scholarly journals Identifying Suitable Supplements to Improve Piglet Survival during Farrowing and Lactation

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2912
Author(s):  
Tobias Threadgold ◽  
Emma Catharine Greenwood ◽  
William Van Wettere

Piglet mortality during parturition and prior to weaning is an ongoing economic and welfare issue. This review collates the current literature describing the effects of specific dietary supplements on key parameters affecting piglet survival. Four distinct parameters were identified as having a direct impact on the survival of piglets to weaning: stillbirth rate, birth weight and weight variation, daily gain and weaning weight, and colostrum and milk quality. In the primary stage, relevant literature from the past 5 years was reviewed, followed by a secondary review of literature older than 5 years. The focal parameters benefitted from different supplements. For example, stillbirth may be reduced by supplements in late gestation, including forms of arginine, alpha-tocopherol-selenium, uridine, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast culture, whereas average daily gain and weaning weight were related closely to supplements which improved colostrum and milk quality, most commonly fats and fatty acids in the form of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, soybean oil, and fish oil, and polysaccharides, such as ginseng polysaccharide. Therefore, an effective supplement plan for piglet mortality reduction must consider the circumstances of the individual system and target one or more of the highlighted parameters.

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 304-304
Author(s):  
Matthew D Garcia ◽  
Madelyn Kunzler ◽  
Kim Chapman

Abstract This study evaluated changes in performance of bulls enrolled in the Utah Beef Improvement Association’s (UBIA) annual performance tests conducted in accordance with central bull test standards established by the Beef Improvement Federation. Breeds with over 500 bulls enrolled over the period of 2004 to 2018 were included in the evaluation. The breeds with greater than 500 animals evaluated included the Angus, Red Angus, Hereford and Simmental Breeds. Traits evaluated included birth weight, initial weight, a 205-day adjusted weaning weight, final test weight, average daily gain, adjusted yearling weight, and weight per day of age. The mixed model procedure of SAS and interval regression analyses were utilized to evaluate the yearly rate of change for each breed and to determine if that rate of change was significantly different (P < 0.05) between the evaluated breeds. When evaluating all breeds represented across years, significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed for rate of change when evaluating birth weight and 205-day adjusted weaning weight. However, no differences were observed between breeds with more than 500 animals represented. Significant differences (P < 0.05) for rate of change were observed when comparing the top four represented breeds, for average daily gain, initial test weight, final test weight, adjusted yearling weight and weight per day of age. Specifically, a declining trend was noted for all breeds when evaluation all significant traits. When evaluating the previously described traits, the Angus breed was significantly different in its rate of decline when compared to the Red Angus and Hereford breeds. The lone increasing trend was observed in the Hereford breed which had a positive increasing trend for initial test weight which was significantly different (P < 0.05) from both the Angus and Red Angus breeds but not significantly different from the Simmental breed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (11) ◽  
pp. 2071
Author(s):  
Mohsen Mohammadi Gheisar ◽  
Jin Young Cheong ◽  
Pinyao Zhao ◽  
In Ho Kim

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dietary inclusion of phytogenic blends on the performance of sows during the gestating and lactating periods and suckling piglets. Fifty-one multiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were randomly distributed into three treatments (17 sows per treatment): T1 (basal diet); T2 (T1 + 0.05% AC blend (Astragalus membranaceus and Chinese Liquorice); T3 (T1 + 0.05% SL blend (Scutellaria baicalensis and Lonicera japonica). Feeding the sows with diets supplemented with AC and SL blends decreased (P < 0.05) bodyweight loss after farrowing to weanling. The number of piglets, average daily feed intake, backfat thickness, and oestrus interval was not influenced (P > 0.05) by diets. Suckling piglets of sows fed with AC and SL blends showed higher (P < 0.05) weanling bodyweight and average daily gain weight. Piglet survival rate and birthweight were not affected by treatments. Feeding sows with AC and/or SL blends did not significantly influence the composition of colostrum or milk. There was not any significant impact on faecal score of suckling piglets. These results indicated that supplementation of phytogenic blends to the diet of sows during gestating and lactating period led to a decline in bodyweight loss after farrowing and could improve litter performance.


1976 ◽  
Vol 16 (80) ◽  
pp. 325 ◽  
Author(s):  
IP Gregory ◽  
EM Roberts ◽  
JW James

Several methods of correcting lamb weaning weight for age were compared. Lambs were weighed at birth, at 90 � 1 day of age, when the oldest and when the youngest lamb was 90 days and when the average age of lambs was 90 days. Weights were adjusted to 90 days by the methods of regression, regression pooled within sire groups, average daily gain with and without a standard birth weight and weight per day of age. All the correction methods examined gave similar results and there was no significant difference between methods. The correlations between the actual 90-day weight and the adjusted weights ranged from 0.922 to 0.960 and were highest when the weights taken when the average age of lambs was 90 days were used as the basis for adjustment. All adjusted weights were significantly biased as estimates of actual 90-day weight, but the bias was least for weights when average age was 90 days.


1968 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. H. Osman ◽  
Y. Rizgalla

SUMMARYThree years' data on a herd of Sudanese cattle were used to study the influence of sex and sire on their growth from birth to 1 year of age. The traits studied included body weights at birth, weaning and yearling ages, and body measurements at birth and weaning age. Analysis of variance indicated no significant sex by sire interactions. Male calves had significantly (P < 0.01) heavier birth, weaning and yearling weights and faster pre-weaning average daily gain than female calves. There were no statistically significant differences between sexes in post-weaning gain or body measurements. The sire effects were highly significant (P < 0.01) for birth and yearling weights and postweaning average daily gain, but not for weaning weight and pre-weaning average daily gain. Sire effects were also significant (P < 0.05) for height at withers and heart girth at birth and weaning age and for body length at weaning age. The heritability estimates of birth and yearling weights and post-weaning gain were relatively high, whereas the heritability estimates of weaning weight and pre-weaning gain were low.


1995 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 1231 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Hearnshaw ◽  
PF Arthur ◽  
D Johnston ◽  
PD Stephenson

Pre-weaning growth of 482 Angus, Charolais and Hereford sired progeny out of straightbred Hereford (H x H) , and first-cross Brahman x Hereford (B x H) , Simmental x Hereford (S x H) and Friesian x Hereford (F x H) dams was evaluated. The dams grazed either high, medium or low quality pasture (pre-weaning pasture system) at Grafton, NSW. Progeny of dams from high quality pre-weaning pasture were slaughtered at 281 days of age for the vealer market. The progeny of dams from medium and low quality pre-weaning pastures were evaluated for post-weaning growth on pasture, on commercial properties in temperate NSW. They were slaughtered for either the yearling domestic (both sexes) or heavy export steer markets. Average daily gain (ADG) for the entire pre-weaning period was greater (P < 0.05) for Charolais (845 g/day) than Angus (790 g/day) and Hereford (783 g/day) sired progeny. This resulted in a higher ( P < 0.05) weaning weight of Charolais sired progeny of dams on high or medium quality pre-weaning pasture. On low quality pasture, however, sire breed differences in weaning weight were not significant (P > 0.05). This indicates that adequate nutrition should be provided for Charolais sired progeny to express their higher growth potential. Post-weaning ADG of Charolais sired progeny was higher (P < 0.05) than that of Angus or Hereford sired progeny, resulting in 14 months liveweight (for yearling domestic cattle) of 370, 345 and 345 kg and 27 months liveweight (for heavy export steers) of 635, 585 and 569 kg for Charolais, Angus and Hereford sired progeny respectively. Progeny of B x H dams on medium or low quality pre-weaning pastures had the highest pre-weaning ADG and weaning weight, but the lowest post-weaning ADG. This resulted in 27 months liveweight of 558, 582, 628 and 616 kg for steer progeny from H x H, B x H, S x H and F x H dams respectively.


1977 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 697-703 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. E. SWIERSTRA ◽  
G. W. RAHNEFELD ◽  
R. L. CLIPLEF ◽  
J. H. STRAIN

Age and weight at first observed estrus (puberty) were studied in 471 crossbred heifers produced by inseminating Angus, Hereford, and Shorthorn cows with semen from Charolais, Limousin, and Simmental bulls. Heifers were kept in drylots after weaning and gained an average of 0.68 kg/day. Visual observations and vasectomized bulls fitted with marking harnesses were used for estrous detection. At puberty, the median and mean ages were 336 and 342 days, and the median and mean weights 296 and 305 kg. At puberty, Charolais- and Simmental-sired heifers were about 22 days younger (median age; P < 0.01) than Limousin-sired heifers (324 and 326 vs. 347 days, respectively). Charolais-sired heifers were significantly heavier (median weight) than Limousin- and Simmental-sired heifers (306 vs. 294 and 292 kg, respectively). Heifers from Angus and Hereford dams were about 22 days older (P < 0.01) at puberty than heifers from Shorthorn dams (median 347 and 346 vs. 324 days). Heifers with high preweaning growth rates attained puberty at an earlier age (r = −0.24; P < 0.01). Day of birth within the year had a significant effect on age and weight at puberty; i.e., heifers born early in the calving season were older and heavier at puberty. Weight at puberty was associated with weaning weight (r = 0.61; P < 0.01), birth weight (r = 0.41; P < 0.01), and preweaning average daily gain (r = 0.54; P < 0.01). Calves that were heavy at birth tended to be heavy at weaning, and heavy weaning weights, in turn, were associated with heavy weights at puberty. By 15 mo of age, 99% of all heifers were cycling.


1976 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 791-801
Author(s):  
I. GARNETT ◽  
G. W. RAHNEFELD

Female reproductive performance and pre-weaning survival and growth were examined in a population of swine over 11 generations of selection for post-weaning average daily gain (ADG). Three separate breeding groups were used: (1) a Lacombe (L) line selected each generation for ADG, (2) a Yorkshire control (Y) line, and (3) a crossbred Lacombe × Yorkshire group (LY) generated each generation from the L and Y lines. Breeding group differences were evident for litter size, perinatal mortality, pre-weaning mortality, gestation length, birth weight, pre-weaning average daily gain (PreADG) and weaning weight. Selection did not affect number born, number born alive, number weaned or birth weight. When the values for the L line were expressed as a deviation from the control, pre-weaning mortality showed an increase. The increase appeared to be due to a decrease in the control rather than an increase in the L line. Gestation length showed a negative response to selection. As in the case of pre-weaning mortality, the response appeared to be a reflection of the instability of the control line. Genetic gains in PreADG of 0.004 kg/day/generation were realized in both the L line and LY group. Correspondingly, responses of 0.18 and 0.19 kg/generation were realized for weaning weight in the L line and LY group.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 173-174
Author(s):  
Tumen Wuliji ◽  
Amy Bax ◽  
Liga Wuri ◽  
Luke Wilbers ◽  
Christopher Boeckmann

Abstract Organic production is one of the fastest growing food and agriculture industry. The seasonality of lamb production affects lamb markets and prices, whereas, an out-of-season breeding and organic fall lamb production scheme may enhance product availability and competiveness. Six rams and 100 Katahdin ewes were selected for an out-of-season breeding during April and May of 2017 and 2018, for two production years. Ewes were synchronized for estrus using CIDR® device (EaziBreed™) (12 d) before breeding and fed ‘flushing’ feed for four weeks. Ewes were bred in mixed sire groups for two estrus cycles (35 d). Animals were rotationally grazed and maintained good body condition score (3.0) throughout the seasons at certified organic farm in Missouri. Mean live weight measured monthly from breeding to lambing were 57.8, 60.1, 62.1, 64.7, and 59.3 kg. Eighty nine ewes lambed in fall 2017 giving birth to 121 lambs (136% lambing rate) and eighty eight ewes lambed in 2018 giving birth to 126 lambs (143% lambing rate). Ninety seven percent of weaned lambs were maintained as an organic production status for marketing. Lamb birth weight, average daily gain weight, weaning weight, and 30 d post weaning weight, post weaning average daily gain weight were recorded for 2017 born lambs as 3.74±0.03 kg, 21.00±0.24 kg, 24.78±0.28 kg, 176±2 g/d respectively. Organic weaner lambs were sold for 5 to 15% higher price values (P &lt; 0.05) per unit than non-organic peer groups at a local livestock auction sale.


2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (11) ◽  
pp. 1435
Author(s):  
C. V. R. Oliveira ◽  
J. P. Schoonmaker ◽  
D. R. Casagrande ◽  
O. R. Machado Neto ◽  
V. A. A. Reis ◽  
...  

Context It is hypothesised that the use of processed soybean for feedlot beef cattle improves feed efficiency and produces beef with a better fatty acid profile for human health. Aims This study aimed to evaluate average daily gain, feed efficiency, carcass traits, chemical composition, fatty acid profile and colour in the beef of young bulls fed diets with ground or extruded soybean. Methods A total of 60 young Zebu bulls (Nellore or Nellore crossed with other Zebu breeds) with an average initial liveweight of 320 ± 8.12 kg and an average initial age of 20 ± 2 months were randomly assigned to receive one of the following diets for 84 days: dehulled and defatted soybean meal (3.22% of ether extract), ground soybean (6.51% of ether extract) or extruded soybean (6.37% of ether extract). The fatty acid profiles of these animals were analysed using high-resolution gas chromatography. The CIE L*a*b* colour space model was used to numerically describe the colour during the aging period (0, 7, 14 and 21 days). Key results Diet had no effect on the average daily gain, feed efficiency or carcass traits of the animals (P &gt; 0.05). Protein, ether extract and ash composition of the Longissimus lumborum (LL) muscle were not affected (P &gt; 0.30) by the use of processed soybean grains. The ground soybean diet decreased oleic acid and C18:2 c9, t11 concentrations, but increased C18:2 t10, c12 and trans-octadecenoic acid isomer concentrations in the LL muscle compared with those in the dehulled and defatted soybean meal and extruded soybean diets (P &lt; 0.05). Muscle from bulls fed processed soybean exhibited greater concentrations of stearic acid and saturated fatty acids, and a lower concentration of unsaturated fatty acids, as well as a decreased unsaturated fatty acids:saturated fatty acids ratio (P &lt; 0.05). Processed soybean grains did not affect (P &gt; 0.05) the LL muscle pH or colour. Conclusions The use of ground or extruded soybean did not affect the performance, carcass traits, LL protein, ether extract or ash composition, and had no impact on beef colour compared with the diet containing soybean meal. Processed whole soybeans in the diet did not increase unsaturated fatty acids or conjugated linoleic acid in beef compared with a diet without soybean meal. Implications Up to 20% of ground or extruded soybean in feedlot beef cattle can be used as a replacement for soybean meal and corn.


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