrated and intact Dorper male lambs slaughtered at three different body condition scores. Thirty-five lambs, approximately 3 months old, 21.6 ± 4.0 kg of body weight and 3.1 ± 0.5 of body condition score (BCS), were used. The BCS scale used varied from 1.0 (very thin) to 5.0 (very fat). Four weeks prior to the experiment, 17 lambs were castrated. Lambs were further divided into three groups, according to the criteria for slaughter: BCS of 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5. All animals received the same diet. BCS were achieved after 27, 84 and 130 days in feedlot, respectively. There were no interactions (P > 0.05) between sexual conditions and slaughter criteria. Average daily gain of weight (ADG) was different (P < 0.05) for the three BCS (average of 0.263). However, final body weight (28.6 ± 1.7; 42.7 ± 1.8 and 56.8 ± 1.7 kg) and back fat thickness (0.5 ± 0.5; 4.2 ± 0.5 and 7.3 ± 0.5 mm) were different (P < 0.05) among BCS criteria, panelists found that meats from lambs slaughtered with greater fat content were less (P < 0.05) desirable. We can conclude by the performance and meat results that it is better to slaughter Dorper lambs with BCS with no more than 4.0, or 4.2 mm of back fat cover, and for the best acceptability of the meat the lambs should be castrated.

scholarly journals PSVII-6 Effects dietary herbal vitamin E on lamb performance, ruminal fermentation, blood biochemical profile, and meat oxidative stability

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 160-161
Author(s):  
José A Martinez-Aispuro ◽  
German D Mendoza ◽  
Jose L Cordero ◽  
Marco A Ayala ◽  
Pedro A Hernandez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin E ◽  
Oxidative Stability ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Blood Cholesterol ◽  
Ruminal Fermentation ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Quadratic Response ◽  
Daily Gain

Abstract The objective of this experiment was to evaluate four levels of a natural vitamin E on lamb performance, blood metabolites, rumen metabolism and meat quality characteristics. Thirty-six male lambs (29.24 SD 2.54 kg Hampshire x Suffolk) were used in a completely randomized experimental design. Treatments consisted of dietary inclusion of Herbal E-50 (Nuproxa) at 0, 1, 2 and 3 g/kg dry matter (DM) for for 60 days in lambs that did not receive any additional source of vitamin E. A quadratic response was observed on daily gain, final body weight, feed conversion, intake blood cholesterol and glucose. The estimated optimal level of herbal E obtained of herbal E levels for average daily gain was 1.76 ± 0.10 g/kg and 1.84 ± 0.77 g/kg for feed conversion. Ruminal pH and the major volatile fatty acids were not affected by herbal E. A quadratic response was observed on blood cholesterol (P < 0.10) and glucose (P < 0.01). Dietary herbal E increased linearly counts of erythrocytes (P < 0.05), platelet (P < 0.10), proteins and globulins (P < 0.01) whereas the albumin/globulin ratio was linearly reduced (P < 0.01). Meat texture was improved (quadratic; P < 0.05) and the reducing/antioxidant capacity was improved linearly (P < 0.001) with herbal E. Redness measured at 7 d was also improved with herbal E (P < 0.05; lineal effect). The lamb performance can be improved with 1.8 g/kg Herbal E 50 in finishing lamb diets. The inclusion of herbal E feed plant additive improved the daily gain in finishing lambs, feed efficiency and improved meat oxidative stability.

scholarly journals Metabolizable energy levels in diets with high lysine for growing and finishing pigs

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soraia Viana Ferreira ◽  
Lívia Maria dos Reis Barbosa ◽  
Camila Schultz Marcolla ◽  
Marcos Henrique Soares ◽  
Dante Teixeira Valente Júnior ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Meat Quality ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Water Losses ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Metabolizable Energy Intake ◽  
Daily Gain

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of metabolizable energy (ME) levels in diets with high digestible lysine concentration on performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of barrows from 95 to 158 days of age. Eighty commercial hybrid barrows (50 ± 1.82 kg) selected for lean meat deposition, were assigned to four dietary treatments (3,150, 3,235, 3,320, and 3,400 kcal EM kg-1) in a randomized design with 10 replicate pens per treatment and two pigs per pen. From 95 to 116 days of age, we observed no effects of ME on final body weight (FBW), average daily gain (ADG), metabolizable energy intake (MEI), and feed conversion (F: G). Average daily feed intake (ADFI) decreased linearly with increasing ME levels (? = 5.79961 - 0.00096790X - r2 = 0.89). From 95 to 137 days of age, no effects of ME were observed on final body weight (FBW), average daily gain (ADG), metabolizable energy intake (MEI), and feed conversion (F: G). Average daily feed intake (ADFI) decreased linearly with increasing ME (?= 6.1176 - 0.001X - r2= 0.97). From 95 to 158 days, of age no effects of ME were observed on FBW and ADG. Dietary ME influenced the ADFI and F: G, which decreased linearly with increasing ME concentrations (?= 8.12951 - 0.00149X - r2= 0.99; ?= 6.0914 - 0.001X - r² = 0.75, respectively). There was a linear increase in loin eye area (LEA) with increasing ME (? = - 29.851 + 0.0207 X - r² = 0.87). Backfat thickness, pH, and temperature, measured at different times after slaughter (0 min, 45 min, 3 h, and 24 h), were not affected by dietary ME. The level of ME also did not affect the meat quality parameters Color L*, Color a*, Color b*, Warner-Bratzler shear force, thaw water losses, cooking water losses, sum of water losses, intramuscular fat content, and TBARS. Diets with 3,400 kcal kg-1 ME, corresponding to 2.75, 2.57, and 2.31 g digestible lysine/Mcal of ME for pigs from 95 to 116, 116 to 137, and 95 to 158 days of age, respectively, resulted in best performance and carcass traits, without negative effects on meat quality.

scholarly journals 139 Bioavailability of valine in a fermentation biomass product relative to the bioavailability in crystalline L-valine when fed to weanling pigs

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 78-79
Author(s):  
Maryane S Faria de Oliveira ◽  
John K Htoo ◽  
Caroline J González-Vega ◽  
John E Thomson ◽  
Hans H Stein
Keyword(s):  
Linear Regression ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Relative Bioavailability ◽  
Feed Ratio ◽  
Weanling Pigs ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Quadratic Effects ◽  
Daily Gain

Abstract An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that Val from a Val-containing fermentation biomass product (Val-FB; 64.4% L-Val) has a bioavailability of 100% relative to L-Val (98% Val) when fed to weanling pigs. A Val-deficient basal diet containing 0.63% standardized ileal digestible (SID) Val was formulated. Six additional diets were prepared by supplementing the basal diet with 0.08, 0.16, or 0.24% L-Val or 0.12, 0.25, or 0.37% Val-FB to create experimental diets containing 0.71, 0.79, or 0.87% SID Val. A total of 224 weanling pigs (6.87 ± 0.64 kg) were allotted to a randomized complete block design with 7 diets and 8 replicate pens per diet. Diets were fed for 21 d and growth performance was measured on a pen basis. Orthogonal-polynomial contrasts were used to determine linear and quadratic effects of L-Val and Val-FB levels on performance and the effect of Val sources. A linear regression model based on performance was used to estimate the relative bioavailability (RBV) of Val in Val-FB relative to L-Val. The final body-weight (BW) and average-daily-gain (ADG) were greater (P < 0.01) for pigs fed diets supplemented with Val-FB than pigs fed diets supplemented with L-Val (Table 1). The average-daily-feed-intake (ADFI) decreased linearly (P < 0.01), whereas gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) increased (P < 0.01) by supplementing graded levels of both Val sources to the diets. The RBV of Val in Val-FB as determined by ADG, G:F, and final BW was 146, 135, and 143%, respectively, with 95% confidence intervals of 99 to 191%, 83 to 187%, and 70 to 217%, respectively. In conclusion, the linear regression estimated a RBV of at least 100% for Val-FB relative to L-Val, and pigs fed diets supplemented with Val-FB had greater ADG and final BW than pigs fed diets supplemented with the same amount of L-Val.

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