• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.1311-1319
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• 2009

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of soybean oil supplementation replacing tallow in pig diets at different stages of growth. One hundred and twenty crossbred (Landrace${\times}$Yorkshire${\times}$Duroc) pigs weighing 18 kg on average were selected. Pigs were randomly allotted to 12 pens of 10 pigs (5 pigs of each sex) each. Three pens were assigned to each of the four treatments: TA; tallow diet, TA-SO-80; switched from tallow to soybean oil diet at 80 kg average body weight, TA-SO-45; switched from tallow to soybean oil diet at 45 kg average body weight, and SO; soybean oil diet. Treatment SO was significantly lower in ADG than tallow diets (TA, TA-SO-80 and TA-SO-45) during the grower period (18 to 45 kg). However, treatment SO showed greatest compensation in ADFI and ADG during the finisher-2 period (after 80 kg body weight). ADFI and ADG and Gain/Feed for the total period were not significantly different among treatments. Loin area, back fat thickness, firmness and melting point of back fat were not significantly different. The levels of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein+very low density lipoprotein cholesterol in serum were significantly lower in treatment SO than in treatments TA-SO-45, TA-SO-80 and TA. The level of serum triglyceride linearly increased as the length of the tallow feeding period increased. Serum immunoglobulin-G (IgG) level was significantly higher in the soybean oiltreatment than in other treatments. Major fatty acid composition of short rib muscle and back fat were significantly influenced by treatments. Contents of ${\alpha}$-linolenic acid (C18:3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6) linearly increased as the soybean oil feeding period increased. In conclusion, soybean oil can be supplemented to the diet of pigs without significant effects on growth performance and carcass characteristics. The level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially $\omega-3$ fatty acids in the carcass was increased by soybean oil supplementation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.1301-1309
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• 2020

Objective: To evaluate the use of nurse sows and post-weaning nutrition strategies for low wean weight (WW) pigs on lifetime growth and efficiency. Methods: Animals (n = 270) were assigned to one of five treatments at 28 d. Low WW pigs (<6 kg) were either weaned and offered a special dietary regime recommended for low WW pigs (WEAN) or placed on a nurse sow (NURSE) and weaned at 49 d. Normal WW pigs (9 kg) (NORM) were also weaned at 28 d. After weaning, NORM and NURSE pigs were offered either a 'high' (4 kg/pig of starter 1 diet followed by 8 kg/pig of starter 2 diet) or 'low' (8 kg/pig of starter 2 diet) starter diet allowance in a 2×2 factorial arrangement. A typical grower diet was then offered, followed by a typical finisher diet until 147 d of age. Results: NORM pigs where heavier throughout their life compared to NURSE pigs (91.4 kg vs 76.2 kg at 147 d; p<0.001). WEAN pigs were heavier at 70 d compared to NURSE pigs (23.9 kg vs 21.0 kg; p<0.001), but there was no significant difference at 147 d between NURSE and WEAN treatments. NURSE pigs had reduced feed intake throughout the finishing period (1.6 kg/d; p<0.001) compared to WEAN (2.0 kg/d) and NORM (1.9 kg/d) pigs. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) of NURSE (2.20) was lower than NORM and WEAN during the finishing period (2.40 and 2.79, respectively). Conclusion: Extended (up to 49 d) nursing for low WW pigs resulted in improved FCR during the finishing period, but no overall improvement in growth rate compared to low WW pigs weaned at 28 d and offered a specialised starter regime. Normal WW pigs where significantly heavier than low WW pigs throughout the study.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1407-1413
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• 2009

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of feather meal (FM) on the performance of pigs and taurine content in pork. A total of 135 cross-bred (L${\times}$Y${\times}$D) pigs, weighing an average 46 kg, were assigned to five dietary treatments; Control, 3% FM supplemented diet (3% FM), 3% FM and 10 ppm pyridoxin supplemented diet (3% FMpyridoxin), 6% FM supplemented diet (6% FM) and 6% FM and 10 ppm pyridoxine supplemented diet (6% FM-pyridoxin). Each treatment had 3 replications of 9 pigs (4 gilts and 5 barrows) each. Pigs were fed for 11 weeks under a phase feeding program which consisted of grower (0-3 week), grow-finisher (4-8 week) and finisher (9-11 week) periods. During the whole feeding period, ADG and ADFI of pigs fed FM treatments tended to increase in general compared to the control. Feed conversion ratio (feed/gain) of the control was significantly (p<0.05) lower than FM treatments. Taurine content of the control was highest in heart muscle (1,393.8 ppm) followed by liver (647.3 ppm), tenderloin (601.2 ppm), ham (462.4 ppm) and loin (375.8 ppm). Taurine contents of heart, tenderloin, ham and loin were significantly (p<0.05) increased by FM treatments. Taurine content was highest in the 6% FM-pyridoxin treatment. Taurine content of heart, tenderloin, ham and loin on 6% FM-pyridoxin supplementation were increased by 91%, 23%, 27% and 29%, respectively, compared with the control. Sensory tests of the pork showed that there was no consistent response among the treatments. In conclusion, supplementation of FM and pyridoxin to a pig diet can increase taurine content of the pork.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.516-524
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• 2014

This study was performed to examine the feasibility of using the low plane of nutrition (LPN) as a means of improving the meat quality of crossbred finishing pigs with a medium weight gain potential. Twenty-four barrows and 24 gilts weighing approximately 48 kg were placed on LPN [a finisher (2.86 Mcal ME/kg and 0.67% lysine) for 91 d] or on a high plane of nutrition [HPN; a commercial grower for 38 d and a finisher (3.35 Mcal ME/kg and 0.9% lysine) for 46 d]. Five barrows and five gilts per treatment weighing approximately 125 kg were slaughtered after the indicated days on the respective diets, followed by physicochemical analysis and sensory evaluation on their muscles. Overall average daily gain was 12.6% less in the LPN group vs. the HPN group (p<0.05). The redness ($a^*$) of fresh longissimus muscle (LM) from the loin as well as from Boston butt was greater in the LPN group vs. HPN whereas the shear force for fresh LM from these primals and semimembranosus muscle was lower in the former. In sensory evaluation for cooked LM, no treatment effect was detected in any of the quality traits examined, except for a lower color score in the LPN vs. HPN group. Results suggest that meat quality of the finishing pigs can be improved to some extent by using LPN. However, the present pigs, whose backfat thickness was 24 mm at 125 kg, are thought not to be lean enough to be fattened over 120 kg.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.1763-1770
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• 2011

Fifty-six [(Duroc${\times}$Yorkshire)${\times}$Landrace] pigs with an average initial BW of 19.3${\pm}$0.17 kg were used in this 15-wk growth experiment to investigate the effects of grape pomace fermented by Saccharomyces boulardii on pig growth performance, nutrient digestibility and quality attributes of pork. Pigs were allotted to 2 dietary treatments (7 replications) based on their initial BW in a randomized complete block design. The experimental treatments were: i) control (CON; basal diet), ii) FGPP (CON+30 g/kg fermented grape pomace product). Dietary FGPP improved (p<0.05) average daily gain (ADG), coefficient apparent total tract digestibility (CATTD) of dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) during 35-70 d of the experiment. Similarly, pigs fed the FGPP supplemented diet had a higher N digestibility (p<0.05) in the finisher phase (day 71-105). Dietary FGPP increased (p<0.05) the marbling score, the redness ($a^*$) and yellowness ($b^*$) values, as well as the anti-oxidative ability (lower TBARS). The inclusion of FGPP reduced palmitic acid (C:16:0), stearic acid (C:18:0), arachidic acid (C:20:0) and SFA levels (p<0.05) in subcutaneous fat. An increased (p<0.05) linoleic acid (C18:2n6), total PUFA and PUFA/SFA ratio were observed in the FGPP group. Dietary FGPP supplementation decreased the arachidic acid (C:20:0) level in longissimus muscle (LM). In conclusion, dietary inclusion of FGPP at the level of 30 g/kg improved the growth performance, nutrients digestibility and altered the fatty acid pattern in the subcutaneous fat as well as some attributes of pork meat.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.361-365
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• 1993

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding fresh cassava roots on the performance and carcass quality of pigs raised from $15{\pm}1kg$ to 85 kg live weight. Fresh unpeeled cassava roots were chopped into chips and offered separately along with a protein concentrate made up of copra cake and meat and bone meal, and a local mineral-vitamin premix. Commercial pig grower and finisher diets served as control. A total of 24 pigs were used in an incomplete randomized split-plot design experiment. Pigs fed fresh cassava-based diet grew as fast, 0.78 vs 0.77 kg/day, and were as efficient, 3.74 vs 3.77 in converting feed into body weight gain as those fed the commercial control diet. Similarly, there were no differences in carcass quality measured in terms of dressing percentage, 77 vs 77; backfat thickness, 2.76 vs 2.78 cm; loin eye muscle area, 29.2 vs $29.1cm^2$ and in the relative proportions of the different carcass cuts between the two dietary treatments. The use of fresh cassava along with the protein and the local mineral-vitamin premix however, resulted in lowered total feed cost and cost per unit of live weight gain. It is concluded that fresh cassava roots can be fed along with copra cake, meat and bone meal protein concentrate and a local mineral-vitamin premix to fattening pigs with no adverse affects on performance and carcass quality.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.233-244
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• 2010

This experiment was conducted to evaluate two different types of feed additive as an alternative for antibiotics on growth performance and feed cost in growing and finishing pigs. One additive is an herb extract, with Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) as the main component, while the other feed additive contains aminolevulinic acid (ALA). In the first experiment, 128 grower pigs were allotted to 4 different treatment groups and replicated 4 times with 8 pigs per replicate; the trial lasted for 28 days. The positive control group (PC) which is the control group supplemented with antibiotics was significantly higher (p<0.05) in growth rate (580.6 g/d) followed by the ALA group (532.0 g/d), there was no significant differences in terms of feed intake and feed efficiency. There were marginal reductions in feed costs measured as feed cost per head in ALA and HE added diet. However, the feed cost per weight gain of ALA treatment was higher than the control group (PC) supplemented with antibiotics. In the second experiment, 80 finisher pigs were allotted to 4 treatment groups and replicated 4 times with 5 pigs per replicate; the trial lasted for 70 days. The treatment group supplemented with an herb extract (HE) had a significantly higher (p<0.05) feed intake (2,415.8 g/d) compared to the other treatment groups, but there was no significant differences in terms of growth rate and feed efficiency. Feed cost per head in HE and ALA treatments were higher than PC treatment, and feed cost per weight gain of HE was higher than PC treat (p<0.05). The results from these experiments suggests that these two types of feed additives can both be used as an alternative for antibiotics without having a negative effect on the performance of the animals. And aminolevulinic acid was good in performance and production cost of grower and finisher pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.1666-1672
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• 2003

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of an alumninosilicate clay, marketed under the trade name Biotite V, to improve growing-finishing pig performance and to determine its effects on nutrient digestibility and excretion. Sixty crossbred pigs (22.3${\pm}2.7kg$, Camborough 15 Line female${\times}$Canabred sire) were assigned on the basis of sex, weight and litter to one of four dietary treatments in a $2{\times}4$ (two sexes and four treatments) factorial design experiment. The experimental diets were based on barley and soybean meal and contained 0, 0.25, 0.5 or 0.75% biotite during the growing period (22.3-60.5 kg) and 0, 0.5, 1.0 or 1.5% biotite during the finishing period (60.5-110.3 kg). Each pig was allowed access to its own individual feeder for 30 min twice daily (07:00 and 15:00 h). Individual pig body weight, feed consumption and feed conversion were recorded weekly. The pigs were slaughtered at a commercial abattoir when they reached an average weight of 110.3 kg. Carcass weight was recorded and dressing percentage calculated. Carcass fat and lean measurements were obtained with a Destron PG 100 probe between the 3rd and 4th last ribs, 70 mm of the midline. Total tract digestibility coefficients for dry matter, energy, nitrogen and phosphorus were determined using three males and three females per treatment starting at an average weight of $52.2{\pm}3.8kg$. These pigs were housed under identical conditions as those used in the growing stage and were fed the same diets modified only by the addition of 0.5% chromic oxide as a digestibility marker. Over the entire experimental period (22.3-110.3 kg), daily gain was unaffected (p>0.05) by the inclusion of biotite in the diet. There was a cubic response for feed intake (p=0.06) and a quadratic response (p=0.07) for feed conversion due to biotite. Feeding biotite produced no significant (p>0.05) linear or quadratic effects on any of the carcass traits measured. Dry matter digestibility decreased linearly (p=0.02) with increasing levels of biotite in the diet. However, digestibility coefficients for energy, nitrogen and phosphorus were unaffected (p<0.05) by biotite inclusion. Lactobacilli and enterobacteria numbers were unaffected by inclusion of biotite while Salmonella was not detected in any of the fecal samples. The overall results of this experiment indicate that biotite inclusion did not reduce fecal excretion of nitrogen or phosphorus and failed to improve nutrient digestibility. Neither growth rate nor carcass quality was improved while a modest improvement in feed conversion was observed at lower levels of inclusion. Based on the results of this experiment, it would be difficult to justify the routine inclusion of biotite in diets fed to grower-finisher pigs. Whether or not a greater response would have been obtained with pigs of a lower health status is unknown.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.102-105
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• 2002

Seventy-two crossbred pigs weighing an average of 41.5 kg were assigned on the basis of sex, weight and litter to one of four dietary treatments in a factorial (4 treatments${\times}$2 sexes) arrangement. The control diet was based on barley and soybean meal while the experimental treatments consisted of diets in which a portion of the dietary protein was supplied by 20% of a 50:50 blend of extruded ($130^{\circ}C$ for 20 to 25 sec) peas and full-fat canola seed, 20% of a 50:50 blend of unextruded peas and full-fat canola seed or a diet containing 10% peas, 6% canola meal and 4% canola oil (to equal the level of canola oil provided by 10% whole canola seed). Digestibility coefficients for dry matter, crude protein and gross energy were significantly higher (p<0.05) for the control diet than for the other three diets. Extrusion produced no beneficial effects (p>0.05) on nutrient digestibility and there were no differences in digestibility between the diet based on intact canola seed compared with the diet containing canola meal and oil. Choice of protein supplement had no significant effects on gain, feed intake or feed conversion during the grower or finisher phases and over the entire experimental period. Extrusion of the pea-canola blend produced no beneficial effects on pig performance as the performance of pigs fed either the extruded or unextruded blend of peas and canola seed was similar. In addition, the performance of pigs fed diets containing intact canola seed was similar to that of pigs fed canola meal and oil. Castrates gained faster and consumed more feed than gilts (p<0.05). However, their feed conversion was poorer than that of the gilts during the finisher period. There were no significant differences in carcass traits between pigs fed the control and any of the experimental treatments. Extrusion had no effect on carcass traits and the carcasses of pigs fed canola meal and oil did not differ from those of pigs fed whole canola seed. Castrates had a significantly lower dressing percentage, lower estimated lean yield but greater loin fat depth than gilts (p<0.05). The results of this experiment indicate that peas in combination with canola seed or canola meal are an acceptable alternative to soybean meal as a protein supplement for use in growing-finishing swine diets. Extrusion did not appear to have any beneficial effects on the nutritional value of the canola seed-pea blend as nutrient digestibility, growth performance and carcass traits were similar for pigs fed the unextruded blend of peas and canola seed compared with the extruded product. Since the process adds to the cost of the raw products, its use is unlikely to be economical.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.37-50
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of on-farm management systems(including the farm size, stocking density of growing-finishing phase, proportion of finisher diet and type of growing-finishing building) and pre-slaughter handling(including the transportation time and loading time) on carcass grade, the incidence of PSE pork, the meat quality score for intra-muscle fat, inter-muscle fat, subcutaneous fat and score for elasticity of market pigs. For this study, 248,787 pigs of 53 different farms were used to establish the pork quality assurance program and to meet the comsumer's need. The results are summarized as follows. 1. The farm size had significant influence on carcass grade, in which showing the higher grade by increasing the farm size. However, the incidence of PSE pork were not significantly differences among the farm size. The meat quality score for intra-muscle fat, inter-muscle fat, subcutaneous fat and score for elasticity of market pigs were not significant influenced by farm size. 2. The stocking density of growing-finishing phase was statistically significant for carcass grade, in which showing the higher grade in mid density group. However, the incidence of PSE pork was higher in high density group. The meat quality score for intra-muscle fat, inter-muscle fat and elasticity of market pigs were greater in mid density groups, but not influenced by stocking density for subcutaneous fat score. 3. The carcass grade and the incidence of PSE pork were not significantly influenced by transportation time. However, transportation time significantly affected the meat quality score, the meat quality score for intra-muscle fat, inter-muscle fat, subcutaneous fat and elasticity of the carcasses were superior in more than 1 hour transportation groups. 4. At any time loading, the carcass grade and PSE incidence were not significantly differences. However, the meat quality score for intra-muscle fat, inter-muscle fat and elasticity of market pigs were superior in before 10 AM groups, but not influenced by loading time for subcutaneous fat score. 5. The proportion of finisher diet had not significant influence on carcass grade, but PSE incidence affected by proportion of finisher diet, 21 percent or more group was higher PSE incidence. The meat quality score for intra-muscle fat and inter-muscle fat of the carcasses were superior in 21 percent or more fed finisher diet groups, but elasticity score of carcass had not influenced by the proportion of finisher diet. 6. The type of growing-finishing building was affected the carcass grade and PSE incidence of the market pigs, carcass grade and PSE incidence were superior in enclosed mechanical ventilation building groups. The meat quality score for intra-muscle fat and inter-muscle fat of the carcasses were not significantly differences by the type of finishing building, but the score of subcutaneous fat and elasticity of carcass were superior in opened natural ventilation building groups. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that we have more precise on-farm management practice and the knowledge related to pre-slaughter handling skills to reduce the stress and improve the status of welfare of market pigs.