• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.31 no.5
• /
• pp.712-720
• /
• 2018

Objective: The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-rich microalgae, Aurantiochytrium limacinum (AURA) on pig performance, carcass traits, and the fatty acid composition of pork Longissimus lumborum (LL) and backfat. Methods: A total of 144 Pig Improvement Company (PIC)${\times}$Goland finishing pigs (72 females and 72 castrated males) of mean weight 117.1 (${\pm}13.1$) kg were blocked by sex and body weight and provided with 0% or 1% AURA in isonutritive and isocaloric diets. A total of 24 pens provided 12 replicates per treatment. Animals were weighed on day 0 and 28 with feed and water intake recorded per pen. After 31 days supplementation (28 days of study and 3 days until the slaughtering date) three animals per pen (n = 72) were slaughtered and the LL and backfat thickness, lean meat content and dressing percentage were recorded for the carcasses. The fatty acid (FA) profile of the LL and backfat was established by direct FA methyl ester synthesis. Results: No differences were observed for any performance parameters or carcass traits. Supplementation with AURA resulted in significant changes to the FA profiles of both the LL and backfat with male and female pigs responding differently to supplementation in terms of particular FAs. Overall, pork LL samples had significantly higher eicosapentaenoic acid (p<0.001) and DHA concentrations (p<0.001), and higher omega-3 (n-3) FAs (p<0.001), as well as an increased omega3:omega6 (n-3:n-6) ratio (p = 0.001). For backfat, supplementation resulted in significantly higher amounts of DHA (p<0.001) and n-3 FAs (p<0.001). Conclusion: These results indicate that dietary supplementation with 1% AURA over a 31 day period can increase the FA composition of pork LL and backfat, specifically the DHA, with no major impact on growth performance and carcass traits.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.35 no.12
• /
• pp.1977-1985
• /
• 2022

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the seasonal characteristics of odorous material emissions from a swine finishing barn equipped with a continuous pit recirculation system (CPRS) using aerobically treated manure. Methods: The CPRS consists of an aerobic manure treatment process and a pit recirculation system, where the solid fraction is separated and composted. The aerated liquid fraction (290.0%±21.0% per day of total stored pig slurry) is continuously recirculated to the top of the slurry in the pit. Four confinement pig barns in three piggery farms were used: two were equipped with CPRS, and the other two operated a slurry pit under the slatted floor across all seasons. Results: The indoor, exhaust, and outside odor intensities were significantly lower in the CPRS group than in the control group (p<0.001). In the CPRS group, the odor intensity outside was significantly lower in the fall than in the other seasons (p = 0.015). In the indoor atmosphere, the temperature and CO₂, NH₃, and H₂S contents of the CPRS group were significantly lower than those of the control group (p<0.05). In the CPRS group, indoor temperature did not significantly change in the spring, summer, and fall seasons and was significantly lower in the winter (p = 0.002). NH₃, H₂S, methyl mercaptan, dimethyl disulfide, trimethylamine, phenol, indole, and skatole levels were significantly lower in the CPRS group than in the control group (p<0.05). There were significant seasonal differences on the odorous material in both the control and CPRS groups (p<0.05), but the pattern was not clear across seasons. Conclusion: The CPRS can reduce the indoor temperature in the summer to a level similar to that in the spring and fall seasons. The CPRS with aerated liquid manure is expected to reduce and maintain malodorous emissions within acceptable limits in swine facilities.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.555-564
• /
• 2005

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of zeolite on growth performance, carcass characteristics and fecal ammonia gas release in the finishing pigs. A total of 120 crossbred finishing pigs (50.2$\pm$1.4kg, Landrace$\time$Yorkshire$\time$Duroc) were assigned to 4 treatments and randomly divided into 12 groups. They were divided between early finishing period (50~80kg) and late finishing period (80-120kg). Finishing pigs were fed on a basal diet supplemented with 0, 1, 2 and 4% levels of zeolite. Average daily gain and feed conversion were significantly (P<0.05) improved by the dietary supplementation of 4% zeolite compared with other treatments during overall period. In the finishing periods, ammonia gas emission was reduced (P<0.05) in 4% zeolite treatment more than that of the other treatments. Carcass weight and back fat thicknesses were not affected by zeolite treatments. But, the appearance of A grade pork was increased by the dietary supplementation of 4% zeolite. Feed cost was linearly decreased by increasing the supplementation of zeolite. According to this study, 4% supplement of zeolite is suitable for the improvement of carcass quality and feed conversion, the reduction of fecal ammonia gas emission and feed cost per body weight gain.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.27-34
• /
• 2003

This experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of fermented microbial complex(Eco-Farm$^{(R)}$) on performance of finishing pigs and indoor air quality in finishing building. A total 135 crossbred [(Landrace ${\times}$ Yorkshire) ${\times}$ Duroc] pigs were randomly arranged into nine groups and assigned to three treatments. Pigs were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0, 0.5 and 1% level of fermented microbial complex(Eco-Farm$^{(R)}$) until the market weight for 40 days of the experimental period. Average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio were significantly improved (p<0.05) with dietary supplementation of 0.5% fermented microbial complex (Eco-Farm$^{(R)}$): however, average daily gain was not affected by dietary supplementation of fermented microbial complex(Eco-Farm$^{(R)}$). Indoor ammonia and hydrogen sulfide concentrations in the finishing building were significantly(p<0.05) decreased by dietary supplementation of fermented microbial complex(Eco-Farm$^{(R)}$) compared with those of control, however, indoor carbon dioxide concentration was not affected by dietary supplementation of fermented microbial complex(Eco-Farm$^{(R)}$). In conclusion, the results obtained from this experiment suggest that the dietary supplementation of fermented microbial complex(Eco-Farm$^{(R)}$) for finishing pigs improved performance and indoor air quality in the finishing building.hing building.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.26 no.7
• /
• pp.1047-1053
• /
• 2013

Five hundred and forty crossbred (Korean native black pig${\times}$Landrace) F2 were selected at a commercial pig farm and then divided into six different coat color groups: (A: Black, B: White, C: Red, D: White spot in black, E: Black spot in white, F: Black spot in red). Birth weight, 21st d weight, 140th d weight and carcass weight varied among the different coat color groups. D group (white spot in black coat) showed a significantly higher body weight at each weigh (birth weight, 140th d weight and carcass weight) than did the other groups, whereas the C group (red coat color) showed a significantly lower body weight at finishing stage (140th d weight and carcass weight) compared to other groups. Meat quality characteristics, shear force, cooking loss and meat color were not significantly different among the different coat color groups, whereas drip loss was significantly higher in F than in other groups. Most blood characteristics were not significantly different among the different groups, except for the red blood cells.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.305-327
• /
• 1999

In the paper insight is given in the legislation policy to restrain environmental pollution by pig husbandry, focused on The Netherlands (Mineral Accounting System). Besides, nutritional measures are presented to reduce environmental pollution by lowering excretion of N and P, emphasizing (multi) phase feeding, the use of low protein, synthetic amino acids supplemented diets, phytase and its effect on phosphorus and calcium digestibility, its interaction with phytic acid and proteins, and the environmental impact of the use of phytase in pig diets. Also, nutritional means are indicated to reduce ammonia volatilization from pig operations. It is concluded that nutrition management can substantially contribute to reduction of N and P excretion by pigs, mainly by lowering dietary protein levels, (multi) phase feeding and the use of microbial phytase, and that the use of phytase on a large scale in The Netherlands has a tremendous environmental impact. In 20 years the excretion of P in growing-finishing pigs has more than halved. Ammonia emission from manure of pigs can be reduced substantially by lowering dietary protein content, but also by including additional non-starch polysaccharides in the diet. A very promising method to reduce ammonia emission is to manipulate dietary cation-anion difference, e.g. by adding acidifying salts to the diet, which will lower pH of urine substantially. Further research is desirable. This also applies to determining dietary factors influencing the odour release from manure. Finally, some speculation on the future of pig farming from an environmental viewpoint is presented.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.30 no.12
• /
• pp.1667-1673
• /
• 2017

Antibiotics have long been of great benefit for people, both in the medical treatment of human disease and in animal food where they improve the growth performance and feed utilization during animal production. Antibiotics as in-feed supplements affect all stages of pork production, including the gestation, nursing, growing, and finishing stages, although the effects show stage-dependent differences. However, the use of antibiotics in animal feed has become a worldwide concern. This review describes why sub-therapeutic levels of antibiotic additives in animal feed have become an integral part of animal feeding programs for more than 70 years, particularly in pork production. It also discusses the threat of the long-term use of sub-therapeutic levels of antibiotics in pork production. In recent years, the effectiveness of in-feed antibiotics has tended to decrease. This review analyzes this change from various perspectives. First, the equipment used at pig farms has improved dramatically and is more sanitary. Worldwide, more pig farms use pig farrowing crates, gestation crates, piglet nursery crates, flooring devices, piggery ventilation and cooler systems, automatic pig feeders, piggery heating equipment, and artificial insemination systems. In addition, scientists have replaced the use of antibiotics with organic acids, fermented mash, probiotics, prebiotics, minerals, oligosaccharides, enzymes, herbs/flavors, and protein/amino acids, and have improved management and husbandry techniques. In addition, animal welfare legislation has been aimed at improving the quality of the floors and living space, ensuring that animals have permanent access to fresh water, and setting a minimum weaning age. Finally, the prospects and the possibility of replacing antibiotics in pork production are described, in line with recent research results.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.308-316
• /
• 2022

Objective: This study was conducted to determine reduction of various odorous materials from a swine farm equipped with a continuous pit recirculation system (CPRS) with aerobically treated liquid manure. Methods: The CPRS is used in swine farms in South Korea, primarily to improve air quality in pig houses. In this study, CPRS consists of a manure aerobic treatment system and a fit recirculation system; the solid fraction is separated and composted, whereas the aerobically treated liquid fraction (290.0%±21.0% per day of total stored swine slurry) is continuously returned to the pit. Four confinement pig barns in three piggery farms were used; two were equipped with CPRS and the other two operated a slurry pit under the slatted floor. Results: All chemical contents of slurry pit manure in the control were greater than those of slurry pit manure in the CRPS treatment (p<0.05). Electrical conductivity and pH contents did not differ among treatments. The biological oxygen demand of the slurry pit treatment was greater than that of the other treatments (p<0.05). Total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and ammonia nitrogen contents of the slurry pit treatment were greater than those of other treatments (p<0.05). Odor intensity of the CPRS treatment was lower than that of the control at indoor, exhaust, and outside sampling points (p<0.05). The temperature and carbon dioxide of the CPRS treatment in the pig barn was significantly lower than those of control (p<0.05). All measured odorous material contents of the CPRS group were significantly lower than those of the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The CPRS application in pig farms is considered a good option as it continuously reduces the organic load of animal manure and lowers the average odorant concentration below the threshold of detecting odorous materials.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
• /
• v.53 no.5
• /
• pp.127-136
• /
• 2019

Today, as the specification of pigs increases, it is important to develop eco-friendly livestock feeds that do not add antibiotics to highly utilizable materials as feed resources, and to produce functional eco-friendly pork and processed products. The purpose of this study was to establish Rubus occidentalis (RO) byproducts containing various amounts of physiologically active substances such as anticancer, anti - inflammation and antioxidant as a raw material for pig feed. The multifaceted efficacy of the RO fermented fodder (ROFF) was confirmed by the nutrient transport factors and antioxidant activity of Berkshire pigs. ROFF was added 0.3% to the general diet and the efficacy was confirmed by feeding diets to Berkshire pigs according to each weight for 43~73 days. As a result, the total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were decreased or were increased in the castrated male and female Berkshire pigs but not significantly. It was confirmed that the tendency was improved in nutrition physiology. The biochemical levels of female finishing pigs were not significant but increased. In the case of finishing pigs with possibility of pregnancy, it is expected that the nutrition supply for piglet production and will help in the production of the healthy piglet. Transferrin (TFE) levels tended to increase in female growing pig and 110-150 kg finishing pigs. Thus ROFF could minimize the negative effects of iron contents deficiency in female Berkshire pigs. Glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1) activity was increased in castrated male and female 110-150 kg finishing pigs. Therefore, ROFF tends to improve the antioxidant capacity. The results of this study suggest that ROFF is one of the most favorable dietary sources when considering the contents of RO in feed. In particular, ROFF could have a positive effect on nutrient transport and iron content of female rather than castrated male Berkshire pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.11 no.5
• /
• pp.538-544
• /
• 1998

One hundred and twenty-eight finishing pigs (51.3 kg average initial body weight) were used to determine the effects of adding cellulase enzymes and lactobacillus acidophilus to sorghum-based diets on growth performance, carcass merit, and nutrient digestibility in finishing pigs. Treatments were: 1) corn-soybean meal-based positive control; 2) sorghum-soybean meal-based negative control; 3) Diet 2 with celluloytic enzymes; and 4) Diet 2 with a bacterial feed additive (lactobacillus acidophilus). There was a trend for greater average daily gain (ADG) in pigs fed com versus the sorghum treatments for day 0 to 28 (p < .09), but there was no effect of treatment (p > .15) on overall ADG (i.e., day 0 to 63). Feed consumption was not affected by treatment during the experiment (p > .19). Pigs fed the corn-soybean meal-based diet had 3.5% greater overall gain/feed than pigs fed the other diets (p < .009). Dressing percentage was not affected by treatment (p > .22), but there was a trend for backfat thickness at the last rib to be greater for pigs fed com versus the sorghum treatments (p < .09). Pigs fed the sorghum treatments had 1 % greater fat free lean index (p < .10) compared to pigs fed the corn-soybean meal-based positive control. Pigs fed com had greater apparent digestibilities of DM, N, and GE than pigs fed the sorghum treatments (p < .03), and greater DE intake (p < .07) suggesting that the increased carcass fatness for pigs fed the corn-based control diet resulted from greater energy status of those pigs. In conclusion, pigs fed the corn-soybean meal-based control diet had no improved growth performance but tended to be fatter than pigs fed sorghum. Adding cellulolytic enzymes or a bacterial feed additive to diets for finishing pigs did not affect growth performance, carcass merit, or nutrient utilization.