Effect of stocking rate on pig performance in a wean-to-finish production system

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. DeDecker ◽  
M. Ellis ◽  
B. F. Wolter ◽  
B. P. Corrigan ◽  
S. E. Curtis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Randomized Complete Block Design ◽  
Pig Performance ◽  
Feeder Spaces ◽  
Crossbred Pigs ◽  
Daily Gain

Crossbred pigs (n = 1,296) were used in a randomized complete block design to evaluate three stocking rate treatments (22, 27, or 32 pigs pen-1) on growth performance from weaning [5.0 ± 0.01 kg body weight (BW); 15 ± 1 d of age] to 24 wk post-weaning. Floor and feeder spaces per pig were 0.78 m2 and 4.2 cm, 0.64 m2 and 3.4 cm, and 0.54 m2 and 2.9 cm for group sizes of 22, 27, and 32, respectively. During the first 8 wk postweaning there was a tendency for average daily gain (ADG) (511, 505, and 497 g d-1, respectively; P = 0.07) and BW (35.1, 34.7, and 34.3 kg, respectively; P = 0.08) to decrease linearly as stocking rate increased. Moreover, from week 8 to 18, week 18 to 24, and for the overall period (weaning to week 24) both ADG (688, 660, and 635 g d-1 for the overall period, respectively) and BW (121.8, 117.1 and 113.1 kg at week 24, respectively) decreased linearly (P < 0.001) with increasing stocking rate. There were no treatment differences in the coefficient of variation in pig BW within a pen at any stage of the study. Morbidity and mortality rates increased linearly (8.5, 10.2, and 12.7%; P < 0.05) with increasing stocking rate. In conclusion, decreasing group size, thereby increasing floor and feeder space pig-1, reduced morbidity and mortality and increased growth rate after 8 wk post-weaning resulting in heavier pigs at 24 wk post-weaning for the smaller groups. Key words: Pigs, stocking rate, weaning, finishing

scholarly journals Effects of a dietary added formaldehyde-propionic acid blend on feed enterobacteria counts and on growing pig performance and fecal formaldehyde excretion

2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 474-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maicon Sbardella ◽  
Danilo do Prado Perina ◽  
Carla de Andrade ◽  
Flavio Alves Longo ◽  
Valdomiro Shigueru Miyada
Keyword(s):  
Propionic Acid ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Design Experiment ◽  
Growing Pig ◽  
Randomized Complete Block Design ◽  
Pig Performance ◽  
Daily Gain

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a dietary added formaldehyde-propionic acid blend on feed enterobacteria counts and on growing pig performance and fecal formaldehyde excretion. Forty pigs (34.2±1.8kg BW) were used in a randomized complete block design experiment with four treatments, five replications per treatment and two animals per experimental unit (pen). The treatments were: 0.0, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0g of blend kg-1 of feed. No effects (P>0.05) of dietary added blend levels were observed on average daily gain, average daily feed intake and feed:gain ratio during 1 to 14 and 1 to 28 days of experiment. Increasing dietary levels of blend reduced quadratically (P<0.01) total Enterobacteriaceae counts on 1st and 14th day after feed mixing, allowing to estimate, respectively, 2.63 and 3.35g kg-1 (average 2.99g kg-1) as the formaldehyde-propionic acid blend levels with lowest feed Enterobacteriaceae counts. Therefore, formaldehyde-propionic acid blend can reduce and/or control feed Enterobacteriaceae growth. There was no effect (P>0.05) of blend on fecal formaldehyde excretion on the 28th day of the experimental period. Therefore, the addition of dietary formaldehyde-propionic acid blend up to 3.0g kg-1 of feed reduces the Enterobacteriaceae counts until the 14th day after feed mixing, without any effects on growing pig performance and fecal formaldehyde excretion

scholarly journals Nutrient Yield of Brown Hemp and Its Utilization as Protein Source in Concentrate on Brahman×Thai-Native Cattle Performances

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Supreena Srisaikham ◽  
◽  
Pipat Lounglawan ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Feed ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Nutrient Composition ◽  
Feed Resources ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Randomized Complete Block Design ◽  
Nutrient Yield ◽  
Native Cattle ◽  
Daily Gain

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of cutting ages and height on the nutrient composition and yield of brown hemp (BH) in concentrate diets on Brahman×Thai-Native cattle performances. The first experiment was to determine the effects of cutting ages (30, 40 and 50 days) and height (30, 40 and 50 cm) on the nutrient composition and yield of BH. The experiment was a 3×3 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design. This study clearly showed that cutting ages at 50 days had a greater effect on the nutrient composition and yield than at 30 and 40 days, but the cutting heights did not reveal any significant differences in yield. However, the BH cutting for animal feed before plowing, besides improving the soil for green manure, also benefited feed resources. The second experiment was to study the effects of BH meal (BHM) in concentrate on Brahman×Thai-Native cattle performances. Twelve cattle, averaging 252 ± 18 kg body weight and at ages of 16-18 months were stratified randomly and assigned to one of the three feeding treatments. Cattle were fed BHM in different ratios: the treatments were 0, 10, and 20% of BHM, respectively. There were no significant differences in the dry matter intake among the treatments of 0, 10 and 20% of BHM in concentrate rations. For average daily gain, the minimum response observed was a significant difference at the highest level of 20% of BHM. Therefore, 10% of BHM can be used in the concentrate rations for beef cattle.

scholarly journals Supplementation of grazing beef cattle with narasin

2020 ◽  
Vol 55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luiz Guilherme Mezzena Gobato ◽  
Daniel Montanher Polizel ◽  
Marcos Vinícius de Castro Ferraz Júnior ◽  
Alexandre Arantes Miszura ◽  
José Paulo Roman Barroso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Initial Body Weight ◽  
Mineral Supplement ◽  
Protein Supplements ◽  
Randomized Complete Block Design ◽  
Daily Gain ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Supplement Intake

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of narasin inclusion in mineral and protein supplements on the performance and supplement intake of grazing beef yearlings. One hundred and fifty Nellore yearlings with 17.0±0.06 months of age and 219.7±1.62 kg initial body weight (BW) were allocated into 30 experimental units (EUs), with five animals each. The EUs were assigned to 16 paddocks, which were continuously stocked for 28 days, followed by 28 days of rest. A randomized complete block design was used. The experiment lasted 140 days, divided into five periods of 28 days each. The assessed treatments were: control mineral supplement (CON); CON + 1,800 (N1800) or 2,750 (N2750) mg narasin per kilogram of supplement; and protein mineral supplement (PROT) or PROT + 360 mg narasin per kilogram of supplement (PROT 360). The inclusion of narasin in the mineral supplement increased average daily gain (ADG) in the first period and decreased supplement intake in the first, second, and third periods, when compared with the CON treatment. The ADG and supplement intake were similar between the N1800 and N2750 treatments. Narasin has a positive effect on ADG up to 28 days of supplementation and controls mineral supplement intake, without compromising this gain.

scholarly journals Calcium to phosphorus ratio requirement of 26- to 127-kg pigs fed diets with or without phytase1,2

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (10) ◽  
pp. 4041-4052 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carine M Vier ◽  
Steve S Dritz ◽  
Mike D Tokach ◽  
Joel M DeRouchey ◽  
Robert D Goodband ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Consistent Estimate ◽  
Ratio Requirement ◽  
Carcass Yield ◽  
Bone Ash ◽  
Randomized Complete Block Design ◽  
Daily Gain ◽  
Ca:P Ratio ◽  
The Ideal

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of calcium to phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio in diets adequate in standardized total tract digestible (STTD) P on performance of 26- to 127-kg pigs fed diets with or without phytase. Pens of pigs (n = 1,134 in Exp. 1 and n = 1,215 in Exp. 2, initially 26.3 and 25.3 kg) were blocked by body weight (BW) and allotted to treatments in a randomized complete block design. There were 27 pigs per pen with 7 and 9 replicates per treatment in Exp. 1 and Exp. 2, respectively. Treatments were formulated to contain 0.75:1, 1.00:1, 1.25:1, 1.50:1, 1.75:1, and 2.00:1 analyzed Ca:P ratios in Exp. 1, and 0.75:1, 1.00:1, 1.25:1, 1.50:1, and 2.00:1 analyzed Ca:P ratios in Exp. 2. These correspond to a range of 0.96:1 to 2.67:1 and 0.95:1 to 2.07:1 STTD Ca:STTD P ratios in Exp. 1 and Exp. 2, respectively. Experiment 2 diets contained 1,000 phytase units of Ronozyme HiPhos 2500 (DSM Nutritional Products, Inc., Parsippany, NJ) with release values of 0.132% STTD P, 0.144% total Ca, and 0.096% STTD Ca. Diets contained 122% of NRC (2012) STTD P estimates for the weight range across 4 phases. In Exp. 1, increasing Ca:P ratio increased (quadratic, P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI). Feed efficiency (G:F) worsened (quadratic, P < 0.05) at the highest ratio. Hot carcass weight (HCW) and bone ash increased (quadratic, P < 0.05) while carcass yield decreased (linear, P < 0.10) with increasing Ca:P ratio. The maximum responses in ADG, HCW, and bone ash were estimated at 1.38:1, 1.25:1, and 1.93:1 analyzed Ca:P and at 1.82:1, 1.64:1, and 2.57:1 STTD Ca:STTD P, respectively. In Exp. 2, increasing Ca:P ratio increased (quadratic, P < 0.05) ADG and bone ash, and improved G:F (linear, P < 0.05). There was a quadratic increase (P < 0.05) in HCW and decrease in carcass yield (P < 0.10). The maximum responses in ADG, HCW, and bone ash were estimated at 1.63:1, 1.11:1 to 1.60:1, and 1.25:1 analyzed Ca:P and at 1.75:1, 1.28:1 to 1.71:1, and 1.40:1 STTD Ca:STTD P, respectively. Expressing ADG on a STTD Ca:STTD P basis provided a more consistent estimate of the ideal Ca:P ratio among the 2 studies than analyzed Ca to analyzed P ratio. A STTD Ca:STTD P ratio between 1.75:1 to 1.82:1 can be used for 26- to 127-kg pigs that are fed diets adequate in STTD P with or without added phytase to maximize growth rate without reducing bone ash.

scholarly journals PSX-25 Narasin inclusion and levels of forage on performance of feedlot lambs

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 458-459
Author(s):  
Lairana A Sardinha ◽  
Daniel M Polizel ◽  
Alexandre A Miszura ◽  
Arnaldo C Limede ◽  
José P R Barroso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Fasting Period ◽  
Randomized Complete Block Design ◽  
Period Data ◽  
Feedlot Lambs ◽  
Second Period ◽  
Daily Gain

Abstract The objective of this study was to determinate the effects of forage levels and narasin inclusion on the performance of feedlot lambs. Forty-four lambs were allotted in a randomized complete block design, defined by initial body weight (BW), in a 2x2 factorial arrangement. The first factor was forage (coastcross hay) inclusion (10 or 20%, DM basis) and the second factor was narasin (0 or 13 ppm). The experimental diets were isonitrogenous (17.4%, DM basis). The experiment lasted 112 days, divided into two periods of 56 d each. The lambs were weighed after a fasting period of 14 hours on days 0, 56, and 112. Average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI) and feed efficiency (FE) were determined in each period. Data were analyzed as repeated measures over time using the MIXED procedure of SAS and the LSMEANS option was used to obtain the means. The effects were considered significant when P &lt; 0.05. There was no interaction between forage levels and narasin inclusion. Narasin did not affect the DMI, ADG, and FE. There was hay levels and period interaction for DMI and ADG. Increase levels of hay did not affect the DMI during the first period; however, 20% of hay inclusion increased DMI in the second period (1.16 vs 1.30 kg/d; P = 0.01). The inclusion of 10% of hay increased the ADG in the first period (0.28 vs 0.24 kg/d; P &lt; 0.01), however, there was no effect in the second period. Consequently, 10% of forage inclusion increased the FE (0.23 vs 0.21; P = 0.01). In summary, diets containing 10% of forage improves the FE, and narasin inclusion did not affect the lamb’s performance.

scholarly journals 450 Late-Breaking: Effects of bedding on feedlot receiving phase growth performance in beef steers during the winter in eastern South Dakota

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 141-142
Author(s):  
Dathan Smerchek ◽  
Zachary K Smith
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
South Dakota ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Beef Steers ◽  
Phase Growth ◽  
Randomized Complete Block Design ◽  
Daily Gain

Abstract Two-hundred and forty English × Continental beef steers (initial BW=365 kg [SD 22.5]) were used in a randomized complete block design to evaluate the effects of bedding application during a 36 d feedlot receiving phase on growth performance and efficiency during winter. Steers were allotted to 30 pens (n = 8 steers/pen) at the Ruminant Nutrition Center in Brookings, SD and pens were assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: 1) No bedding applied (NO) or 2) 1.8 kg (as-is basis) of wheat straw bedding/steer/d (BED). Due to the logistics of acquiring, weighing, and timely feeding of steers, the first 9 pen replicates began on test 14 d prior (begin: January 15, 2019 and end: February 20, 2019) to the last 6 pen replicates (begin: January 29, 2019 and end: March 6, 2019). Pen was the experimental unit; an α of 0.05 determined significance. Daily ambient temperature (n = 50) averaged -14.7°C [SD 5.63] and wind-chill (n = 50) averaged -17.7°C [SD 6.40]. Initial BW (365 vs. 365 ± 0.5 kg) and dry matter intake (8.19 vs. 8.22 ± 0.047 kg) did not differ (P ≥ 0.57) between NO and BED. End BW was greater for BED (P = 0.01; 419 vs. 402 ± 1.09 kg) compared to NO. Steers from BED had increased average daily gain (P = 0.01) by 48.0% and gain:feed (P = 0.01) by 49.2% over NO. Using tabular ingredient energy values and observed steer performance shrunk 4%, relative adjustments to metabolic rate were calculated. Estimated metabolic rate was elevated (P = 0.01) for NO (0.146 vs. 0.104 ± 0.0032 Mcal/BW0.75, kg). Bedding improves feedlot receiving phase growth and efficiency in eastern South Dakota during the winter. Under the environmental conditions of this experiment, steers have a 40.4% increased metabolic rate when bedding is not used and steers in bedded pens had a 35.1% increase in metabolic rate compared to (0.077 Mcal/BW0.75, kg).

scholarly journals Effect of bambermycin and dietary distillers grains concentration on growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing steers1

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-101
Author(s):  
Zachary K Smith ◽  
Grant I Crawford ◽  
Erik R Loe
Keyword(s):  
Liver Abscess ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Feed Additives ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Distillers Grains ◽  
High Moisture ◽  
Randomized Complete Block Design ◽  
Daily Gain

Abstract An experiment was conducted comparing medicated feed additives (MFA) bambermycin or monensin sodium and tylosin phosphate in feedlot diets containing modified distillers grains (mDGS). Crossbred steers (n = 256; initial full BW 418 ± 28.5 kg) were allocated into three weight blocks in a randomized complete block design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The factors were: MFA (bambermycin at 20 mg/steer daily or monensin + tylosin at 380 and 90 mg/steer daily, respectively) and mDGS inclusion (15% and 30% of diet DM). Twenty-four pens were utilized, resulting in six replications per treatment. Steers were fed a diet consisting of a 1:1 combination of dry-rolled and high-moisture corn with the roughage portion of the diet consisting of corn silage and corn stover. Steers in the heaviest two blocks were marketed after 104 d and steers in the lightest block were marketed after 126 d. Overall average daily gain (ADG) tended (P = 0.08) to be greater for bambermycin vs. monensin and tylosin, and was not affected (P = 0.17) by mDGS level. Dry matter intake was lower (P ≤ 0.05) with 30% mDGS with monensin and tylosin than with any other treatment. Feed efficiency was not affected by mDGS, MFA, or their interaction (P ≥ 0.30). Marbling scores were greater (P = 0.01) greater for bambermycin vs. monensin and tylosin, and tended (P = 0.08) to be greater with 15% mDGS than with 30% mDGS. Carcasses from steers fed bambermycin had a greater percentage of USDA choice than those fed with monensin and tylosin (P = 0.01). Liver abscess occurrence was not affected (P ≥ 0.17) by MFA, mDGS, or their interaction. Results from this experiment indicate that including bambermycin in feedlot diets containing 30% mDGS results in increased DMI when compared with including monensin and tylosin in 30% mDGS diet without the risk for increases in liver abscess occurrence.

scholarly journals Growth, performance, and carcass characteristics of feedlot Holstein steers fed ractopamine hydrochloride1

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-117
Author(s):  
Cathy L Lockard ◽  
Chris J Richards ◽  
Caleb G Lockard ◽  
Maggie Youngers ◽  
Mariah A Woolsoncroft ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Feed Ratio ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Feedlot Performance ◽  
Randomized Complete Block Design ◽  
Growth Promoting ◽  
Daily Gain

Abstract Growth-promoting technologies such as implants, ionophores, and β-agonists improve feedlot performance, efficiency, and carcass characteristics of cattle. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of dose and duration of ractopamine hydrochloride (RH) on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics when fed to Holstein steers. A randomized complete block design was used with a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments with 3 RH doses (0, 300, or 400 mg∙steer−1∙d−1) fed for 3 durations (28, 35, or 42 d). Holstein steers (n = 855; initial body weight [BW] = 448 ± 37 kg) were blocked by BW and randomly allocated to 1 of 9 pens (15 blocks; 9 dose × duration treatment combinations) approximately 72 d before harvest. Weekly pen weights, chute temperament scores, and animal mobility were determined during the RH feeding period. At harvest, carcass data were collected on all steers, and tenderness was measured on steaks from 3 or 4 randomly selected steers from each pen and slice shear force (SSF) was determined on one steak selected from each side of the carcass after aging for 14 or 21 d. For feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and SSF, no dose × duration interactions were observed (P ≥ 0.11). With increasing RH dose, average daily gain (ADG) and gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) increased linearly (P ≤ 0.01), whereas BW gain increased linearly with RH dose and duration (P ≤ 0.01). Hot carcass weight (P = 0.02) and longissimus muscle (LM) area (P ≤ 0.01) increased linearly with increasing RH dose. The percentage of carcasses in the USDA Yield Grade 2 category increased linearly (P ≤ 0.01) and percentage of carcasses in the USDA Yield Grade 4 category tended (P = 0.08) to decrease linearly as RH dose increased. In the 14-d aged steaks, the percentage of steaks with SSF ≤ 15.3 kg decreased linearly (P ≤ 0.01), whereas the percentage of steaks with ≥20.0 kg SSF increased linearly (P ≤ 0.01) with increasing RH dose. After 21-d aging, there was a tendency (P = 0.06) for a greater percentage of steaks from steers fed RH to have SSF ≥ 20.0 kg (2% of total steaks), but no difference (P ≥ 0.12) in the percentage of steaks with SSF ≤ 19.9 kg. Final chute temperament (P ≥ 0.45) and animal mobility (P ≥ 0.67) scores were not affected by feeding RH. Increasing the dose of RH (300 or 400 mg∙steer−1∙d−1) fed for 28 to 42 d before harvest increased ADG, G:F, hot carcass weight, and LM area when fed to Holstein steers with no negative effects on behavior or mobility. The percentage of steaks classified as not tender improved when steaks were aged for 21 d from steers treated with RH.

scholarly journals PSXIV-28 Performance of lambs of sheep fed diets containing narasin

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 447-447
Author(s):  
Rhaissa Garcia de Assis ◽  
Janaina S Biava ◽  
Nathalia R Eckermann ◽  
Thamires U Sturion ◽  
Terezinha T de Souza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Milk Replacer ◽  
Sugarcane Molasses ◽  
Randomized Complete Block Design ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Daily Gain

Abstract The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effects of increasing levels of narasin in the diet of lactating ewes on dry matter intake (DMI) and average daily gain (ADG) of their lambs. Forty crossbred ewes Dorper x Santa Inês with their lambs were assigned to a randomized complete block design (10 blocks and 4 treatments). The treatments were defined by the inclusion of narasin to a base diet (16.8 ± 0.66 of CP) containing 50% of concentrate and 50% of Brachiaria brizanta hay, as follow: 0N - control diet; 13N - 13 mg of narasin/kg of DM; 20N - 20 mg of narasin/kg of DM; 27N - 27 mg of narasin/kg of DM. The experiment lasted from 14 to 70 days of lactation. From the second to the tenth week of age the lambs received initial concentrate (57.0% corn; 25.0% soybean meal; 1.5% limestone; 1.5% of mineral mix; 5.0% of sugarcane molasses and 10% of milk replacer; composition: DM=89.3%; CP = 21.1%; FDN = 8.9%; FDA=2.7%) (ad libitum) in a private feeder. All data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. The lambs were weighed weekly after 5-hours fasting. The orts were quantified weekly to determine the DMI. There was no effect of the supply of narasin to the ewes on the DMI by the lambs (0N = 0.126; 13N = 0.088; 20N = 0.153; 27N = 0.145 kg/d; P &gt; 0.05). However, the supply of narasin decreased the ADG (0N = 269.3; 13N = 259.60; 20N = 264.02; 27 = 228.01 g; P &lt; 0.01) of lambs. In conclusion, the use of narasin for the ewes did not benefit lamb performance.

scholarly journals PSXIII-17 Impact of Ambitine® Feed Additive on late finishing pig growth performance: A meta-analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 472-472
Author(s):  
Benjamin Bass ◽  
Stacie Crowder ◽  
Murali Raghavendra Rao
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Feed Additive ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Pig Performance ◽  
Daily Gain

Abstract Ambitine Feed Additive (AMB), a proprietary blend of phytogenics and acidifiers (PMI, Arden Hills, MN), is formulated to help mitigate late finishing stress in pigs. Several studies using AMB in the late finishing period resulted in improved pig performance. A meta-analytic method used 13 studies (3 studies with ractopamine and 10 studies without) to determine the overall impact of AMB on average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and feed conversion. The combined data were considered a randomized complete block design. Analysis of variance was completed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS (9.4; Cary, NC) and least squares means were compared using Fisher’s least significant difference (P &lt; 0.05). In the analysis of 10 studies with no added ractopamine (73 pens/treatment of 5 to 10 pigs/pen and 48 pens/treatment of 17 to 20 pigs/pen), pigs provided AMB had higher average daily gain (0.90 vs 0.86 kg/d; P &lt; 0.05), increased average daily feed intake (2.99 vs 2.94 kg/d; P &lt; 0.05), and improved feed efficiency (0.30 vs 0.29 kg gain/kg feed intake; P &lt; 0.05) compared to pigs fed control diets. Additionally, when pigs were provided AMB in addition to ractopamine (3 studies; 33 pens/treatment of 18 to 22 pigs/pen), average daily gain was increased 4.7% (1.206 vs 1.152 kg/d; P &lt; 0.05) and feed efficiency was improved 5.3% (0.40 vs 0.38 kg gain/kg feed intake; P &lt; 0.05) compared to pigs provided only ractopamine, with no difference in feed intake. Pigs provided AMB in addition to ractopamine had increased hot carcass weight and dressing percentage (P &lt; 0.05) compared to those provided ractopamine alone. In conclusion, providing AMB to pigs in late finishing improved ADG and feed efficiency and the improvement was maintained when ractopamine was included in the diets.

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