PSVIII-14 Impact of altering Lys:energy ratio during gestation on offspring post-wean growth performance

Abstract Lysine and energy supply in gestation can influence preweaning mortality and sow lactation feed intake but little data exists for the impact on offspring post-weaning performance. A study evaluated the effects of dietary Lys:energy during gestation on offspring performance from weaning until market. Both primiparous and multiparous females (n=59 in 2 groups) were blocked by parity, balanced by weight and allotted to one of three gestation feeding regimens: 1.50 g SID Lys/Mcal ME (Control), 1.50 g SID Lys/Mcal ME from d2–89 and 2.11 g SID Lys/Mcal ME from d90–110 d of gestation (PF1) and 1.25, 1.07, and 0.88 g SID Lys/Mcal ME from d2–89 for gilts, parity 1 and parity 2+, respectively and 2.11 g SID Lys/Mcal ME from d90–110 d of gestation (PF2). Offspring (n=682) were weaned into 40 pens by maternal treatment (n=13-15 pigs/pen, mixed gender/pen). Pen feed disappearance and individual pig weights were determined at least once each month until market. Animals were marketed by a technician blinded to treatment; to account for potential marketing bias, adjusted d130 weight was calculated. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block with means separation using Scheffe’s adjustment. The offspring of Control sows had decreased BW at weaning (P < 0.001) versus PF1 offspring and Control offspring had decreased BW (P = 0.001) compared to both PF1 and PF2 at d7 post-weaning. Despite minimal differences in ADG, ADFI, or G:F between treatments, PF2 offspring were heavier (P = 0.02) at market and adjusted d130 weight than Control pigs. While PF1 offspring had similar BW at market than Controls, they spent fewer (138.2 vs. 142.7; P = 0.009) days on feed than Control pigs due to the aforementioned marketing bias. Altered Lys:energy ratio in a single gestation cycle improved offspring post-wean performance.

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Mint Oil, ɤ-Tocopherol, and Whole Yeast Cell in Sow Diets Enhance Offspring Performance in the Postweaning Period

Frontiers in Veterinary Science ◽

10.3389/fvets.2021.658956 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Lily P. Hernandez ◽

James L. Dunn ◽

Joel Wenninghoff ◽

Amanda Hesse ◽

Crystal L. Levesque

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Yeast Cell ◽

Control Diet ◽

Dietary Treatment ◽

Oxidative Status ◽

Offspring Performance ◽

Treatment Groups ◽

Maternal Treatment ◽

Feeding Regimen ◽

And Control

Times of high metabolic activity in gestation and lactation, as well as periods of stress at weaning, can lead to greater incidences of oxidative stress in the dam and offspring during the suckling and postweaning period. Oxidative stress is an imbalance between prooxidant molecules and the antioxidant defense system that can negatively impact growth and/or reproductive performance. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of whole yeast cell, peppermint oil, and ɤ-tocopherol in gestation and lactation on maternal oxidative status and offspring growth from birth to market. In study 1, 45 sows and gilts were assigned to one of four diets [control diet (CON), control + whole yeast cell (YC), control + mint oil top dress (MO), and control + yeast cell and mint oil top dress (YCMO)] provided from d110 of gestation through to weaning. A total of 481 weaned offspring were randomly allotted to pens balanced by weight and litter within maternal treatment and received the same dietary treatment as the sow for 35 days postwean in a four-phase feeding regimen. In study 2, 53 sows and gilts were allotted to four diet regimens similar to study 1 [CON, YC, MO, and control + ɤ-tocopherol (GT)] from d5 postbreeding to weaning. At weaning, 605 piglets were randomly allotted to pens, balanced by weight and litter within maternal treatment and fed a common diet for 126 days postwean in a nine-phase feeding regimen. Maternal dietary treatment did not impact sow body weight, piglet birth weight, and litter size in either study. In study 1, piglets from YC sows were heavier (p < 0.05) at weaning than CON animals. In the postwean period, overall daily gain was greater (p < 0.05) for CON-fed pigs than YCMO pigs, with overall feed intake greater (p < 0.05) for YCMO- than MO-fed pigs, resulting in lower (p < 0.05) Gain to Feed (G:F) in YCMO-fed pigs. In study 1, glutathione content in milk tended to be lower (p < 0.10) in MO than in YCMO sows. In study 2, piglets from GT-fed sows tended to be heavier (p < 0.10) at weaning than YC piglets. Lightweight pigs from CON sows tended to be lighter (p < 0.10) than pigs from all other treatment groups at weaning and day (d) 29 postwean. Lightweight MO and GT pigs were heavier at d42 (p < 0.05) than CON and YC pigs. At d70 postwean, GT pigs tended to be heavier than CON pigs. Lightweight MO pigs had greater gain (p < 0.05) during the finishing period than all other treatment groups. With respect to sow oxidative status in study 2, glutathione content in colostrum and d4 and 14 milk samples did not differ by maternal treatment. Superoxide dismutase activity in sow sera, colostrum, and milk did not differ between diets in either study. Whole yeast cell and ɤ-tocopherol supplementation in sow lactation diets resulted in heavier offspring. However, pre- and postnatal exposure to mint oil benefited lightweight pigs up to market weight.

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509 Late-Breaking: Effect of a Sensory Additive on Sow Reproductive Performance

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.374 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 206-206

Author(s):

Nathan Davis ◽

Tsungcheng Tsia ◽

Benjamin Bass ◽

Gemma Tedo ◽

Sofia Morais ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Performance ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Random Effect ◽

Body Weight Change ◽

Lactation Performance ◽

Thickness Change ◽

Breaking Effect ◽

Ad Libitum ◽

Sow Lactation ◽

The Impact

Abstract The addition of a sensory additive to sow diets during the summer improved feed intake during lactation, and litter performance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the sensory additive on sow lactation performance during cooler temperatures. Three consecutive groups (n = 61 total) of sows were farrowed during winter (October, December and January). Sows were weighed, and back fat depth was measured, at 110 d of gestation prior to entering the lactation room, and again at weaning. The sows were sorted by parity, and then allotted by BW at d 110 to Control or 0.075% sensory additive (Luctamax® SowVive, Lucta S.A., Spain). Experimental diets were offered upon entry to the lactation room and fed through weaning. Feed disappearance was recorded every three days. Sows were fed 2.72 kg/head/day until farrowing, and then allowed to eat ad libitum from 24 hours post-farrowing until weaning. Data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS as an RCBD with treatment as the fixed effect and group as a random effect. No differences were observed on sows feed intake (P > 0.4), 10th rib backfat thickness change (P = 0.632) and body weight change from d 110 of gestation to weaning (P = 0.65, Table 1). Sows fed the sensory additive lowered preweaning mortality by 4.9% (P = 0.051), and weaned an additional 1.42 piglets (P = 0.026) with similar weaning weights (P = 0.86) when compared to control. In conclusion, in the current study, lactation diets supplemented with a sensory additive improved litter performance and helped maintain sow body condition.

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165 Impact of mycotoxin contamination of feed on growth performance and blood metabolites of growing pigs

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz122.168 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 93-93

Author(s):

Jesus A Acosta ◽

Gwendolyn M Jones ◽

John F Patience

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Control Diet ◽

Blood Parameters ◽

Growing Pigs ◽

Blood Metabolites ◽

Mycotoxin Contamination ◽

The Impact

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of deoxynivalenol (DON), derived from contaminated corn, on growth performance and blood metabolites. A total of 32 growing pigs (initial BW 73.1 ± 1.2 kg; L337 × Camborough, PIC, Hendersonville, TN) were randomly allotted in individual pens to 1 of 2 treatments: a non-contaminated control diet (CTL) and a diet containing 1.8 mg DON/kg (CTL+DON). Upon analysis, CTL+DON also contained 1.9 mg zearalenone/kg and 1.0 mg total fumonisins/kg. On d 1, blood samples were obtained at 60, 120 and 240 min following resumed access to feed. Pigs had ad libitum access to feed thereafter and for 28 d in total. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with initial BW, sex and treatment as fixed effects, and blood parameters the repeated measures. Compared with CTL, pigs fed CTL+DON had decreased final BW (102.9 vs 87.5 kg; P < 0.001), ADG (1.06 vs 0.51 kg; P < 0.001) and ADFI (2.97 vs 1.54 kg; P < 0.001). Mycotoxins did not affect G:F (0.35 vs 0.32; P = 0.234 for CTL and CTL+DON, respectively). Compared to CTL, pigs fed CTL+DON had increased levels of blood cholecystokinin, a hormone involved in satiety and digestion (32.1 vs 43.3 pg/mL; P = 0.048), increased ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite and promotes fat deposition (345 vs 654 pg/mL; P = 0.011), a tendency for decreased blood urea nitrogen (19.6 vs 17.1 mg/dL; P = 0.076), and increased creatine kinase (2,826 vs 4,920 IU/L; P = 0.027). No treatment differences were observed for circulating creatinine, glucose, albumin, or alkaline phosphatase. In conclusion, mycotoxin contamination substantially impaired feed intake and growth. Pigs offered mycotoxin-contaminated feed had altered blood parameters related to appetite regulation and nutrient metabolism. However, it was not possible to determine if these differences were due to the mycotoxin contamination or to reduced feed intake.

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Stimulate feed intake before weaning and control intake after weaning to optimise health and growth performance

World Rabbit Science ◽

10.4995/wrs.2015.3977 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 145 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Tehya Read ◽

Sylvie Combes ◽

Thierry Gidenne ◽

Nicolas Destombes ◽

Luc Grenet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Feeding Strategy ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Lower Growth ◽

Mortality And Morbidity ◽

Slaughter Age ◽

And Control ◽

Digestive Health

Post-weaning feed restriction is a common practice in rabbit farming to reduce mortality, but results in lower growth performance and slaughter weights. This study aimed to assess the influence of 2 diets both rich in fibre and low in starch, with high or low digestible energy (DE) and digestible protein (DP) contents for a constant DP/DE ratio offered from 18 to 70 d of age, on the growth performance and health parameters of rabbits. Eight hundred rabbit kits were divided in 2 experimental groups differing in the feed offered from 18 to 70 d: a high concentrate diet (HC group; 10.37 MJ DE/kg DM and 102 g DP/kg DM) or low concentrate diet (LC group; 9.63 MJ DE/kg DM and 95 g DP/kg DM). Feed was offered ad libitum before weaning (35 d) and from 63 to 70 d, while feed offered from 35 to 63 d was controlled to obtain similar DE intake in both groups. Feed intake, animal weights and health status were recorded weekly. Mortality was recorded daily. Feed intake was similar in both groups before weaning (P=0.204), and consequently the DE intake was higher in the HC group compared to the LC group before weaning (3.91 vs. 3.39 MJ, respectively; P=0.017). Feed intake from 63 to 70 d was lower in the HC than in the LC group (229 vs. 239 g/d/kit, respectively; P<0.001). Total DE ingested after weaning was similar in both groups (45.44 MJ; P=0.143). Kits were heavier in the HC group throughout the study (P<0.05). A higher average daily gain during the periods of 18-28, 35-42 and 56-63 d was seen in the HC group (+8.1%, +16.8% and +4.5%, respectively; P<0.05). Mortality and morbidity rates were similar between groups throughout the study (P=1.0 and P=0.104, respectively). Our results suggest that when the feed intake after weaning is controlled, i) the feeding strategy before weaning determines the weight at weaning and at slaughter age; and ii) rabbits fed a diet more highly concentrated but rich in fibre increase their growth performance without negative consequences on their digestive health.

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PSVI-10 Mint oil, yeast cell, and ɣ-tocopherol supplementation in gestation and lactation diets on the antioxidant status of the sow and offspring performance during the suckling period

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa054.341 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 194-195

Author(s):

Lily P Hernandez ◽

James L Dunn ◽

Joel Wenninghoff ◽

Crystal L Levesque

Keyword(s):

Yeast Cell ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Antioxidant Status ◽

Maternal Diet ◽

Offspring Performance ◽

Once Daily ◽

Minimal Impact ◽

Suckling Piglet ◽

Piglet Growth ◽

And Control

Abstract Times of high metabolic activity can lead to increased incidence of oxidative stress in gestating and lactating sows which may impact suckling piglet performance. Identifying products that could help alleviate this stress would be beneficial. A study assessed yeast cell, mint oil, and ɣ-tocopherol supplementation in gestation and lactation diets on sow antioxidant status and offspring performance to weaning. A total of 53 sows and gilts (206.2 ± 35.3 kg at breeding) were assigned to one of 4 diet regimens: Control (CON), control + yeast cell at 0.15% (YC), control + mint oil at 10 ppm (MO), and control + ɣ-tocopherol at 200 ppm (GT). Diets were provided from breeding through weaning (lactation day 21 ± 2). Control diets were formulated to meet nutrient requirements in gestation (3279 kcal ME/kg, 0.63% SID Lys) and lactation (3279 kcal ME/kg, 1.06% SID Lys). Yeast cell, mint oil and ɣ-tocopherol were added as a top dress once daily. Sow variables evaluated were weight at beginning and end of each period, feed intake, litter characteristics at birth, and antioxidant status in serum, colostrum and milk. Piglet growth during suckling was determined. Data were analyzed as randomized complete block and Tukey’s adjustment as means separation test. Maternal diet had minimal impact on gestation or lactation feed intake or sow body weight. There was no effect on litter size or piglet birth weight. Piglets from GT-fed sows tended to be heavier at weaning than YC piglets due to differences in daily gain. Glutathione content in colostrum and d14 milk samples did not differ by maternal treatment. D14 milk Glutathione content was 40%, 59%, 62%, and 51% greater in CON, YC, MO, and GT sows, respectively, compared to colostrum. No difference in superoxide dismutase content in serum and d14 milk observed. Inclusion of ɣ-tocopherol in sow gestation and lactation diets enhanced suckling piglet growth; connection to sow antioxidant status remains unclear.

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Growth performance and antioxidant status of growing rabbits fed on diets supplemented with Eucommia ulmoides leaves

World Rabbit Science ◽

10.4995/wrs.2018.7864 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 35 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Song Li ◽

Miaoqing Zhao ◽

Tingting Jiang ◽

Wenwen Lv ◽

Shujuan Gao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Antioxidant Status ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Control Group ◽

Eucommia Ulmoides ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Diet Control ◽

And Control

The present study evaluated the effect of dietary Eucommia ulmoides leaves (EUL) on growth performance and antioxidant status of growing rabbits under heat stress condition. Four hundred and fifty weaned New Zealand male rabbits (6 wk old) were randomly divided into 3 equal groups (150 rabbits/group) and fed with a basal diet (control, digestible energy (DE): 15.92 MJ/kg and crude protein (CP): 19.24%) or the basal diet supplemented with 1 or 5 g of EUL/kg of diet (EUL1 and EUL5), in which the same quantity of barley meal was replaced. During the 21 d of experiment (43 to 63 d of age), the temperature and relative humidity of the rabbit house ranged from 27.5 to 32.5°C and from 65 to 73%, respectively. We analysed feed intake, growth performance and antioxidant status of growing rabbits. Compared with the control group, at the end of the experimental period, EUL supplementation significantly reduced the average daily feed intake (92.0, 92.8 and 100.7 g/d for EUL1, EUL5 and control, respectively; P<0.05), improved the feed conversion ratio (3.80, 3.81 and 4.59 for EUL1, EUL5 and control, respectively; P<0.05), increased the activities of glutathione peroxidase (+35.5 and +35.0% in plasma and liver of rabbits in EUL5 vs. control group, respectively; P<0.05) and reduced those of malondialdehyde (–12.0 and –46.0% in plasma and liver of rabbits in EUL5 vs. control group, respectively; P<0.05). These results suggest that inclusion of EUL in the diet of growing rabbits improved the growth performance and antioxidant status in growing rabbits.

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Effects of Fish By-product Meal Inclusion in Broiler Feeds on Growth Performance

Journal of Experimental Agriculture International ◽

10.9734/jeai/2020/v42i730556 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 76-81

Author(s):

Ashenafi Assefa Adugna ◽

Keredin Mohammed Habib ◽

Ojuni Odier ◽

Tsigabu Gebresilase

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Calculated Data ◽

Design Parameters ◽

Broiler Chicks ◽

Poultry Production ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Feed Costs

Background: The presence of inadequate and inconsistent feeds to the chicken resulted in lower performance of chick production in Ethiopia. Broilers are meat type chickens with fast income generation and depend on high quality feed. Feed costs alone currently account for over 65-70% of poultry production in third world countries, there has been recent interest in determining the feeding value of different locally available alternative feeding resources. As fish is generally appreciated as one of the healthiest and cheapest source of protein and it is available in Gambella water bodies, this research is intended to investigate the effects of fish by-product inclusion in broiler feeds on growth performance. Two hundred and forty (240) day old broiler chicks (Cobb 500) were reared and assigned to four treatments for 42 days. Treatment one was the control without fish by-product meal, treatment 2 contained 2% fish by-product meal, treatment 3 contained 3% fish by-product meal and treatment 4 contained 5% fish by-product meal. Each treatment was replicated 3 times with 20 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. Parameters measured for the experiment were the initial body weight, final weight, daily feed intake while weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated. Data were analyzed using General linear model procedure of statistical analysis software (SAS) version 9.2. Results: This study indicated that the average daily feed intake of broiler significantly increased (P<0.05) in 3 and 5% fish by-product meal level to the diets during 11-20 days of age. At the age of 32 – 42 days the average body weight and daily feed intake at the age of 21-32 days were significantly (P<0.05) increased in 3 and 5% fish by-product meal level compared to control and 2% fishmeal diet. Conclusion: This study revealed that inclusion of fish by-product meal in the diet improved the performance of broiler. To utilize and exploit the potential of fish by-product meal as broiler feed in Gambella region, farmers should get training on preparation and utilization of fish by product.

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PSIV-B-27 Effect of feed flavour on the feeding behaviour and kinetics of daily feed intake of lactating high-prolific sows during summer

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.715 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 392-393

Author(s):

Bruno Alexander N Silva ◽

Simon Eskinazi ◽

David V Jacob ◽

Wagner Araújo ◽

Iara Ataíde ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Feed Intake ◽

Control Diet ◽

Climate Conditions ◽

Voluntary Feed Intake ◽

Tropical Conditions ◽

Randomized Experimental Design ◽

Dietary Treatments ◽

And Control ◽

The Impact ◽

Kinetics Of

Abstract Increasing voluntary feed intake of the sow is a major challenge for nutritionists in tropical climate conditions. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of the dietary supplementation of a feed flavour for sows during lactation on their feeding behavior and kinetics of daily feed intake under tropical conditions. A total of 60 high-prolific mixed parity sows divided into 10 batches of 6 sows each were used, distributed in a completely randomized experimental design among 2 dietary treatments (0 or 500 g/ton of Krave®, Adisseo). The average meal size was 107 g/meal lower in sows fed the control diet when compared with flavour fed sows. Daily feed intake was greater in the flavored diet than in the control (6,417 vs. 5,362 g/d; P < 0.05). The flavor improved ingestion time (58.4 vs. 46.6 min/ d, respectively flavour and control; P < 0.05). Sows receiving flavor showed a higher nocturnal (704 vs. 583 g/meal) and diurnal (678 vs. 582 g/meal) feed intake. Sows also showed a higher voluntary intake between 00:00 and 10:00 am, which was equivalent to 83% of the total daily feed intake. From a comparison of hourly feed intakes or variations from hour to hour (during 24 h), the nycthemeral pattern of feed intake peaked twice daily for both dietary treatments. However, the size of the peak was greater (P < 0.05) for flavour fed sows when compared with the control at 0400 and 1900 h (Figure 1a). Diets also influenced on kinetics of daily feed intake during the lactation period.Feed intake was higher for the flavour fed sows from d 3 to 8 and from d 10 to 24 (Figure 1b; P < 0.05).In conclusion, the strategic use of a feed flavour to manipulate the sensorial properties of feed is a viable strategy to increase the sows’ voluntary feed intake.

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PSVI-10 Impact of Soybean Inclusion Level in Late Gestation on Offspring Performance

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab054.363 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 222-222

Author(s):

Abigail R Loucks ◽

Dana M van Sambeek ◽

Elizabeth A Hines

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Late Gestation ◽

Immunoglobulin Production ◽

Offspring Performance ◽

Body Weights ◽

Inclusion Rate ◽

Inclusion Level ◽

Dietary Treatments ◽

The Impact

Abstract Inclusion of soybean meal (SBM) in gestation diets has been decreasing as producers replace amino acid sources with more cost-effective ingredients. In particular, SBM components have been associated with immunoglobulin production and increased nutrition in late gestation has been associated with limited growth performance increases. Yet, it is unknown if SBM inclusion levels in late gestation diets influences offspring growth during the lactation and nursery phases. Therefore, the objective of this project is to investigate the impact of SBM inclusion rates in late gestation on offspring performance. Sows (n = 63) were assigned to one of four diets, 14 days prior to farrowing: A (n = 13; 0% SBM, 13.5% crude protein (CP), B (n = 16; 10% SBM, 13.5% CP), C (n = 17; 30% SBM, 21.5% CP), D (n = 17; 0% SBM, 21.5% CP). Growth performance of piglets was evaluated during lactation. Piglets per diet: A (n = 170), B (n = 183), C (n = 200), D (n = 228). Body weights were recorded daily from birth through d10 of lactation then at d15 and every 7 days until weaning. Colostrum and milk at d15 were evaluated for immunoglobulin concentration. After weaning, weights were recorded at two-week intervals during the nursery phase. No significant effect of gestation diet was observed for birth weight (P = 0.27) or ADG from day 0 to weaning (P = 0.78). Wean weight (WW), post-wean weight 1 (PW1), and post-wean weight 2 (PW2) were not different across dietary treatments (P > 0.28). Immunoglobulin production was similar across diets. These results suggest that the inclusion rate of SBM content in the last 14 days of gestation has no impact on offspring performance. Continued research is needed into understanding the impact of nutritional status of the sow during gestation on long-term offspring performance.

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PSVII-39 Impact of reducing dietary fermentable protein level on growth performance in nursery pigs

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz258.711 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 356-357

Author(s):

Pengcheng Xue ◽

Sara Ebarb ◽

Sabrina Williams ◽

James Jolliff ◽

Junmei Zhao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Soybean Meal ◽

Calculated Data ◽

Performance Parameters ◽

Nursery Pigs ◽

High Quality Protein ◽

Standard Level ◽

Dietary Treatments ◽

The Impact ◽

Cu And Zn

Abstract Inclusion of highly digestible proteins can reduce protein fermentation in the hindgut and ameliorate digestive stress after weaning. This study evaluated the impact of reduced fermentable protein (FP) level on growth performance in nursery pigs. A total of 1,760 pigs (~19 d of age; initial BW = 5.4 ± 0.1 kg) were used in a study with 5 dietary treatments, 16 pens/treatment, and 22 pigs/pen. The pigs were housed in two barns which were blocked separately by pen location and randomly allocated to treatments. Treatments were: 1) Corn, soybean meal diets with antibiotics and pharmacological levels of Cu (235 ppm) and Zn (3000 ppm) (PC); 2) Corn, soybean meal diets without antibiotics and nutritional levels of Cu and Zn and standard level of FP (NC); 3) NC + 7.5% of FP; 4) NC - 7.5% of FP; 5) NC - 15% of FP. The content of FP for each ingredient was calculated by subtracting the apparent ileal digestible CP from the apparent total tract digestible CP. Treatment diets were formulated to similar energy and nutrient levels that met or exceeded NRC (2012) requirements. Pen weights were obtained on d 0, 8, and 22.5 post-weaning and growth performance parameters were calculated. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS 9.3 (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC). Constructed contrasts tested the effect of antibiotics, Cu, and Zn (PC vs. NC) and level of FP (+7.5, NC, -7.5, -15%; linear and quadratic). From d 0 to 22.5 post-weaning, the NC had reduced BW, ADG, ADFI, and G:F when compared to the PC (P < 0.05). As the level of FP decreased, there were linear increases in BW, ADG, ADFI, and G:F (P < 0.01). In summary, reducing fermentable protein in the diet by using high quality protein sources improved growth performance of nursery piglets.

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