Effect of different dietary fibre sources on the zootechnical performance, feeding behaviour and intestinal physiology of growing and finishing pigs

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different sources of fibre in the diets of fattening pigs on performance, feeding behaviour and intestinal physiology. A total of 60 barrows and gilts (initial body weight 28.4 ± 0.4 kg) were allotted to four dietary treatments: control (CON), lignocellulose (LC), mycelium (MYC) and corn gluten feed (CGF). Diets were calculated to provide balanced available nutrient contents. Including MYC in the diet resulted in an increased average daily gain (P < 0.05) compared to CON and CGF, and improved gain to feed ratio (P < 0.05) compared to LC. Pigs in CON (P < 0.05) ate the fewest but largest meals, whereas treatment CGF (P < 0.05) showed the opposite effect, resulting in the same daily feeder occupation time. Regarding intestinal physiology, in ileum, no differences were observed between the contents of short chain fatty acids (SCFA), lactic acid and biogenic amines. In the colon, MYC showed an increased concentration of acetic acid (P < 0.05) as well as the total content of SCFA (P < 0.05), compared to LC and CGF. Distinct fermentation profiles of ammonia were recorded in ileal and colonic digesta, although contents remained below harmful concentrations. Morphometrical measurements showed differences between the fibre sources LC and MYC, as well as LC and the CON in all investigated gut sections. These results provide evidence that the inclusion of specific dietary fibre sources/contents can positively influence the gut morphology and performance of pigs. However, further studies are needed regarding the mode of action and physico-chemical characteristics of the different fibre sources as a precondition for their successful application in pig diets.

Influence of Phytogenic Feed Additive on Performance of Feedlot Cattle

This study evaluated the influence of a blended phytogenic feed additive on feed intake, feeding behavior, nutrient digestibility, and growth performance during feedlot adaptation, early, and late finishing periods as well as carcass traits. Twenty-six crossbred F1 Angus × Nellore bulls (19 mo ± 4 d) were housed in individually pens and fed a high-forage receiving diet for 7 days. At the end of the receiving period, bulls were weighted [initial shrunk body weight (SBW) 363 ± 20 kg], blocked by SBW and randomly assigned to two treatments; Control: without any additive or PHY: 150 ppm of a phytogenic feed additive fed throughout the adaptation and finishing phases. Bulls were transitioned through four steps over 18 days to a high-grain finishing diet (as % DM, 64% rehydrated corn grain silage, 19% corn gluten feed, 13% sugar cane bagasse and 4% minerals, urea, and vitamins mix). The finishing phase lasted 68 days, with mid-point measurements dividing early and late finishing period. The PHY group DMI was greater during adaptation and late finishing periods (P < 0.05), with a tendency during early finishing period (P = 0.06). Number of daily meals was similar between treatments (P = 0.52), but an increased meal length was noted for PHY group (P < 0.05), which contributed to their greater DMI. Diet digestibility remained similar between groups during the finishing periods (P > 0.1). Ruminitis scores were low and liver abscess similar between treatments. Final SBW tended to be higher (P = 0.09) and hot carcass weight was greater for the PHY group (P < 0.05), with no differences on dressing percentage, ribeye area and marbling score. In conclusion, the PHY treatment had positive effects on intake and carcass weight, without increasing metabolic disorders.

Impact of Feeding Syngenta Enogen® Feed Corn Compared to Control Corn in Different Diet Scenarios to Finishing Beef Cattle

The objective of this pooled statistical analysis was to evaluate Syngenta Enogen® Feed Corn (EFC) versus conventional corn (CON) when fed as either dry-rolled corn (DRC) or high-moisture corn (HMC) for effects on finishing beef cattle performance and carcass characteristics. Corns were evaluated in diets with byproduct inclusion rates of 0, 15, 18, 20, and 30% distiller grains or 25 and 35% Sweet Bran® (a commercial corn gluten feed product). Seven trials (n = 1856) consisting of 200 pen means comparing 26 diet treatments were analyzed using regression in a pooled analysis. When EFC was processed as DRC, the gain efficiency (G:F) improved compared with CON, but the response to feeding EFC decreased from a 4.8% improvement to no improvement compared to CON as distiller grains increased from 0% to 30%, but was significantly improved due to feeding EFC in diets with 0 to 18% distiller grains. Feeding cattle EFC as DRC increased the average daily gain (ADG) and G:F by 4.5% compared with CON corn in diets containing Sweet Bran®. No improvements in animal performance were observed when cattle were fed EFC compared to CON when processed as HMC in any situation. Feeding Enogen® corn improved the gain efficiency of finishing cattle compared with conventional corn when processed as dry-rolled corn and fed in diets with less than 20% distillers or diets that include Sweet Bran®.

PSIV-B-25 Digestible energy and metabolizable energy of high-fiber ingredients in growing pig diets

The objective of this study was to determine the digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) concentrations in high-fiber ingredients fed to growing pigs. Twelve barrows with an initial body weight of 57.5 kg (SD = 5.7) were individually housed in metabolism crates. A replicated 6 × 3 incomplete Latin square design with 12 animals, 6 experimental diets and 3 periods was employed. A basal diet was composed of 75.0% corn and 22.7% soybean meal (SBM) as the sole energy sources. Four experimental diets were prepared by replacing 40% of corn and SBM with soybean hulls (SH), corn gluten feed (CGF), wheat bran (WB), or rice bran (RB). An additional diet was prepared by replacing 10% of corn and SBM with cashew nut hulls (CNH). Each period consisted of a 4-d adaptation period and a 4-d collection period, and the marker-to-marker procedure was used for total collection of feces and urine. The DE and ME values in RB (3,969 and 3,936 kcal/kg DM) were greater (P < 0.05) than those in CGF (2,654 and 2,520 kcal/kg DM) and SH (2,492 and 2,541 kcal/kg DM) and the energy values in WB (3,162 and 3,118 kcal/kg DM) were not different from those in RB, CGF, or SH. The DE and ME values in CNH (350 and 572 kcal/kg DM) were less (P < 0.05) than those in all other test ingredients. In conclusion, energy concentrations in RB were greatest among the high-fiber test ingredients, whereas CNH had the lowest values.

295 Effects of Live Yeast and Ruminal Environment on Beef Cattle Diet Digestibility: An in vitro Approach

The effects of live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and ruminal environment on in vitro true digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and fiber components were evaluated. Ruminally-cannulated beef steers (n = 4; BW = 520 ± 30 kg) were used in a cross-over design to serve as donors of ruminal content. In vitro substrates (6 grower and 6 finisher diets) and individual ingredients (steam-flaked corn, wet corn gluten feed, and old-world bluestem hay) were dehydrated (55o C), ground (1 mm), and incubated using a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: a) the presence or not of yeast (8×109 CFU/animal-daily adjusted to a 70 L ruminal content volume), and b) two ruminal inoculums collected from donors fed a grower (50:50) or a finisher (92:08) diet (concentrate:forage). Four incubation batches (experimental unit) were performed, in which the initial two batches were performed followed by another two after animals switched diets and were adapted again during 21d. A Daisy in vitro incubation system was used, and samples incubated for 48h (39°C). The GLIMMIX procedure of SAS was used for the statistical analysis. No 3-way interactions (P ≥ 0.71) or 2-way interactions with substrate were observed (P ≥ 0.25). The in vitro true digestibility of DM, OM, NDF, and hemicellulose increased when yeast was added to the incubator containing a 50:50 ruminal content (Rumen × Yeast; P ≤ 0.02). The ADF digestibility increased (P = 0.02) with yeast addition regardless of ruminal content type (50:50 or 92:08). As expected, finisher substrate diets were more (P < 0.01) digestible than grower diets. The combination of live yeast and a specific ruminal environment seemed to be more important than substrate type, in which live yeast improved in vitro digestion within a 50:50 ruminal inoculum more evidently.

272 Effect of Frame Size and Supplementation on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Beef Cattle Finished on Novel Endophyte-infected Tall Fescue Pastures

Objectives were to investigate the effects of frame score (FS) and supplementation on performance and carcass characteristics of cattle finished on novel endophyte-infected fescue pastures. This 2-yr experiment used 80 Angus-sired, crossbred steers and heifers bred for divergent FS. Cattle were allotted to 5 treatments: 1) non-supplemented small frame (S-NON; FS = 3.0 ± 0.9), 2) supplemented small frame (S-SUPP), 3) non-supplemented large frame (L-NON; FS = 4.7 ± 0.6), 4) supplemented large frame (L-SUPP), and 5) grain-based control feedlot ration (CON; FS = 4.2 ± 0.6; target ADG = 1.36 kg/day). Daily rations were delivered individually using Calan gates. Pasture supplement contained corn gluten feed, a commercially available rumen-protected prilled vegetable fat, and dried molasses fed at 0.5% of BW. Treatments started on 7/8/2019 and 5/21/2020, and ended in November of each yr when cattle were slaughtered at a commercial abattoir. Results were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS with main effects of treatment, sire, sex, yr, and yr x treatment, with contrast statements comparing large vs. small frame, pasture supplemented vs. non-supplemented, and control vs. pasture groups. As expected, CON had greater (P < 0.001) growth performance (final BW and ADG) and carcass characteristics (HCW, subcutaneous fat, marbling, dressing percentage (DRESS%) than pasture groups, and tended to have greater (P=0.053) REA. Relative to pasture groups, CON had greater (P < 0.001) Minolta L* and a* lean tissue values, and decreased (P < 0.001) b* values for fat tissue. While non-supplemented cattle had decreased (P = 0.016) yield grades (YG), supplemented cattle had greater (P < 0.050) final BW, ADG, subcutaneous fat, HCW, marbling, and DRESS% compared to non-supplemented cattle. Small framed cattle tender to have decreased (P = 0.056) YG; but, large framed cattle had greater (P = 0.006) HCW, and tended (P = 0.060) to have greater ultrasound subcutaneous fat. Results support low-level supplementation in pasture-finishing systems to improve carcass value.

Low Moisture Anhydrous Ammonia Pretreatment of Four Lignocellulosic Materials—Distillers Dried Grains With Solubles, Corn Gluten Feed, Corn Fiber, and Oil Palm Frond

Lignin and hemicellulose structures in cellulosic materials serve as a barrier for enzyme reactions. A pretreatment step is often needed to break these components to allow the biomass to be utilized as a source of value-added products. Various available pretreatment methods possess common drawbacks of the high amount of liquid and chemical requirements, harsh process conditions, and the high amount of waste produced, which driving up the production costs of bioproducts. Low moisture anhydrous ammonia (LMAA) pretreatment capable of eliminating those drawbacks. In this study, Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS), corn gluten feed (CGF), corn fiber (CF), and oil palm frond (OPF) with different moisture contents were subjected to LMAA pretreatment at the specific ammonia loading rate, 1 h ammoniation, and 75°C incubation temperature. This pretreatment successfully decreased the lignin content of the materials, increased their percentage of α-cellulose, and improved enzymatic digestibility for most of the materials tested. The effect of moisture content (30 and 50% db) was found to be more significant than that of incubation time (24 and 72 h).