• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.681-685
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• 2000

A computer software was developed in our laboratory to automatically control the pigs environment by the image analysis system (IAS), which monitors and analyzes the pig's behavior and feeds the results back to the computer hardware. Three feeding trials were conducted with growing pigs ($L{\times}Y$) to test the effectiveness of the IAS under various seasons. In all three trials, the open-sided conventional pens with half-slatted floor were used as controls; for the IAS treatment, fully-slatted floors were used in the windowless pens. Experiment 1 was conducted in the winter for 30 d with 24 growing pigs. There were two treatments (Conventional vs. IAS), and three pens (replicates) per treatment. During the growing period, the feed efficiency was significantly (p<0.05) improved by the IAS. In addition, the pigs reared under the IAS during the growing period displayed better growth rate during the finishing period than did the pigs reared under the conventional conditions. Experiment 2 was conducted in the summer for 30 d with 24 growing pigs. The experimental design was the same as Experiment 1. During the finishing period, all the pigs were kept in conventional open-sided pens until their market weights to evaluate their carcass characteristics. During the growing period, the growth rate and feed efficiency of the pigs in the IAS was better than those of the control pigs. In addition, various carcass characteristics were significantly improved by the IAS rearing during the growing period. Experiment 3 was conducted with 30 growing pigs for 30 d in the spring. The experimental design was the same as Experiment 1. No difference was found in growing performance between the control and IAS pigs. It could be concluded that the IAS is effective in providing optimum conditions for the growing pigs in summer and winter seasons. In addition, providing an optimum environment during the growing period results in improved growth rate, feed efficiency, and carcass qualities for the finishing pigs.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.531-537
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• 2022

This study evaluated the effects of dehulled lupin kernel (DLK) supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine, fecal microbiota and fecal noxious gas emission in growing pigs. A total of 108 growing pigs (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc) with an average initial body weight (IBW) of 24.49 ± 3.2 kg were allocated to one of three dietary treatments (5, 10, and 20 % DLK) according to sex and BW in a randomized complete block design for 6 wk. Each dietary treatment consisted of 9 replication pens with 4 pigs per pen (2 gilts and 2 borrows). The results show that there were no significant differences in growth performance and nutrient digestibility among the treatments (p > 0.05). However, pigs fed the DLK20 diet had a higher BUN compared with those fed the DLK10 diet (p < 0.05). No effects were observed on the fecal microbiota and fecal noxious gas emission among the treatments. In conclusion, the inclusion of 20% DLK had no adverse effects on the performance in growing pigs.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.313-320
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• 2020

This research was performed to investigate the hypothesis that dietary mono-component protease (PRO) might improve growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing pigs. A total of eighty-four pigs [Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire), 25.3 ± 2.16 kg initial body weight] were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments (7 replicates/treatment; 2 barrows and 2 gilts/replicate) in a randomized complete block design (block = sex). The dietary treatments were prepared as follows; (1) a positive control (PC) as a typical growing-finishing diet based on corn and soybean meal, (2) PC added with 0.015% of PRO (PCPRO), and (3) a negative control (NC) added with 0.015% of PRO (NCPRO). The NC had a lower concentration of crude protein (CP) compared with PC. The PRO was a commercial product that contained 75,000 protease units/g and derived from Nocardiopsis prasina produced in Bacillus licheniformis. Dietary treatments were offered to pigs during growing and finishing periods. Measurements were growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, and carcass characteristics. The PCPRO and/or NCPRO increased average daily gain (ADG) and gain to feed ratio (G:F) during growing (p < 0.10), finishing (p < 0.05), and growing-finishing periods (p < 0.10) compared with PC. Furthermore, pigs fed PCPRO and NCPRO had higher (p < 0.05) ATTD of CP and energy during growing and/or finishing periods than those fed PC. In conclusion, the supplementation of PRO in diets improved growth performance and protein digestibility of growing-finishing pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 1998

Four feeding trials with 260 pigs were conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementing the diet with different amino acids on growth performance and blood metabolites for weanling, growing and finishing pigs. One hundred twenty weanling pigs (Exp. 1, BW 8 kg), eighty growing pigs (Exp. 2. BW 20 kg), thirty growing pigs (Exp. 3, BW 29 kg) and thirty finishing pigs (Exp. 4, BW 50 kg) were randomly allotted to different dietary treatments according to sex and body weight. Pigs weight and feed consumption were measured at initiation and termination of each trial with 4 weeks. At the end of trial, blood samples from three pigs selected in each pen (Exp. 1) and each pig (Exp. 2) were obtained to determine the level of blood urea nitrogen, glucose, insulin and cortisol in the serum. In Exp. 1, pigs fed diet supplemented both with lysine and methionine had the best feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05), but no significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in ADG and ADFI. Pigs receiving control diet obtained the obtained the optimal ADG (p < 0.05), ADFI (p < 0.05) and F/G for the whole period. No differences were detected in serum glucose, insulin and cortisol concentrations. In Exp. 2, pigs receiving the control diet exhibited the lowest serum urea nitrogen (p < 0.05), ADG, F/G and serum insulin concentration increased linearly (p < 0.05) with the inclusion of lysine, methionine, threonine and tryptophan in diets. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were detected for glucose and cortisol content in pigs serum among dietary treatments. In Exp. 3 and 4, pigs growth rate increased linearly (p < 0.01), and feed conversion efficiency was also improves by addition of lysine, methionine, threonine and tryptophan. In conclusion, pigs fed diets supplemented with lysine, methionine, threonine and tryptophan together obtained optimal growth performance in growing and finishing periods.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.597-604
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• 2020

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of zinc aspartic acid chelate (Zn-ASP) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, fecal microbial and fecal gas emission in growing pigs. Methods: A total of 160 crossbred ([Landrace×Yorkshire]×Duroc) growing pigs with an initial body weight (BW) of 25.56±2.22 kg were used in a 6-wk trial. Pigs were randomly allocated into 1 of 4 treatments according to their sex and BW (8 replicates with 2 gilts and 3 barrows per replication pen). Treatments were as follows: i) CON, basal diet, ii) TRT1, CON+0.1% Zn-ASP, iii) TRT2, CON+0.2% Zn-ASP, and iv) TRT3, CON+0.3% Zn-ASP. Pens were assigned in a randomized complete block design to compensate for known position effects in the experimental facility. Results: In the current study, BW, average daily gain, and gain:feed ratio showed significant improvement as dietary Zn-ASP increased (p<0.05) in growing pigs. Apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter was increased linearly (p<0.05) in pigs fed with Zn-ASP diets. A linear effect (p<0.05) was detected for the Zn concentration in blood with the increasing levels of Zn-ASP supplementation. Lactic acid bacteria and coliform bacteria were affected linearly (p<0.05) in pigs fed with Zn-ASP diets. However, no significant differences were observed in the ATTD of nitrogen, energy and Zn. And dietary Zn-ASP supplementation did not affect fecal ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and total mercaptans emissions in growing pigs. Conclusion: In conclusion, dietary supplementation with Zn-ASP of diet exerted beneficial effects on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles and fecal microbes in growing pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.249-254
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• 1998

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of processing of barley on the growth performance and ileal and fecal digestibility of growing pigs. In Exp. 1, a total of 20 cannulated pigs (10.80 kg BW) were allotted to four treatments. Treatments were coarse ground barley as a control (CON), finely ground barley (FINE), extruded barley (EXT) and enzyme supplemented coarse ground barley (ENZ). In Exp. 2, a total of 100 growing pigs (36.50 kg BW) were allocated to the same treatments in completely randomized block design based on sex and body weight. In the first trial, pigs fed extruded barley showed significantly higher crude protein digestibility over pigs fed finely ground barley (p < 0.05). Pigs fed finely ground barley generally showed lower nutrients digestibility. Extrusion and ${\beta}$-glucanase supplementation showed a trend to improve nutrients digestibility. However, fine grinding rather reduced nutrients digestibility. The similar trend was found in the digestibility of essential amino acids. Fine grinding of barley significantly reduced amino acids digestibility. Extrusion and enzyme supplementation were found to improve amino acids digestibility of barley in growing pigs. In the growth trial, pigs fed extruded barley grew significantly faster than any other processed barley fed pigs. And extrusion of barley significantly improved feed/gain of pigs (p < 0.05). Fine grinding of barley and enzyme supplementation did not improve growth performance of pigs. In conclusion, fine grinding and enzyme supplementation does not appear to be an economical feed processing for growing pigs when barley is employed in the diets, while extrusion can be recommended as an effective feed processing technique for barley.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.349-356
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• 2023

Garlic powder (GP) was supplemented in the diet to assess the growth efficiency, nutritional retention, and fecal score of growing pigs. In total, 80 growing pigs ([Yorkshire × Landrace] × Duroc) were arbitrarily allotted (22.04 ± 0.56 kg primary average body weight) to two different trial groups with eight repetitions (three males and two females) in each pen for the 42-day trial. The dietary treatment consisted of control (CON, basal diet), which included 0.2% GP (TRT1). Growing pigs fed the GP diet exhibited an increase (p < 0.05) in body weight on day 42 and a lower (p < 0.05) overall feed conversion ratio compared to the CON pigs; however, the average daily gain and feed intake showed no difference (p > 0.05). Additionally, nutrient utilization of dry matter was greater (p < 0.05) in the GP-supplemented diet group than in the CON group. The feeding methods did not adversely affect the nitrogen and energy utilization and the fecal score significantly (p > 0.05). In summary, growing pigs fed the GP diet showed increased growth and nutritional utilization, and no adverse impact on the fecal score; thus, it could be utilized as a stimulant for improved growth performance.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.347-354
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• 2015

This study evaluated whether dietary supplementation of tapioca could alleviate the negative effects of palm kernel meal (PKM) on growth performance and meat quality in growing and finishing pigs. In experiment 1, 120 73-dold crossbred growing pigs [$(Yorkshire{\times}Landrace){\times}Duroc$], with an average body weight of $31.7{\pm}4.5kg$, were used in a 3-week trial. In experiment 2, 120 108-d-old crossbred finishing pigs [$(Yorkshire{\times}Landrace){\times}Duroc$], with an average BW of $52.6{\pm}4.2kg$ were used in a 10-week trial. Treatments were: CON, a corn-soybean meal-based diet; PKM, 8% PKM, and TPKM, 8% PKM and 10% tapioca. No difference was observed in growth performance or meat quality among treatments in growing pigs. In finishing pigs, no difference was observed in growth performance or meat quality among CON and TPKM dietary treatments. Finishing pigs fed PKM decreases in final BW and ADG compared with those fed CON. Meat quality was not affected by dietary treatments. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of tapioca alleviated anti-nutritional effect of PKM on growth performance in growing and finishing pigs. Thus, the PKM with tapioca could be an available alternative energy source to reduce the cost of pig diets.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.10
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• pp.1584-1595
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• 2023

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a low-protein diet on growth performance, carcass traits, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, and odor emissions in growing-finishing pigs. Methods: A total of 126 crossbred pigs ([Yorkshire×Landrace]×Duroc) with an average body weight (BW) of 38.56±0.53 kg were used for a 14-week feeding trial. Experimental pigs were allotted to one of 6 treatments in 3 replicates of 7 pigs per pen in a randomized complete block design. Pigs were fed each treatment diet with different levels of crude protein (CP). Phase 1 (early growing): 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%; phase 2 (late growing): 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%; phase 3 (early finishing): 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%; phase 4 (late finishing): 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%. All experimental diets in each phase were contained the same concentration of lysine (Lys), methionine (Met), threonine (Thr), and tryptophan (Trp). Results: Over the entire experimental period, there was no significant difference in BW, average daily feed intake, and gain-to-feed ratio among all treatments (p>0.05), but a quadratic effect (p = 0.04) was observed in average daily gain (ADG) during the late finishing phase with higher ADG in Group D. Blood urea nitrogen concentration linearly increased with an increase in dietary CP levels (p<0.01). Regarding nutrient digestibility, excreted nitrogen in urine and feces and nitrogen retention linearly increased as the CP level increased (p<0.01). A linear effect was observed with increasing CP levels in amines, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide in odor emissions (p<0.01). No significant effects were observed in the measurements of carcass traits and meat characteristics (p>0.05). Conclusion: In phase feeding, reducing the CP level to 14% in early-growing pigs, 13% in late-growing pigs, 12% in early-finishing pigs, and 11% in late-finishing pigs is recommended.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.163-170
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• 2022

This study investigates the effects of the dietary inclusion of zinc oxide (ZnO) on the growth performance, apparent total digestibility, and the fecal scores of growing pigs fed a corn-wheat-based diet. In total, 84 crossbred (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc) growing pigs with an initial body weight of (20.86 ± 0.64 kg) (4 pigs·pen^-1; 2 gilts and 2 barrows; 7 replications·treatment^-1) were randomly assigned to three treatment groups based on body weight (BW) and sex in a three-week trial. The dietary treatments were as follows: TRT1 (CON [basal diet]), TRT2 (CON + 0.07% ZnO), and TRT3 (CON + 1% ZnO). Dietary ZnO supplementation significantly (p < 0.05) improved body weight gain (BWG) of growing pigs at weeks 2 and 3 compared to the control diet. In addition, dietary ZnO supplementation significantly (p < 0.05) increased the average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) at weeks 2, 3, and overall. However, the feed conversion ratio (FCR) remained unaffected throughout the trial. Regarding the total tract nutrient digestibility of nitrogen, dry matter was significantly improved with an increased level of ZnO supplementation. In addition, dietary supplementation of ZnO significantly reduced fecal scores in grower pigs at the initial period compared to the control diet. In summary, dietary inclusion of zinc oxide via supplementation improved growth performance, and total tract digestibility and reduced the fecal scores of growing pigs.