• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.164-169
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• 1997

The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of feed processing and feeding methods on growth performance and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing pigs. A total of 72 pigs (LYD, 22.24 kg BW) were employed for a 90-d feeding trial. Treatments were 1) mash dry feeding (MD), 2) mash wet feeding (MW), 3) pellet dry feeding (PD), and 4) extruded pellet dry feeding (EPD). Corn, soybean meal and wheat bran in the basal diets were extruded before mixing and pelleting for EPD diet production. Ileal or fecal digestibility and carcass traits including lean meat percentage and weights of stomach ulcer were also examined. During the growing period, pigs fed PD showed improved (p < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion (F/G) over those fed MD, whereas no significant differences in average daily feed intake (ADFI) were found among dietary treatments. Finisher pigs fed MD showed lover, but not significant, ADG and F/G than those fed MW, PD or EPD. For the overall period, pigs fed PD grew faster (p < 0.05) than those fed MD or EPD. Feed intake was different between the two feeding methods (MD vs MW), and between the two processed feeds (PD vs EPD). The digestibility of crude fat was higher (p < 0.05) in pigs fed EPD than in pigs fed mash feeds. NFE digestibility of EPD treatment was also higher (p < 0.05) than that of PD. Back fat (10th rib area) was thicker (p < 0.05) tn pigs fed MD than in pigs fed EPD. other carcass traits including incidence of esophagogastric ulcers were not different among treatments. In conclusion, pelleting appeared to bo the desirable processing methods and wet feeding could also be recommended for growing-finishing pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.7
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• pp.931-936
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• 2010

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the bioavailability of different organic selenium (Se) products in finishing pigs. A total of 48 growing pigs, average body weight $47.6kg{\pm}0.05$, were allotted to four different treatments in a randomized complete block (RCB) design in three replicates with four pigs per pen. Three different organic Se products, Se-enriched yeast (treatments A and B) and Se-proteinate (treatment C), were used in conjunction with a basal diet with no added Se as a control treatment. In growing period, pigs were fed the same diet but finishing pigs were fed each treatment diet containing organic Se products for 6 weeks. During the experimental period, feed intake and body weight were measured and blood samples were collected to determine the Se concentration. At the end of this experiment, 3 pigs per treatment were killed and various tissues (loin, liver, kidney, pancreas and spleen) were collected to analyze the Se concentration. The body weight, and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were similar among treatments, but the average daily gain (ADG) was increased on Se-proteinate treatment (p<0.01) and gain-to-feed ratio (G/F ratio) was improved on Se yeast B or Se-proteinate treatment (p<0.01). The tissue Se content was also increased when pigs were fed organic Se sources, and Se was retained efficiently in loin (p<0.01) and kidney (p<0.05) when Se yeast B was provided. The serum Se concentration was increased when organic Se was provided and was higher when pigs were fed Se-proteinate (p<0.01); subsequently liver Se was also higher on Se-proteinate treatment than other treatments. The Se yeast A treatment did not show any increment of Se concentration both in serum and tissues. This result demonstrated that Se retention and bioavailability in finishing pigs were varied by Se products although organic sources were provided. Consequently, each organic Se product should be evaluated before it is used as a supplement in animal feed.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.449-454
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• 2012

The present study was performed to investigate the effects of the plane of nutrition on growth performance and meat quality traits, especially marbling and PSE (pale, soft, and exudative), in finishing pigs. One hundred and four barrows and 102 gilts born to Yorkshire ${\times}$ Landrace dams and Duroc sires were randomly allocated to 16 pens at approximately 80-kg body weight, with 13 animals housed per pen except for two pens. Each eight pens received a diet containing either 3.4 Mcal ME/kg and 0.98% total lysine (high plane) or 3.1 Mcal ME/kg and 0.81% total lysine (medium plane). All animals were slaughtered at approximately 112 kg BW on an average, after which the Longissimus muscle (LM) was analyzed physicochemically. The ADG, ADFI, gain:feed as well as marbling score did not differ between the two dietary groups, whereas backfat thickness was greater in the high-plane group than in the medium-plane group (24.1 vs. 22.5 mm P<0.05). No LM exhibited PSE, i.e. $L^*$ (lightness) > 50, pH < 6.0 and drip loss > 5.0%, nor were these PSE-related variables influenced by the dietary treatment. Contents of crude protein and fat in LM did not differ between the two dietary groups. In conclusion, the present results suggest that growth performance and the occurrence of the PSE or 'watery' carcass are not influenced significantly by increasing the plane of nutrition in finishing pigs when the finisher is adequate nutritionally for supporting maximal lean growth. However, increasing the plane of nutrition is likely to result in an increase in fat deposition.

• 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.16 no.9
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• pp.1326-1331
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• 2003

The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of Toyocerin, a probiotic containing Bacillus toyoi spores, on the health status and productivity of pigs, during nursery, growing and finishing phases. On a commercial farrow-to-finish farm in Greece, 3 experimental groups were formed, each of 72 weaned piglets. The pigs of the first group (T1 group; negative controls) received normal feed with no antimicrobials or probiotics, the pigs of the second group (T2 group) received the same type of feed but supplemented with 1.0${\times}$10$^9$, 0.5${\times}$10$^9$ and 0.2${\times}$10$^9$ spores per kg of feed at weaning, growing and finishing stage, respectively, and the pigs of the third group (T3 group) were fed with Toyocerin at the dose of 1.0${\times}$10$^9$ spores per kg of feed during the entire fattening period (weaning, growing and finishing stages). The results have shown that, compared to the controls, Toyocerin treated pigs had reduced incidence of postweaning diarrhoea (p<0.05). Enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli were detected in faecal samples of 0% to 25% of pigs of the treated groups, but in 33.5% to 50% of pigs of the non-treated group (p<0.05). Over the negative controls, a significant improvement of weight gain (4.5% and 8.3% for T2 and T3 groups, respectively), and of feed conversion ratio (6.6% and 13.0% for T2 and T3 groups, respectively) was observed. The 76.5% of the carcasses of the T3 group was classified in the top three categories of the EUROP scale (S, E and U), whilst the respective figures were 47.8% for T2 group and only 10.5% for T1 group (p<0.05).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1314-1321
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• 2016

We conducted this 10-wk experiment to evaluate the effects of dietary phytoncide, Korean pine extract as phytogenic feed additive (PFA), on growth performance, blood characteristics, and meat quality in finishing pigs. A total of 160 pigs ([Landrace${\times}$Yorkshire]${\times}$Duroc, body weight (BW) = $58.2{\pm}1.0kg$) were randomly allocated into 1 of 4 treatments according to their BW and sex, 10 replicate pens per treatment with 4 pigs per pen were used (2 barrows and 2 gilts). Dietary treatments were: CON, control diet; PT2, CON+0.02% PFA; PT4, CON+0.04% PFA; PT6, CON+0.06% PFA. Overall, average daily gain (ADG) was higher in PT4 (p<0.05) than in PT6, average daily feed intake (ADFI) was lower in PT6 than in CON (p<0.05). Besides ADFI decreased linearly (p<0.05) with the increased level of phytoncide and gain:feed ratio in PT4 treatment was higher (p<0.05) than CON treatment. During 5 to 10 weeks and overall, quadratic (p<0.05) effect was observed in ADG among the treatments. At the end of this experiment, pigs fed with PT4 diet had a greater (p<0.05) red blood cell concentration compared to the pigs fed CON diet. Water holding capacity increased linearly (p<0.05) with the increased level of phytoncide supplementation. Moreover, firmness, redness, yellowness, and drip loss at day 3 decreased linearly (p<0.05) with the increase in the level of phytoncide supplementation. In conclusion, inclusion of phytoncide could enhance growth performance without any adverse effects on meat quality in finishing pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.1444-1449
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• 2001

Two feeding trials were conducted to determine the effect of inclusion levels or deletion of vitamin-trace mineral (VM) premixes on growth performance and pork quality in finishing pigs. In exp. 1, a total of ninety-six crossbred pigs $(Landrace\;{\times}\;Yorkshire\;{\times}\;Duroc,\;85.09{\pm}3.12kg)$ were used for a 4-week feeding triaL Treatments were premix supplementation at the level of 50% (Control), 100%, 150%, and 200% of NRC (1998) requirements for vitamins and trace minerals. In exp. 2, a total of one hundred and eight crossbred pigs $(Landrace\;{\times}\;Yorkshire\;{\times}\;Duroc,\;84.76{\pm}0.58kg)$ were used for a 4-week feeding trial. Treatments were premix supplementation at the level of 0% (Control), 200% VM, and 200% vitamin E and Se listed in NRC (1998) requirements. Average daily gain (ADG) and feed/gain (F/G) were the highest at 150% VM addition level (quadratic, p<0.05) among treatments. Dressing percentage and backfat thickness in pigs were not affected by different addition levels of VM premixes. Pork stability in terms of TBARS was linearly (p<0.05) improved as dietary VM premix was increased (exp. 1). ADG, F/G and pork stability (TBARS) were also reduced (p<0.05) when VM premixes were deleted. However, supplementation of vitamin E and Se improved (p<0.05) ADG and pork stability when pigs were fed diets without VM premixes (exp. 2). In conclusion, deleting dietary VM premixes gave negative effects on growth performance and pork quality for the last 4 weeks of finishing period.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.61 no.5
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• pp.272-277
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• 2019

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary mixture of protease and probiotics on growth performance, blood constituents, and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing pigs. A total of 48 growing pigs were randomly allotted into 2 dietary (6 pigs/pen; 4 replicates/treatment). The treatments were a diet based on corn and soybean meal (CON) and CON supplemented with 0.01% of dietary mixture of protease and probiotics (MULTI). No differences were found on growth performance (average daily gain, ADG; overall, 874.06 vs. 881.14 g/d; p > 0.05), blood constituents (white blood cell, WBC; phase I, 17.51 vs. $19.96{\times}10^3/{\mu}L$; phase II, 19.65 vs. $21.95{\times}10^3/{\mu}L$; p > 0.05), and carcass characteristics during overall experimental period between CON and MULTI. In conclusion, the addition of dietary mixture of protease and probiotics in growing-finishing pig diet did not have any beneficial effects.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.25-34
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• 2012

Noxious gases with malodorous substance concentrations in each stages of pig buildings were determined at a typical 400sow-scale farm to improve piggery environment. Using IAQ-300 and pDR-1000AN, continuous records for the concentration of $NH_3$, CO, $CO_2$, $NO_2$, $SO_2$, $H_2S$, $O_2$, and along with temperature, humidity, dust concentrates from individual pig pens were collected to analyze every 6 hours' condition of indoor environment for 24 hours' period. In most pig houses, the air quality at noon was good, while at night (00:00~06:00), air composition became noxious in all buildings. The order of buildings' air quality for 24 hrs was pregnant > farrowing > nursery > growing > finishing. The cause of air quality differences was presumed to be the differences of stocking density, defecating amount and the length of exposure time of slurry in indoors. In conclusion, well-designed building structure, proper control of stocking density, quick removal of excreta from pig pens and continuous ventilation are prerequisites to improve pig housing environment.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.8
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• pp.1229-1235
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• 2007

Three trials were conducted to study the effect of processing method on performance, apparent nutrient and amino acid digestibilities in growing-finishing pigs fed lupine seeds. Ground, expanded or flaked lupine seed was prepared for the trials. In trial 1, a total of 72 growing barrows ($Landrace{\times}Large$ $White{\times}Large$, initial BW of $54.22{\pm}5.87$ kg) were allocated to three treatment diets containing 15% percent of differently processed lupine seed for 28 days. Each treatment had four replicates comprising 6 pigs each. In trial 2, a total of 48 finishing barrows ($Landrace{\times}Large$ $White{\times}Large$, initial BW of $84.40{\pm}6.84$ kg) were subjected to three treatments for 21 days. The experimental design was the same as trial 1 except for supplementation with 20% of lupine seed. Each treatment had four replicates comprising 4 pigs each. To evaluate the ileal digestibility of amino acids, a total of 9 barrows ($Landrace{\times}Large$ $White{\times}Large$), with an average initial BW of $41.07{\pm}1.98$ kg, were fed with ground, expanded or flaked lupine for 7 days. Each pig was surgically equipped with a simple T-cannula fitted in the distal ileum. Amino acid composition and presence of anti-nutritional factors (ANFs) in processed lupine sources were also evaluated. The results showed that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in lupine amino acid composition due to the different processing methods. Expanded and flaked lupine significantly decreased (p<0.05) the concentration of ANFs compared with ground lupine. There was no effect (p>0.05) on the growth performance in growing pigs. However, processing method had a significant effect (p<0.05) on average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in finishing pigs. There was no effect (p>0.05) of the different processing methods on the digestibility of dry matter (DM), gross energy (GE), ether extract (EE), Calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P), but expanded lupine could significantly increase (p<0.05) the apparent digestibility of CP in finishing pigs. Furthermore, expanded lupine had a higher (p<0.05) apparent ileal digestibility for most indispensable and dispensable amino acids compared with ground and flaked lupine. It was concluded that expanded lupine could be beneficial in improving lupine's quality and improve performance and nutrient utilization in growing-finishing pigs.