Produmix holds conference on swine nutrition

The Spanish company Produmix, a renowned specialist in piglet nutrition, recently held a conference in Taiwan on swine health and nutrition. Organized in cooperation with its local distributor, the meeting drew veterinarians, big producers in the area and sub-distributors from several provinces. It centered on new trends and research on nutrition, digestive systems and health in piglets.
One of the key features was the lecture on the problems caused by the lack of homogeneity of animals during the post-weaning period. Given the concern this is generating in pig production today, a specific chapter was reserved to focusing on the extra costs this problem can generate for the grower.
Different lines of action were recommended to reduce the impact of the great variability in piglet weights. In this presentation, Produmix and participants analyzed the data obtained from continuous trials carried out on farms, proving that Produmix basemixes actively contribute to the homogeneity of piglet litters.

University of Nottingham, Zoetis collaborate on pig feed efficiency study

• 

  Andrea Gantz

  The University of Nottingham and Zoetis are collaborating in a study with the aim of improving pig feed efficiency.

  From WATTAgNet:
  The University of Nottingham has secured funding from Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) to undertake a four-year project with Zoetis, the leading global animal health company, with the aim of improving feed efficiency in pig farming.
  This new project builds on an ongoing partnership between The University of Nottingham and Zoetis and will focus on studies to help maximize muscle growth and improve the health of pig herds on farms. Funding for the research initiative will be in excess of GBP800,000 (US$1.2 million), including the contribution from Zoetis.
  John Brameld, associate professor in nutritional biochemistry at The University of Nottingham and principal investigator, said: "We are very excited to be partnering with Zoetis on such a significant research project which could potentially help to benefit farmers across the globe."
  "Improving feed efficiency in farm animals such as pigs is becoming increasingly important in order to ensure their healthy growth and development, and also to help provide an increasing supply of high quality meat that the world’s expanding population requires."
  The project will bring together the muscle growth and metabolism expertise of Dr. Tim Parr and Dr. John Brameld, both from the University’s School of Biosciences , the pig muscle cell culture specialisms of Dr. Paul Loughna in the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science and the whole body physiology skills of Professor Fran Ebling in the School of Life Sciences.
  It is also anticipated that staff from The University of Nottingham and Zoetis will spend time working within each other’s laboratories, increasing opportunities for the exchange of knowledge, technology and expertise.
  Douglas Harris, senior principal scientist in global therapeutics research for Zoetis, added: "This agreement gives us the opportunity to continue to build upon and strengthen the swine enhanced performance research partnership we’ve had with the exceptional staff at the University of Nottingham. We’re excited about the scientific advances that could arise from the exchange of talent between our organizations and the contributions we can collectively make towards improving global food security."
  Pork is the world’s most widely consumed meat. Over 110 million metric tons of pork is eaten annually, accounting for almost 40 percent of the world’s meat consumption. With the world’s population forecast to grow by a further 2 billion people by 2050, and the associated increase in the world demand for meat, improving the efficiency of animal growth is becoming ever more important globally.

Specialized swine nutrition and feed manufacturing course held

USSEC Soybean Meal Japan Swine Training course participants inspect the field at Bob Haselwood’s soybean farm near Berryton, Kansas. 
Nine participants from Japan traveled to IGP Institute on Sept. 22-25, 2014 for the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) Soybean Meal Japan Swine Training. The course was designed to teach nutritional components and requirements and feed manufacturing for swine through lectures, workshops, guest speakers and field trips.
“The partnership with USSEC helps those who import U.S. soybean meal to better understand its nutritional benefits and how to use it to improve their operations,” said Carlos Campabadal, IGP specialist in feed manufacturing and grain storage, and course manager.
Course participants were invited and sponsored by USSEC to increase their knowledge in the swine nutrition and feed manufacturing fields. Students were able to learn and understand amino acid concepts, the importance of using soybean meal, nutritional differences between feedstuffs and feed production in swine diets.
“This course is important in helping those in the Japanese swine industry to become more
efficient in their operations by improving nutrition and feed manufacturing,” Campabadal said.
The course included field trips where participants toured the Kansas Soybean Commission in Topeka, Kansas; Bob Haselwood’s soybean farm in Berryton, Kansas; the Triumph Packing Plant in St. Joseph, Missouri; and Midwest Ag Services in Seneca, Kansas.
Course participant Satoshi Hayashi is a company veterinarian at Hayashi Farm in Japan and said the course helped him link the biosecurity program to swine feed diets.
“I work in the health control and so I’ve been thinking more about the feed diet,” Hayashi said. “I’m interested in U.S. feed and soybeans. This course has a lot of good information.”
Kansas State University faculty members Charles Stark, Cassandra Jones, Jason Woodworth and Bob Goodband spoke to the participants about different aspects of swine nutrition.

Cargill introduces neonatal pig nutrition program

Cargill’s animal nutrition business has introduced a global nutrition program to help improve piglet livability. The program is designed to help pork producers increase the life expectancy of their pigs through an advanced feeding program that targets neonatal nutrition.
Initial research has indicated that Cargill’s neonatal pig nutrition program can increase piglet livability as much as six percent.
“With average global piglet livability of about 82 percent, the mortality of young pigs is a critical challenge for producers around the world, even in the most advanced operations,” said Brooke Humphrey, Cargill Animal Nutrition’s global swine technology director.  “At Cargill, we have discovered ways to leverage piglet nutrition and feed processing to help increase livability through our advanced formulation system.”
The program focuses on improving neonatal nutrition – helping piglets increase weight during the first 28 days of life. Mortality during the neonatal phase— from birth until weaning—often runs as high as 18 percent. With the right smell, taste and mouth feel, the new program helps maximize feed intake, which studies show directly impacts weight gain and overall livability.
Available in liquid or dry feeds, the neonatal program has demonstrated the capability to help increase livability (counting stillbirth and pre-weaning deaths) and overall health. In some cases the average birth weight has gone up from 1.3kg to 1.7kg – and the average weaning weight has gone from 6.5kg to 8 kg. Feed preference and intake is strong – and the stool quality is high. The program includes research from CAN’s MAX formulation system – a unique software modeling program that can formulate customized feeds to help optimize animal health, growth and customer profitability.
The new neonatal nutrition feeds will roll out regionally over the next 12 months.

Inspire forum attendees learn of dietary NSPs’ pros and cons

Presentations from industry and academia highlighted both the negative and positive effects of dietary NSPs on nutrient utilization and health in pigs and poultry at the Inspire: Non-starch Polysaccharide (NSP) Forum, held at Pitlochry, Scotland.
The April 1 session began with Professors Hank Classen of the University of Saskatchewan and John Patience of Iowa State University outlining the impact of dietary fiber in poultry and swine, respectively. While fiber has the ability to retain water in both species, the level of resulting gut content viscosity differs considerably, and is much more of an issue in poultry.
Patience also explained that up to one third of the energy requirements of mature sows can come from fiber, compared to maybe 3 percent for poultry. Other key findings presented included a clear variation in the impact of NSPs on gut content viscosity with broiler age and the apparent negative effect of excessive NSP breakdown increasing monosaccharide concentrations.
"The issue of how dietary fiber acts within the gut is a very complex one, with numerous interactions happening throughout the digestive process, and affected by the fiber itself, animal factors and the makeup of the diet," explained Classen. "In terms of improving performance and economic return through NSP enzyme use, I think we've done remarkably well considering."
Dr. Knud Erik Bach Knudsen of Aarhus Universitat took the discussion a stage further, explaining some of the detailed differences between conditions in the pig and poultry intestinal tracts that alter interactions with dietary fiber. The impact of NSPs on gut microbiota was investigated by Alimetric's Dr. Juha Apajalahti, who demonstrated the apparent role of butyrate produced from fiber fermentation within the large intestine in improving animal performance.
The challenge facing the industry in getting the fibre balance right was made clear by Professor Ed Moran of Auburn University, who demonstrated the clear link between increased gut viscosity - caused by high levels of soluble long-chain NSPs - and an increased risk of necrotic enteritis. This theme was further developed during the final presentation of the day by AB Vista's Dr. Hadden Graham, who explained not only the history of feed enzyme use and the commercial drivers behind it, but also the often unpredictable nature of animal response to NSP enzymes.
"The market today is dominated by xylanase products, but in most of the research we don't know exactly what was delivered to the animal being investigated," he stated. "Rarely are enzyme levels in the finished feed assayed, and we know large changes can take place during mixing and processing, so it is not surprising we sometimes don't get the results we expect.
"There are clear economic gains to be made, but it is also clear that there is still a lot of work to be done."

Maximizing feed efficiency in antibiotic-free swine diets and precision feeding

After the EU banned the use of antibiotic growth promoters in swine feeds, Dr. Piet van der Aar, research coordinator, Schothorst Feed Research, said that careful feed formulation has become more important for pig producers. Speaking at the first installment of the "Total Feed Efficiency for Pigs" webinar series, sponsored by Topigs, van der Aar said that in growing finishing pigs, four-fifths of the negative economic effect of a ban on feed antibiotics can be compensated for with a properly formulated diet.
Specific recommendations for antibiotic-free swine diets presented by van der Aar include limiting the amount of fermentable fiber and reducing the amount of non-ileal digestible protein in the diet. He said that, particularly under sub-optimal conditions - for example immune system challenge or heat stress - the amount of fermentable carbohydrates and protein should be reduced.
He said that the amount of fermentable fiber in the diet is an important consideration for producers who are considering the addition of dried distiller's grains with solubles (DDGS) in antibiotic-free swine rations. The strategy of whether to choose for a lower protein, lower fermentable fiber, higher amino acid levels or organic acids will be dependent on the price and availability of feedstuffs, according to van der Aar.
Precision feeding
We traditionally look at developing a phase feeding program for the average response from a population of animals; we don't feed each animal to its requirements, according to Dr. Bruno Silva, professor, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. The precision feeding concept recognizes the existence of between-animal variation and involves the use of feeding techniques that allow the right amount of feed with the right composition to be provided at the right time to each pig in the herd.
Silva explained that, to get the maximum efficiency out of each pig, you really need a tailored feeding program for each pig every day, because their nutrient needs that day will be a function of their genetics, their immune state, temperature and other factors. He gave the example of individual pigs that might be overfed relative to their own nutrient needs and would still gain weight, but will convert the excess nutrients into carcass fat, not muscle. At the herd level, Silva cited research comparing three-phase and five-phase feeding programs. The five-phase program didn't dramatically improve the feed efficiency of the herd, but it did yield pigs with less fat and more muscle.

Register for Total Feed Efficiency for Pigs webinar series

In the first of a two-webinar series sponsored by TOPIGS and presented by WATT Global Media on March 25 at 8 a.m. CDT, pig producers will learn about new, improved nutrition sources and feed alternatives and how, when combined with precision feeding, they can dramatically improve pig health and grow out.
Register for the March 25 webinar: www1.gotomeeting.com/register/895542824.
Pig integrators, producers and processors, pig farm managers, veterinarians, nutritionists, pig feed formulators, pig health professionals are invited to attend.
Dr. Piet van der Aar, managing director of the internationally respected Schothorst Feed Research, The Netherlands, will talk about the use of new feed alternatives, feed production methods and other new insights and technologies concerning the production and use of feed.
Dr. Bruno Silva, professor and researcher in nutrition and swine production and environmental adaptation at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil, will explain the possibilities of precision feeding, where feeding the right amount of nutrients leads to higher results and greater efficiency.
The webinar series will inform pig producers about new, improved nutrition sources and feed alternatives and how these can dramatically improve feed efficiency, pig health and grow out when combined with precision feeding.

Pig nutrition research highlighted at Adisseo Swine Conference

Pascal Thiery, Adisseo technical manager, speaks at the Adisseo Swine Conference in Paris.
Because world demand for feed raw materials for monogastric and especially swine production continues to increase, nutritionists have to look after new ingredients and solutions to optimize their utilization. A better evaluation of their nutrients content and a broader use of additives such as enzymes become essential.
That was the connected thread of this third Swine Conference held by Adisseo in Paris.
Pork meat global demand continues to increase in the world, especially in China, explained Jan Peter van Ferneij, from the Economic Department of Ifip, the French swine institute. In China, pig production is supported by the government, the goal being to satisfy the growing demand of the population. Consequently, Chinese demand for feed raw materials disrupts prices. Pierre Sabatier, economist and chairman of Studies of PrimeView Agency, emphasized the fact that the general increase of all the commodity prices is due to the entry of China into global trade in 2001. As evidence, between 2001 and 2012, soybean meal prices doubled and fish meal prices increased threefold.
In this economic environment of scarce and expensive raw materials for animal nutrition, Europe, which imports every year 33 million tons of soya bean meal from America, must explore new solutions, especially protein sources for feed.
Marinus van Krimpen, animal nutrition researcher, Wageningen University, Netherlands, made a list of potential European protein sources as alternatives for imported soybean products: "conventional" solutions such as oil seeds, legumes, but also new sources such as aquatic protein - algae, duckweeds - or even insects which are protein and fat rich ingredients.
But regardless of alternatives, a precise description of the nutrient contents of raw materials is essential. That is why Adisseo has developed P.N.E., Precise Nutrition Evaluation, a unique service based on the combination of NIR technology and in vivo and in vitro digestibility tests. Pascal Thiery, Adisseo technical manager, explained how this service allows people to predict digestible amino acid contents of raw materials for swine nutrition.
Besides, the context will lead nutritionists to optimize utilization of available raw materials.
Enzymes, especially xylanases and phytases, become essential. Pierre Cozannet, Adisseo enzyme researcher, gave a focus on the strategic use of exogenous enzymes in pig nutrition. He explained that enzymes are extremely specific for a given substrate, and that associations of different enzyme activities are required to degrade the different types of fiber found in raw materials.
For example, very high fiber content diets for pigs lead to a decrease in performance, as shown by trials presented by Florence Gondret, research director, Inra, France.
Dr. Gondret demonstrated that, even with high levels of added oil to reach the target energy content of the diet, pigs cannot adjust feed intake to dietary metabolizable energy level, and that both energy and protein metabolisms are affected by dietary energy sources.
A focus on methionine in pig nutrition was then presented by Yves Mercier, amino acids research manager, Adisseo. Sulphur amino acids are not the first limiting amino acids for swine production, but several trials carried out across the world show that added methionine has a positive effect on average daily gain of piglets and fattening pigs, on sow milk content, and meat tenderness. Furthermore, HMTBA, the liquid form which is an organic acid, was shown to contribute to acidification for piglets, and improve gut mucosa and digestible absorption ability.
Adisseo has developed an electronic version of the updated Rhodimet Nutrition Guide (e-RNG). This interactive tool supplies amino acid recommendations for piglets, pigs and sows which vary according to producers' specific conditions and feeding programs.
Following the success of this meeting and the positive feed back from customers, Adisseo has announced a fourth Swine Conference in 2015.

Pig nutrition tips to prevent sow, gilt lameness

Gilts represent the future of the sow herd and close to 25 percent of the U.S. swine population, according to Zinpro Corp. However, the importance of gilt development to the sow's lifetime contribution in the herd is often underestimated. Because gilts represent the newest genetic pool, Zinpro Corp. is offering advice to producers on gilt nutrition and development.
Gilt development begins after pigs exit the nursery. The company says industry data suggest that gilts should be fed for production once they reach 150 to 180 pounds. Field demonstrations in both the United States and Spain suggest that swine producers need to begin gilt development for replacement gilts at an even earlier age than these currently set standards.  Starting these females out on the right nutrients and correct growth rate level is important to maximize their lifetime potential and longevity within the herd, the company explains.
"Gilt retention rates can be improved by up to 50 percent within the sow herd by implementing some simple changes, such as providing larger pen space per pig, utilizing better flooring and feeding a balanced diet - one that includes zinc, manganese and copper as amino acid complexes," says Mark Wilson, Ph.D., reproductive physiologist at Zinpro Corporation.
Without adequate space, environments and nutrition, gilts may have a greater potential for lameness, Wilson says. Structural issues on gilts' feet and legs can put the individual at a disadvantage from the start with lower reproductive rates, decreased feed consumption, and depressed joint, muscle and skeletal development. Zinpro estimates lameness accounts for nearly 15 percent of total culls through first parity.
One of the keys to helping gilts develop structurally is improved nutrition. Addressing the growing gilt's nutritional needs not only decreases feed costs, which account for 70 percent of a replacement gilt's cost, Wilson says, but also contributes to longevity in the herd.
Wilson encourages producers to start developing their replacement gilts as early as 40 pounds in order to maximize lifetime potential and longevity in the herd. By slightly slowing the growth rate and feeding correct levels of essential nutrients, gilts are able to reach this physiological maturity level at 230 days and 300 pounds of body weight with an improved skeletal structure-to-weight balance.
Bringing mature, structurally sound gilts into the herd improves their chances of reaching their fourth parity - the point at which they begin making money for the swine operation. Wilson points to data that show that increasing the number of sows in parity three through six has a significant impact on the overall productivity of the herd.
The weight of the gilt at breeding time can be a contributing factor to lifetime productivity , as well. Wilson says research has shown that by breeding gilts at 300 to 310 pounds body weight on their second or third estrus, the gilt has the weight and maturity to gestate and support a litter of pigs and is much easier to re-breed after the first litter. Gilts bred at less than 300 pounds had fewer total pigs over three parities than their heavier, more mature counterparts as shown by several different genetic groups.
"Nutrition plays an essential role in gilt development programs to help prepare young sows to meet the challenges of their first parity," Wilson says. "Ultimately, this sets the stage for improved animal performance and sow longevity."

Adisseo launches interactive pig, poultry nutrition guide

An electronic version of the Rhodimet Nutrition Guide is now available for nutritionists worldwide.
In July 2013, Adisseo published the new version of Rhodimet Nutrition Guide, RNG, gathering the amino acid recommendations for poultry, swine and aquaculture. After a flip-chart version developed in august, e-RNG 2.0, the interactive version is now available on Personal Computer or on tablets (iPad and Android).
The e-RNG 2.0 is an interactive tool which supplies amino acid requirements of an extensive range of animal species and strains, and provides total, digestible composition and digestibility coefficients of amino acids in raw materials.
In addition, the amino acid composition of more than 30 different raw materials is added in a separate section. This data is extracted from PNE, the Precise Nutrition Evaluation, the NIR Service from Adisseo.
PNE allows the prediction of digestible amino acids, metabolizable energy and phytic phosphorus of raw materials, on the basis of a unique in-vivo database built on more than 200 digestibility trials carried out in Adisseo Center of Expertise and Research Nutrition (CERN, France).
Based on an innovative modeling approach developed initially by Pierre-André Geraert, Innovation Marketing Director at Adisseo, the amino acid requirements are expressed in gram/animal/day according to weight gain (or egg mass).
The initial version was based on the data available in 2002. Many people were interested to check if the modelling approach was still valid on more recent data. As a consequence, the present version is using all the new published works till 2012, confirming the methodology for a larger number of essential amino acids.
This approach gives a simple way to adjust amino acid recommendations to field results more precisely than a constant amino acid to lysine ratio.
They are adaptable to standard or specific conditions and various feeding programs.
"A recent trial conducted in Thailand shows that formulas based on these recommendations resulted in a better adjustment of digestible amino acid requirements to sustain growth with a better economical return compared with usual recommendations", says Dr. Magalie Nonis, Animal Scientist at Adisseo.
"Free of charge, the e-RNG 2.0 is accessible via the Adisseo Brands website for Personal Computers or via App Store and Google Play for tablets. In order to access the e-RNG 2.0, users only need to download the application, and get an access code for the first connexion.
"This tool is available in 9 languages: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Polish, Turkish, Arabic and Chinese" says Pierre Dalibard, Global Technical Manager at Adisseo.

Combating summer sow, gilt infertility

When the summer temperatures rise, fertility in pigs (and many other mammals) declines. It is nature's way of limiting the number of offspring produced in the winter when the temperature is cold and food is in shorter supply.
Every pig farmer experiences the problem, to a greater or lesser degree, whether rearing indoors or out. The first indication is a higher proportion of gilts and sows returning to oestrus rather than progressing to pregnancy. Those that do proceed tend to produce smaller litters at farrowing. This in turn can lead to a shortage of animals to sell in late spring, just as price and demand is picking up for the start of the barbecue season.
Dr. Grant Walling, Director of Science and Technology at JSR Genetics, explains that science so far has failed to provide an explanation or solution to the problem. However there are things that every producer can do now to minimize its effects.
"A major study we undertook recently with the University of Nottingham, School of Biosciences concluded that summer infertility does not appear to have a genetic cause and cannot therefore be influenced by selective breeding.
"There are however a number of things that every pig farmer can do, right away, to mitigate the problem. So here are five ways to combat seasonal sow and gilt fertility decline:
1. To avoid a drop in output during the spring, consider serving more gilts now, this will help maintain slaughter pig numbers to sell when other producers may be struggling.

2. Check sows thoroughly for signs of oestrus which may be less noticeable at this time of year. For example, if she was served on day 0, check her on day 20 and for two or three days after. Artificial insemination is more difficult to plan at optimal oestrus time and therefore needs greater attention in summer.

3. Oestrus detection is always performed best by a boar. Consider running a mature, vasectomized animal with an outdoor unit. This will bring the added benefit of potentially making oestrus 'stronger' and more easily detected.

4. Check body condition carefully and feed accordingly. This is of course difficult in outdoor, group-housed sows, but it can be done.  Remember warmer temperatures can suppress appetite in sows at this time of year.

5. Always ensure that the herd is managed by experienced, dedicated staff that the herd is familiar with, for 52 weeks of the year.  It may be more than coincidence that seasonal infertility and staff summer holidays occur at the same time.

USDA releases amino acid digestibility soybean research on growing pigs

The USDA released an amino acid soybean digestibility study on growing pigs to determine the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) and to calculate net energy (NE) for micronized regular full-fat soybean (R-FFSB) and low stachyose and raffinose full-fat soybean (LSR-FFSB).
Six ileal-cannulated barrows weighing 31.4 kg were fed six diets in a 6 × 6 Latin square. The six diets were cornstarch-based with soybean meal (SBM), R-FFSB, LSRFFSB, or lentil as the sole source of protein; N-free diet (NFD); and enzymatically hydrolyzed casein diet (EHC). Energy digestibility in SBM, R-FFSB and LSR-FFSB was determined difference from the NFD and the SID of AA for SBM and test ingredients was calculated using NFD or EHC.
Results indicated that the SID of AA for feedstuffs was similar between two methods (NFD vs. EHC). The SID of lysine for SBM (93%) was higher (P < 0.05) than that for R-FFSB or LSR-FFSB, which were similar in SID of lysine (76 vs. 79%). The SID of other indispensable AA for SBM was also higher (P < 0.05) than that for R-FFSB or LSR-FFSB, which were similar in SID of the same AA.
The NE value for SBM was estimated to be 2.62 Mcal/kg of DM. However, SBM had lower (P < 0.05) NE content than R-FFSB or LSR-FFSB, which were similar in NE content (2.96 vs. 3.07 Mcal/kg of DM). The researchers concluded that FFSB (regular vs. LSR) may not affect the NE and SID of AA for micronized FFSB fed to pigs. Micronized FFSB (regardless of seed characteristic) is a better source of dietary energy, but not AA compared to SBM.

Nutritional value of low oligosaccharide soybean meal
An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of replacing conventional soybean meal (SBM, 46.55 % crude protein) with low oligosaccharide soybean meal (LOSBM, 53.16 % crude protein) on growth performance, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), intestinal morphology and digesta viscosity of early-weaned pigs. Thirty-two 19-day old pigs weighing about 6.9kg were assigned to individual pens based on a randomized complete block design. Four iso-nitrogenous nursery diets were fed ad libitum for the 14-day experimental period.
The treatments had no effect on average daily gain, daily feed intake, organ weights, intestinal length, ileal and jejunal crypt depths, or ileal villi height. However, jejuna villi height was greater (P = 0.01) in SBM diet and the concentration of BUN was higher (P = 0.01) in pigs fed LOSBM diet compared to the pigs fed diets containing SBM. Replacing SBM with LOSBM reduced (P =0.01) the viscosity of intestinal content. The researchers concluded that LOSBM was a suitable substitute for SBM, with no negative effects and improved digesta viscosity.
The DE and ME values were measured in grower pigs weighing about 51 kg and finisher pigs weighing about 95 kg.  Barrows were randomly assigned by weight to a treatment consisting of either a basal diet (97.28% corn), or the basal diet with 30% of either SBM or LO-SBM added at expense of corn. Each treatment was fed to eight replicates. All diets included a phytase (500 FTU/kg of diet) without consideration of energy or nutrient contribution. Feed was set to provide 2.5 times their energy maintenance requirement; that calculation assumed LO-SBM to have 10% more energy than the SBM diet, thus reducing feed offered by 3% as compared to pigs fed SBM diet.  Pigs were placed in metabolic cages and allowed fourteen days of adaptation, followed by four days of total collection of feces and urine.  The DE and ME values of the various feed ingredients were calculated by difference.
Results indicated that both the DE and ME values measured in corn were 3% less than book values (Nutrient Requirements of Swine, 2012).  The ME measured value in SBM was 13 and 6% less in grower and finisher pigs, respectively, than its book value (Nutrient Requirements of Swine, 2012).
In grower pigs, LO-SBM had 550 kcal of either DE or ME/kg of DM more than the conventional SBM (P<0.05). In finisher pigs, LO-SBM had 399 kcal of DE and 293 kcal of ME/kg of DM more (P<0.05) than SBM ingredient. In conclusion, LO-SBM had about 16.5% more energy in grower pigs and about 9.6% more energy in finisher pigs than conventional SBM.
To read more findings on the USDA finishing pig soybean meal study, see http://www.communication-insight.com/client/infosource/may13/index.html

Feed ingredient producer organizes pig symposium

On April 17, Orffa Additives, a feed ingredient producer, organized its yearly Benelux Symposium. Among the highlights for this year were amino acid nutrition in piglets and a completely new type of trace minerals for all animal species. Hydroxy trace minerals were recently approved in the European Union and the interest for monogastrics as well ruminants were discussed during the symposium.
Orffa hosted nutritionists, researches and other interested people from the animal nutrition industry. In total around 100 people attended the symposium, which was held in Etten-Leur in the Netherlands. Chairman of the day was Professor Geert Janssens from the University of Ghent in Belgium.
Further research on amino acid nutrition in piglets
The first presentation was held by Dr. Mathieu Gloaguen from the French National Institute for Agricultural Research. He presented the conclusion of his long term research on amino acids nutrition in piglets. Today, piglet diets are formulated with a low crude protein level to support gut health and to lower feed cost. Reducing the level of crude protein is possible, but the levels of essential amino acids should be controlled. Much is known about the first limiting amino acids but data of other essential amino acids, like phenylalanine et tyrosine, is often lacking. Gloaguen presented the latest update from his Ph.D. and post doctoral work in this field.
Meta-analysis for tryptophan in growing pigs
Last year, the tryptophan meta-analysis for piglets was discussed on the Orffa symposium. This year, Aude Simongiovanni from Ajinomoto Eurolysine S.A.S. presented a new meta-analysis for tryptophan, this time focusing on growing pigs. She also presented new trial work with results that were perfectly in line with her meta-analysis. The tryptophan requirement in growing pigs is confirmed in new trials.
Valine nutrition in sows
Dr. David Sola from Universitat Autonoma in Barcelona gave a presentation on amino acid nutrition in sows. Nutritionists are researching the requirements of sows and so also on amino acid usage. Sola shared his knowledge with focus on Valine with the audience.
Feedipedia, a worldwide reference on animal feed resources
Dr. Gilles Tran from the association Française de Zootechnie presented an internet database for animal feed resources. It can be used freely and gives qualitative and quantitative information.
Impact of trace elements on nutrient stability in feed and optimized trace element supply in monogastric animals
Last year, Orffa introduced a new form of trace minerals: hydroxy trace minerals. Meanwhile IntelliBond C (copper) and IntelliBond Z (zinc) are approved in the EU for use in all animal species. Dr. Detlef Kampf from Orffa Additives gave a presentation on this new form of trace minerals. Hydroxy trace minerals are used in the U.S. and have shown benefits both from technical and nutritional point of view. Kampf emphasized the benefits of IntelliBond in piglet and poultry nutrition, by showing the latest results from different studies.
Importance and solutions for an optimal trace mineral supply in ruminants
Jerry Spears from the North Carolina State University gave a very interesting presentation on the trace mineral supply in ruminants. Spears is a researcher in the field of trace elements. He gave an overview of trace elements in general and discussed intestinal behavior and uptake by the animal. He presented his research and experiences in general with hydroxy trace minerals in ruminants in comparison with inorganic and organic trace minerals.

Pig study finds on-farm feed blending improves profitability

The results of a three-year trial confirm previous theories that altering pig diets more frequently than the standard industry practice can improve feed conversion and lower feed cost per pound of gain, according to Feedlogic Corp. 
The study demonstrates the value of blending feed on farm to more closely match the dietary requirements of pigs. The trial was conducted at a 1,200-head commercial hog finishing site in Minnesota and showed a net improvement in profitability of over $3.75 per marketed pig by blending feed versus feeding standard phase diets. The savings came primarily from a reduced feed cost per pound of gain. They also provide strong evidence that the blending does not come at the cost of carcass premiums.
More than 12,000 pigs were involved in the trial over a total of 10 turns. The trial facility was set up with a FeedSaver blending system which allowed half of the pigs (approx. 600 head) to be fed the standard phase diets and the other half to receive a blend of two standard diets – typically the first and fourth diets used in the standard phase program. 
Feed for both groups was weighed through the FeedSaver system, allowing an accurate comparison of feed consumption between the groups. The blended diets were changed with every 10 lbs/head of consumption; the phase diets as per the standard feed budgets.
Other standard protocols followed through the trial:
• All pigs placed at the same time and sorted evenly between pens (24 pens per group). The average weight of both groups was used as starting weight for all.

• Feed pricing was based on average delivered cost of diets for each turn.

• Both groups were fed an identical diet with Paylean (ractopamine) for the last 14 to 21 days of a turn, as per the standard procedure in the producer’s commercial system.

• Standard marketing procedures were followed – the largest pigs from either group were shipped first. Pigs from each group were tattooed separately to allow tracking of carcass data by group.
Key results from the trial:
• Feed conversion for the blend-fed group was 5% better than the control group (2.56:1 vs. 2.69:1).

• Blend-fed pigs averaged slightly better average daily gain (1.92 lbs vs. 1.89 lbs for the control group).

• Carcass yield, lean percentage, and backfat thickness were all virtually identical between groups.

• The average carcass premium per pig (which included sort loss) was $5.23 for the blend-fed group and $5.24 for the control group.

• Feed cost per pound of gain averaged $0.27 for the blend-fed group vs. $0.29 for the control group. 
Aside from improving pig producer profitability, the blending concept demonstrated in the trial also has benefit to feed mills since it reduces the number of diets that need to be manufactured and simplifies the feed delivery process. The same diet can be stored in a feed bin for a longer period of time, making it easier for truck drivers to manage. 

New supplement may improve weanlings pigs gut health

Research on adding chitooligosaccharide (COS) to a piglet’s diet was conducted to investigate the effects of supplementing different molecular weights (MW) on intestinal morphology, selected microbial populations, volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations and the immune status of the weaned pig.
In the study, 28 piglets (24 days of age, 9.1 kg (± s.d. 0.80) live weight) were assigned to one of four dietary treatments for eight days and then were sacrified. The treatments were (1) control diet (0 ppm COS), (2) control diet plus 5 to 10 kDa COS, (3) control diet plus 10 to 50 kDa COS and (4) control diet plus 50 to 100 kDa COS. The COS was included in dietary treatments at a rate of 250 mg/kg. Tissue samples were taken from the duodenum, jejunum and ileum for morphological measurements. Digesta samples were taken from the proximal colon to measure lactobacilli and Escherichia coli populations and digest samples were taken from the caecum and proximal colon for VFA analysis. Gene expression levels for specific cytokines were investigated in colonic tissue of the pig.
Supplementation of different MW of COS did no show significant effect on pig performance during the post-weaning period (days 0 to 8; P > 0.05). The inclusion of COS at all MW in the diet significantly reduced fecal scores compared with the control treatment (P < 0.01). Pigs fed the 10 to 50 kDa COS had a higher villous height (P < 0.05) and villous height:crypt depth ratio (P < 0.05) in the duodenum and the jejunum compared with the control treatment. Pigs fed the 5 to 10 kDa COS had a lower lactobacilli population (P < 0.05) and E. coli population (P < 0.05) in the colon compared with the control group. Pigs offered the 5 to 10 kDa COS had significantly lower levels of acetic acid and valeric acid compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The inclusion of different MW of COS had no significant effect on the expression of the cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and IL-10 in the gastrointestinal tract of the weaned pig.
The current results indicate that a lower MW of 5 to 10 kDa COS possessed an antibacterial activity, while the higher MW of 10 to 50 kDa was optimum for enhancing the intestinal structure.

AM Walsh, T Sweeney, B Bahar, B Flynn, JV O’Doherty. 2012. The effect of chitooligosaccharide supplementation on intestinal morphology, selected microbial populations, volatile fatty acid concentrations and immune gene expression in the weaned pig. Animal, 6(10):1620-1626. doi:10.1017/S1751731112000481.

Summer sow management critical to maintaining productivity

As temperatures rise in the summer months, proper sow management is critical as producers work to achieve 30 pigs per sow per year, as reduced feed intake caused from heat stress directly diminishes sow body condition and rebreeding success.
Dr. Gawain Willis, director of nutritional services for Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC, said that elevated ambient temperatures make achieving high feed intake in lactation a real management challenge. “If sows do not maintain high nutrient intake, they will lose too much weight in lactation and may fail to rebreed quickly,” said Willis. “This can lead to high sow culling rates, which can mean too many sows are culled before they return sufficient income to cover their original investment costs. If sows that lose too much weight do breed back on time, future litter size may be compromised.”
Added attention to temperature control in facilities can help manage these challenges, and sow feed intake can be also maintained by adjusting the ration. Willis said he recommends decreasing the fiber content of the ration and/or increasing levels of added fat. These two ration changes lower the heat produced by the sow during digestion, thus lowering her body temperature and the amount of heat she has to dissipate and helping to maintain consumption. Heat stress can also be prevented by routinely feeding sows during the coolest parts of the day. “Make sure sows are full-fed and that they have feed available from late evening to early morning,” said Willis, adding that sow movement should be avoided during the day. “Sows are most effective in dissipating heat during overnight hours when the air is cooler.”

Lesaffre presents symposium on pig nutrition

French feed additive firm Lesaffre held its second international symposium about nutrition in Lille, northern France, on November 8-9. After a first symposium dedicated to ruminant in 2010, Lesaffre chose this year to focus on pig nutrition, specifically “the benefits of live yeast in pig feed or how nutrition helps to improve health."
The symposium attracted more than 200 nutritionists from feed firms and research centers. Presentations ranged from very fundamental data regarding microbial interface in the gastrointestinal tract of animals such as that presented by Andrew van Kessel from Saskatchewan University; immune links between digestive, pulmonary and mammary mucosal immune responses to improve protection against the pathogen, presented by Henri Salmon, Inra; to very practical day-to-day actions to be taken on farms either in Czech Republic or in France, as presented by Jan Bernardy, Czech Republic and Philippe Le Coz, France.
Some results connected with living yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae SC 47 had been presented either on planetary sessions or on posters. Its utilization had been shown to have positive effects on productive performance after weaning. Rosil Lizardo, Irta, Spain, recommended, for example, its utilization on high fiber piglet diets.

Link between pig nutrition, microflora and the host studied

Andrew van Kessel, Saskatchewan University, Canada, spoke about the link between pig nutrition, microflora and the host at the Lesaffre symposium held in Lille, France, November 8-9.
According to van Kessel, the abundant and taxonomically diverse microbial community colonizing the pig gastrointestinal tract evolves due to environmental and feed factors. Because each of the species of organisms in the intestine possess different capabilities and needs, the relative proportion of different species change in response to a variety of factors including age, diet composition, rearing environment and possibly genotype. Chemical composition of the diet is a major determinant of microbial composition since dietary nutriments are a major substrate for microbial fermentation. Changes in feed chemistry (ingredient selection) not only affect the species that will be advantaged, but also the type and abundance of fermentation products. Both composition and species changes are likely to be important in gut health and nutrition through direct competitive exclusion of pathogens, recognition by host receptors altering the gene expression as substrates for host metabolic pathways, or as toxins.
Butyrate, for example, has been identified as an energy source for colonocytes, an anti-inflammatory factor and an inhibitor of virulence genes in Salmonella. In contrast, ammonia is a colonocyte toxin, which might damage the epithelium increasing host susceptibility to disease.
Recently, van Kessel focused on the interactions of fiber and low quality protein associated with by-products use in pigs. High levels of non-digested protein from lower quality feed sources is available for fermentation as an energy source in the distal gut. There, it favors putrefactive bacterial species and yielding protein fermentation products. Dietary fiber can displace protein fermentation as an energy source in favor of protein utilization for microbial biomass synthesis (microbial protein, nucleic acid), reducing liberation of putative toxins. Using heat-treated soybean meal as a model protein, he observed increased concentrations of protein fermentation products in the colon, which were reduced by the addition of dietary fiber (sugar beet pulp, wheat bran).
High fermentable protein diets were associated with increased in markers of colon inflammation (cell turnover, mucin, pro-inflammatory cytokine expression) but limited changes in epithelial permeability. Interestingly, although fiber reduced several protein fermentation products, there was no amelioration of inflammatory response, suggesting as yet unidentified fermentation products or other factors mediated inflammation. Whether the responses lead to disease susceptibility and whether different fiber sources or feed additives (e.g. probiotics) can negate these outcomes will be subject to further investigation.

Colibacillosis in pigs reviewed at Lesaffre symposium

Eric Cox, Ghent University, Belgium, spoke about the link between pig nutrition, microflora and the host at the Lesaffre symposium held in Lille, France, November 8-9.
According to Cox, 11% of all piglet deaths in post-weaning are due to diarrhea. It causes the death of +/-10 million piglets every year across the world. Around half of the diarrheas are due to E. coli. And no one knows for sure how much oedema provoked by E. coli costs pig producers. In newborn piglets, severe watery diarrhea can be caused by enterotoxigenic E. coli, ETEC, producing F4 (K88), F5 (K00), F41 or F6 (P987) fibriae (colonization factor). Colibacillose in weaned piglets is the result of infection with F4+ or F18+ ETEC or F18+ verotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC). Beside fibriae, ETEC produce thermolabile (LT), thermostable a (STa) and/or b (STb) enterotoxins which induce the secretory diarrhea resulting in weight loss, growth retardation and mortality, whereas sVTEC produce the Shiga toxin STX2e that binds to globotetraosylceraminde on endothelial cells, resulting in oedema, hemorrhage and micro thrombosis leading to nervous signs and mortality.
Newborn animals can be protected via the milk by vaccination of the sow against neonatal colibacillosis. This lactogenic immunity ceases at weaning, making weaned piglets highly susceptible again for enteropathogens. Weaned piglets lack or weakly express receptors on their enterocytes for F5, F6 and F41 fimbriae, but not for F4. The latter are highly expressed in the jejunum of newly weaned piglets making them highly sensible to F4+ ETEC infections. Three serological variants of F4 had been identified.
Piglets can have receptors on their enterocytes for adhesion of one or more of these variants, but receptor expressions can also be completely absent, resulting in resistance against infection. One of those variant (F4ac) is highly immunogenic fimbria that, upon oral administration, results in a specific intestinal IgA response and a protective mucosal immunity against an infection with a virulent F4ac+ETEC strain. Regarding the F18 strains, Cox and his colleagues had investigated the genetic population around the world and had been able to prove that 96% of all the strains have the same adhesion (FedF) and the same receptors on the villous enterocytes, which give a good basis to develop a worldwide management of the disease it provokes. Scientists had identified very recently these receptors as blood group O/A sugars. This identification is very important as it opens a door to fight against the adhesion on the mucosal sites and differ from strain to strain. If the F18 are glycolipides, the F4 receptors had been identified as glycoproteins.
Receptor for F18 fimbriae are absent in newborn piglets and gradually appear at the age of one week, resulting in sufficient receptors in three-week-old piglets for colonization with the F18+ ETEC and/or VTEC strains. Piglets without stress sensitivity gen (FUT1gen) are also without those receptors, a fact that militate to a genetic investigation to decrease diarrhea sensitivity in piglets.
F18 fimbriae are not very immunogenic. Oral administration of those strains does not result in immune response. Prevention of post weaning colibacillosis is difficult and should be based on prevention of predisposing factors, high hygiene and stimulation of the immune system (for F4 challenges). Although oral vaccines are on the market in the U.S. and Canada, there is doubt on their efficacy, and there is a need for developing vaccines, which can be applied during the suckling period.
Other differences had been lightened between F4 and F18 infection; the excretion of coli is quite different. F4 is excreted very soon after infection and thus is easiest to treat on the farm.

JSR’s 22nd Technical Conference preparing pig producers for ‘Next Agricultural Revolution’

JSR Genetics director Dr Grant Walling – “We need to share our knowledge and expertise.”

In spite of consistent technological advances and a confident belief that pig production is well placed to meet the challenge of increasing global demands, there remain many unknowns that the pork production sector must still try to address.
This message emerged from the 22^nd Annual Technical Conference arranged by JSR Farms, “The Next Agricultural Revolution” – and it left delegates with plenty of food for thought.

Known, unknown issues
Speaking at a briefing before the event at Nottingham University’s Sutton Bonnington Campus in England, Lord Christopher Haskins, former rural adviser to Tony’ Blair’s government and non-executive director of JSR Farms, adapted a quote from Donald Rumsfeld, former US secretary of Defence, when he said that there were the known knowns (things we know about), known unknowns (things we know we don’t know) and unknown unknowns – and predicted they would all have a bearing on agriculture and how it evolved.
Of the known issues, the pig sector understands the increasing demand for food and that new technology will continue to advance and increase efficiency to help meet these challenges.
Climate change and agricultural reform are known unknowns, commented Lord Haskins. “These are happening, but as yet we’re uncertain of the outcome.”
Of the unknown unknowns, Lord Haskins listed global conflict, natural disasters and a breakdown of animal health. There was also the question of sustainability.

Canada’s pig crisis
Opening the conference, Lee Whittington, president and CEO of Canada’s Prairie Swine Centre in Saskatchewan, commented that outside influences were the key reasons for Canada’s pig industry crisis.
Following 25 years of significant growth, Canada’s pig sector was battered by global recession, the loss of a substantial export market and legislation governing environmental issues, green energy and country-of-origin labeling.
In 2007, the Canadian pig industry accounted for less than 2% of world pork production, but provided 20% of world pork exports at 1.03 million tonnes. Today it is a very different story.
The Canadian pig industry also lost about 20% of its sow herd since 2006 and that has quashed investment in trade and research.
“However, what we knew then and still know today is that Canada remains one of the most efficient places to produce pig meat in the world,” said Whittington. “We have the infrastructure, the technology and capacity for growth and the flexibility to adapt to change going forward. What we didn’t know was how politics and foreign exchange rates could affect our industry and they have had a very negative impact on our whole industry.”
A significant “unknown” was the effect of U.S. country-of-origin labeling, COOL, legislation on Canada’s weaner market. The industry had established a significant export trade for 7kg pigs, which fuelled massive expansion.

Lee Whittington, president and CEO of Canada’s Prairie Swine Centre – “Canada remains one of the most efficient places to produce pig meat in the world.”

“These pigs were shipped as 7kg piglets to Midwest farms, fed on American corn, reared by American producers, and processed by American packers. They were a valuable product for us and the U.S. pig sector, but once COOL came in they were devalued and this coupled with falling currency rates meant the trade just collapsed,” said Whittington.

Pig feeding strategies
Coming in from another angle, Mick Hazzeldine, of Premier Nutrition, commented that although science has enabled nutritionists to fine-tune pig feeding strategies, they still need to be innovative with formulations and reevaluate nutritional densities.
“We know cost is our main concern, but it’s not the only consideration. These days’ formulations are more specific and defined and nutritionists need a far greater understanding of the raw materials they are using in diets,” said Hazzeldine.
“The energy value of wheat is between 55% and 60%, barley is around 20%, but what are the effects of fiber, hard and soft varieties, starch, viscosity and the rye gene? There is still a lot we don’t fully understand.”
The type of raw materials used in animal feed has also changed significantly as a result of increased competition from the human food sector and price sensitivity. Change also is being driven by the escalating cost of fats, which could mean a switch to lower nutrient density diets in the future.

Global pork production trends
Finishing on a positive note, Dr Grant Walling, director of JSR Genetics, commented that global pork production appeares to be in a fortunate position. It would have to increase output by 110% during the next 40 years to meet increasing demand, according to the UK government’s “Foresight Report” on the future of food and farming.
Although this sounds ideal, in reality most of this pork would not come from the current high-output Western pig industries, but from the large pig populations now developing in growing agricultural economies, such as China, Brazil and some African states.
Dr Walling said that to satisfy increased demand, Western pig production would need 55.7 pigs weaned per sow a year by 2050 – clearly an impossibility.
“We cannot carry on doing what we are doing. There are too many constraints – biological, environmental and legislative. Instead, we will have to invest our technology in these new industries and share our knowledge and expertise,” said Dr Walling.
“If countries like China, Russia and Brazil could achieve UK performance they could collectively increase output by at least 60%. On global scale that represents a 32.3% increase in world pork supplies, a significant contribution,” he added.
Biotechnology also has the ability to advance agriculture in developing nations at a far swifter pace that it has in the West, mainly because there is less resistance to novel technologies such as cloning and genetic modification.