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The objective of this experiment was to test the hypothesis that increased dietary concentrations of a novel E. coli phytase (Smizyme) improve the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of energy, dry matter (DM), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and micro minerals in corn-soybean meal based diets fed to growing pigs. A total of 56 growing pigs (initial body weight: 13.6 ± 1.15 kg) were allotted to a randomized complete block design with 7 diets. Pigs were divided into 2 blocks with 28 pigs and 4 replicate pigs per diet in each block, for a total of 8 replicate pigs per diet. A positive control without phytase was formulated to contain 0.70% Ca and 0.33% standardized total tract digestible (STTD) P. A negative control diet that was similar to the positive control diet with the exception that the concentration of Ca and STTD P were reduced to 0.50 and 0.16%, respectively, was formulated by removing the dicalcium phosphate and increasing the concentration of limestone. Five additional diets that were similar to the negative control diet, but contained 250, 500, 1000, 1500, or 2500 units of microbial phytase per kg were also used. The ATTD of gross energy (GE), dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), Ca, P, sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) in each diet were calculated. Data were analyzed using contrast statements. Data for ATTD and retention of P and Ca, were also analyzed using a single broken-line model. Results indicated that N retention and concentration of digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) of diets increased (linear, P

Level of feed intake did not affect the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) in gestating sows. Gestating sows had reduced ATTD of Ca and P compared with growing gilts. Formulating diets for sows using values obtained from growing pigs, therefore, may result in inaccuracies.

The objective was to test the hypothesis that increasing inclusion levels of full fat rice bran (FFRB) or defatted rice bran (DFRB) are not detrimental to growth or carcass characteristics, longissimus muscle (LM) quality, or fat quality when fed to growing-finishing pigs. A total of 224 barrows and gilts were randomly allotted to 7 treatments, with 4 pigs per pen and 8 pen replicates per treatment. Pigs had an average initial BW of 28.2 ± 4.1 kg and a 3-phase feeding program was used. A basal diet containing corn and soybean meal, 3 diets containing corn, soybean meal, and 10, 20, or 30% FFRB, and 3 diets containing corn, soybean meal, and 10, 20, or 30% DFRB were formulated within each phase. Daily feed allotments and pig BW at the start of the experiment and at the conclusion of each phase were recorded. On the last day of the experiment, 1 pig per pen was harvested and carcass characteristics, LM quality, and fat quality were determined. For the overall experimental period, no effects of dietary treatments were observed for average daily gain. However, average daily feed intake (ADFI) decreased (linear, P < 0.05) and gain to feed ratio (G:F) increased (linear, P < 0.05) for pigs fed diets with increasing concentrations of FFRB. In contrast, ADFI increased linearly (P < 0.05) and G:F decreased (linear, P < 0.05) as DFRB was included in the diets. There were no effects of dietary treatments on LM quality. The length of the bellies decreased (linear and quadratic, P < 0.05) as the inclusion of FFRB or DFRB increased in the diets. The concentration of crude fat in the adipose tissue of pigs increased linearly (P < 0.05) as the concentration of FFRB or DFRB increased in the diets. The concentration of saturated fatty acids in the adipose tissue of pigs fed diets containing FFRB decreased (linear, P < 0.05), whereas the concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) increased (linear, P < 0.05). In contrast, addition of DFRB did not affect the concentration of fatty acids in adipose tissues. In conclusion, 30% FFRB included in diets for growing-finishing pigs may improve G:F without affecting carcass characteristics or LM quality with the exception that PUFA in adipose tissues will increase. However, inclusion of DFRB in diets for growing-finishing pigs will reduce G:F without affecting the LM quality or composition of adipose tissues.

An experiment was conducted to determine the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of CP and AA in brewers rice, full-fat rice bran (FFRB), defatted rice bran (DFRB), peanut meal, sesame meal, rapeseed meal, rapeseed expellers, soybean expellers, cassava meal, and bakery meal fed to young growing pigs. Twenty-two barrows (initial BW: 14.09 ± 1.48 kg) were surgically fitted with a T-cannula in the distal ileum and randomly allotted to a replicated 11 × 4 incomplete Latin square design with 11 diets and four 7-d periods in each square. Eleven experimental diets were prepared and test ingredients were the sole source of CP and AA in 10 diets and the eleventh diet was a N-free diet used to measure basal ileal endogenous losses of CP and AA. Chromic oxide (0.4%) was included in all diets as an indigestible marker and ileal digesta were collected on day 6 and 7 of each period. Results indicated that the SID of CP and AA was greatest (P < 0.05) in brewers rice and sesame meal and least (P < 0.05) in cassava meal. The SID of indispensable AA was greater (P < 0.05) in sesame meal compared with all other ingredients except brewers rice. Full-fat rice bran had greater (P < 0.05) SID of Arg, Ile, Leu, Lys, and Met compared with DFRB. The SID of CP and most AA was not different among rapeseed meal, rapeseed expellers, and soybean expellers. Bakery meal had the least (P < 0.05) SID of most AA compared with all other ingredients, with the exception of cassava meal. The concentration of standardized ileal digestible CP was greater (P < 0.05) in sesame meal and peanut meal (482.32 and 452.44 g/kg DM, respectively) than in all other ingredients. Soybean expellers had the greatest (P < 0.05) concentration of standardized ileal digestible Lys (22.98 g/kg DM) followed by rapeseed meal (16.11 g/kg DM) and rapeseed expellers (16.17 g/kg DM). Cassava meal and bakery meal had the least (P < 0.05) concentration of standardized ileal digestible CP and most AA compared with the other ingredients. Concentrations of standardized ileal digestible CP and AA in brewers rice, FFRB, and DFRB were less (P < 0.05) than in rapeseed meal, rapeseed expellers, and soybean expellers. In conclusion, peanut meal and sesame meal have greater concentrations of standardized ileal digestible CP and most AA, with the exception of Lys, than other ingredients. Rapeseed meal, rapeseed expellers, and soybean expellers have the greatest concentrations of standardized ileal digestible Lys.

This experiment was designed to determine nutrient composition and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of GE, DM, OM, and NDF and the concentration of DE and ME in 10 sources of wheat middlings and in 1 source of red dog that were obtained from different flour mills in the United States. Twelve growing pigs (initial BW: 31.0 ± 1.0 kg) were randomly allotted to a 12 × 8 Youden square design with 12 dietary treatments and eight 14 d periods. Pigs were individually housed in metabolism crates for total collection of feces and urine. A basal diet based on corn and soybean meal, and 11 diets containing corn, soybean meal, and 39.4% of one of the 10 sources of wheat middlings or of red dog were formulated. The ATTD of GE, DM, OM, and NDF in all diets was calculated using the direct procedure, and the ATTD of GE, DM, OM, and NDF in each source of wheat middlings or red dog was calculated by difference. Values for DE and ME were calculated as well. The average concentration of CP was 17.67% in wheat midlings and 17.0% in red dog, and the concentration of acid hydrolyzed ether extract (AEE) and total dietary fiber (TDF) was 2.44 and 13.90% in red dog, but 4.07 and 36.45% in wheat middlings. Red dog also contained more starch (42.98%) than wheat middlings (20.28%). Red dog had greater bulk density (498.5 g/L) and smaller particle size (146 µm) compared with wheat middlings (315.1 g/L and 783 µm). The average ATTD of GE, DM, OM, and NDF in wheat middlings (67.2%, 71.2%, 72.9%, and 53.0%, respectively) was less (P < 0.05) than in red dog (79.35%, 82.9%, 86.6%, and 58.7%, respectively). The average concentrations of DE and ME in wheat middlings were 2,990 and 2,893 kcal/kg DM, and these values were less (P < 0.05) than the DE and ME in red dog (3,408 and 3,292 kcal/kg DM). In conclusion, wheat middlings contains more fiber and less starch than red dog and the ATTD of GE and nutrients is greater in red dog than in wheat middlings. As a consequence, concentrations of DE and ME are greater in red dog than in wheat middlings.

An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that inclusion of the direct fed microbial Clostridium butyricum in diets for weanling pigs will improve growth performance, systemic immune function, microbiota composition, and gut morphology in weaned pigs. A total of 275 newly weaned pigs (20 ± 2 d of age) with an average initial BW of 6.4 ± 0.8 kg were allotted to a randomized complete block design with 11 pens per treatment. Diets included a positive control diet containing Carbadox, a negative control diet without Carbadox, and three treatment diets in which 1,250 × 108 cfu/kg, 2,500 × 108 cfu/kg, or 3,500 × 108 cfu/kg of C. butyricum was added to the negative control diet. A two-phase feeding program was used (phase 1, 14 d; phase 2, 21 d). At the conclusion of the experiment (day 35), a blood sample was collected from one pig per pen (11 pigs per treatment) and this pig was then euthanized and digesta and tissues samples were collected. Results indicated that for the overall phase, pigs fed the positive control diet had greater (P < 0.05) ADG and ADFI and tended (P = 0.064) to have greater final BW than pigs fed the negative control diet. The ADG and G:F increased and then decreased as increasing doses of C. butyricum were included in the diet (quadratic, P < 0.05). The concentration of tumor necrosis factor-α was less (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the positive control diet compared with pigs fed the negative control diet or diets containing C. butyricum. Crypt depth tended (P = 0.08) to be less in pigs fed the negative control diet compared with pigs fed the positive control diet and villus height tended to increase as the doses of C. butyricum increased in the diets (quadratic, P = 0.08). Villus height also tended (P = 0.084) to be greater in pigs fed diets containing C. butyricum compared with pigs fed the positive control diet. Crypt depth increased as the dose of C. butyricum increased (quadratic, P < 0.05) and villus width at the bottom tended to increase (linear, P = 0.072) as the dose of C. butyricum increased in the diet. Alpha and beta diversity indices of ileal and colonic microbiota were not affected by diet. In conclusion, addition of 1,250 × 108 cfu/kg of C. butyricum, but not greater levels, to diets fed to weanling pigs increased growth performance and tended to increase villus height and crypt depth, but changes in the abundance of intestinal microbiota were not observed.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of CP and AA and concentrations of DE and ME in soy protein concentrate (SPC) ground to 3 particle sizes and in soybean meal and fish meal when fed to weanling pigs. An additional experiment was conducted to determine effects on growth performance and blood characteristics of including SPC in diets fed to weanling pigs. In Exp. 1, a N-free diet and diets containing soybean meal, fish meal, or SPC ground to a mean particle size of 70, 180, or 700 μm as the only source of AA were fed to 6 barrows (initial BW: 12.90 ± 1.51 kg) that had a T-cannula installed in the distal ileum. In Exp. 2, 36 barrows (13.70 ± 1.86 kg BW) were allotted to a randomized complete block design with 6 diets and 6 replicate pigs per diet. A corn-based diet and diets containing corn and soybean meal, fish meal, or SPC ground to the 3 particle sizes were used. In Exp. 3, 160 pigs (initial BW: 7.06 ± 1.07 kg) were allotted to 4 dietary treatments with 8 pens per treatment and 5 pigs per pen. Pigs were fed one of 4 diets during phase 1 (d 0 to 14 postweaning), and a common diet in phase 2 (d 14 to 28 postweaning). The 4 diets used in phase 1 included a control diet containing fish meal and spray-dried plasma protein, and diets in which fish meal, spray-dried plasma protein, or both fish meal and spray-dried plasma protein were replaced by SPC ground to 180 μm. Results of Exp. 1 indicated that the SID of His, Lys, and Thr tended ( < 0.10) to be greater in SPC ground to 180 μm than in soybean meal, and the SID of Arg, Ile, Phe, and Trp was greater ( < 0.05) in SPC ground to 70 or 180 μm than in soybean meal. There were no differences in the DE and ME (DM-basis) among corn, soybean meal, fish meal, and SPC ground to 70, 180, or 700 μm. Results of Exp. 3 indicated that growth performance of pigs fed the 4 experimental diets in phase 1 was not different in phase 1, phase 2, or in the entire experiment. In conclusion, grinding SPC to approximately 180 µm maximizes SID of indispensable AA without impacting ME and diets based on soybean meal and SPC as the main protein sources may be fed to pigs during the initial 2 wk postweaning without affecting growth performance.

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of increased concentrations of full fat rice bran (FFRB) or defatted rice bran (DFRB) in diets without or with supplementation of an exogenous xylanase on growth performance and blood characteristics in weanling pigs. A total of 532 pigs (9.3 ± 0.5 kg initial BW) were allotted to 14 diets in 4 blocks and 8 replicate pens per diet in a randomized complete block design. There were 4 or 5 pigs per pen. A basal diet containing corn, soybean meal, and whey powder and 6 diets containing corn, soybean meal, whey powder, and 10, 20, or 30% FFRB or 10, 20, or 30% DFRB were used. Seven additional diets that were similar to the initial 7 diets with the exception that they also contained 16,000 units/kg of microbial xylanase were also formulated. On the last day of the 23-d experiment, 2 blood samples were collected from 1 pig in each pen. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IgA, and peptide YY (PYY) were measured in plasma samples and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total protein, and albumin were measured in serum samples. Initial and final BW were not affected by the inclusion level of FFRB or DFRB or by the addition of xylanase. The ADFI linearly decreased ( < 0.05) as inclusion of FFRB increased in diets and there was a tendency ( = 0.08) for reduced ADFI as DFRB was increased in the diets. Pigs fed diets containing DFRB had greater ADFI ( < 0.05) than pigs fed diets containing FFRB. The ADG increased and then decreased (quadratic, < 0.05) with increasing level of FFRB or DFRB in the diets. The G:F linearly and quadratically increased ( < 0.05) as the inclusion of FFRB increased, and the G:F was greater ( < 0.05) in pigs fed diets containing FFRB than in pigs fed diets containing DFRB. The concentration of BUN linearly decreased ( < 0.05) when pigs were fed diets containing increasing levels of FFRB or DFRB. There was a tendency for the concentrations of TNF-α and PYY to linearly decrease ( = 0.09 and = 0.075, respectively) as the inclusion of FFRB increased in the diet. In conclusion, ADG of weanling pigs was not affected by at least 20% FFRB or DFRB and inclusion of 30% DFRB had no effect on the G:F whereas 30% FFRB increased the G:F. However, microbial xylanase did not influence growth performance under the conditions of this experiment and there was minimal influence of rice coproducts or xylanase on blood characteristics.

Since the 1950’ties, most diets fed to commercially raised pigs have been formulated based on plant feed ingredients and without using animal feed sources. Cereal grains have historically been the main stable in pig diets, but because pigs require nutrients rather than specific feed ingredients, it is possible to provide a well-balanced diet that includes all necessary nutrients using a large number of different feed ingredients. Many of these ingredients are co-products from the human food industry, which often are excellent sources of nutrients. Co-products from other industrial processes, such as production of fuel ethanol, are also available and may be used in diet formulations. Over the last few years, new fermentation or processing technologies have been introduced as a way to improve the nutritional value of certain feed ingredients, which may broaden the usage of such ingredients. However, regardless of the ingredient being fed, the value of the ingredient is primarily determined by the concentration of metabolizable or net energy, the concentration and digestibility of indispensable amino acids, and the concentration and digestibility of phosphorus because energy, amino acids, and phosphorus are the most expensive components of diets fed to pigs. Ingredients may also contain anti-nutritional factors that limit the inclusion rate in the diet to all or some categories of pigs and knowledge about acceptable inclusion levels of ingredients is, therefore, required for successful use of these ingredients in diets fed to pigs. Inclusion rate of some feed ingredients may also be limited because of effects on the final products that are marketed from pigs and because any changes in the composition or characteristics of the final products may reduce the value of the product, knowledge about effects on final products are also important. Thus, for successful usage of feed ingredients in diets fed to pigs, it is required that knowledge about the chemical composition, the digestibility of energy and nutrients, and acceptable inclusion rates in diets fed to different categories of pigs is available. It is the objective of the present review to provide this knowledge for a number of plant feed ingredients that are commonly used in diets fed to pigs.

The objective of this experiment was to test the hypothesis that the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of DM, OM, fiber, and GE by weanling pigs and the concentration of DE and ME in full-fat rice bran (FFRB), defatted rice bran (DFRB), brown rice, and broken rice is improved if microbial xylanase is added to the diet. Eighty pigs (13.6 ± 0.8 kg initial BW) were allotted to 10 diets with 8 replicate pigs per diet in a randomized complete block design with 2 blocks of 40 pigs. A basal diet based on corn and soybean meal and 4 diets containing corn, soybean meal, and each of the 4 rice coproducts were formulated. The rice coproducts and corn and soybean meal were the only sources of energy in the diets. Five additional diets that were similar to the initial 5 diets with the exception that they also contained 16,000 units of xylanase (Econase XT-25; AB Vista, Marlborough, UK) were also formulated. All diets also contained 1,500 units of microbial phytase (Quantum Blue 5G; AB Vista). The DE and ME and the ATTD of DM, OM, fiber, and GE in diets and ingredients were calculated using the direct method and the difference method, respectively. Results indicated that the concentrations of DE and ME (DM basis) in FFRB and DFRB increased ( < 0.05) if xylanase was used. Broken rice had a greater ( < 0.05) concentration of DE and ME than FFRB and DFRB if no xylanase was added to the diets, but if xylanase was used, no differences in ME among FFRB, brown rice, and broken rice were observed. The ATTD of DM was greater ( < 0.05) in ingredients with xylanase than in ingredients without xylanase and there was a tendency ( = 0.067) for the ATTD of OM to be greater if xylanase was used. The ATTD of NDF in FFRB was greater ( < 0.05) when xylanase was added than if no xylanase was used, whereas the ATTD of NDF in DFRB was not affected by the addition of xylanase. In conclusion, if no xylanase was used, broken rice and brown rice have greater concentrations of DE and ME than FFRB and DFRB, and these values were not increased by microbial xylanase. However, xylanase increased the concentration of DE and ME (DM basis) in FFRB and DFRB.

The first objective of this experiment was to determine carbohydrate composition and coefficients of in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) in brown rice, broken rice, full fat rice bran (FFRB), defatted rice bran (DFRB), and rice mill feed. The second objective was to test the hypothesis that IVDMD and IVOMD in rice coproducts are negatively correlated with the concentration of fiber in the ingredients. Three samples of broken rice, brown rice, FFRB, DFRB, and rice mill feed were used. Each sample was analyzed in duplicate for gross energy (GE), dry matter (DM), ash, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), crude protein (CP), and acid hydrolyzed ether extract (AEE). The 5 rice coproducts were also analyzed for content of starch, and the fiber concentration was quantified as total non-starch polysaccharides (T-NSP), cellulose, soluble and insoluble non-cellulosic polysaccharides (NCP), and Klason lignin. In vitro total tract digestibility of DM and IVOMD were determined in 3 samples of each ingredient using a 3 step procedure. Correlation coefficients between IVDMD or IVOMD and fiber fractions were determined. Results indicated that broken rice and brown rice contained more than 80.0% starch, FFRB and DFRB both contained 26.7% starch, whereas rice mill feed only contained 11.2% starch. The concentration of soluble-non cellulosic polysaccharides (S-NCP) was in the range from 0.1% in brown rice to 1.9% in rice mill feed, whereas insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) was 1.5% in broken rice and 52.9% in rice mill feed. The insoluble non-cellulosic non-starch polysaccharide (I-NCP) fraction in all rice coproducts consisted mainly of arbinoxylan and the arabinose to xylose ratio varied from 1.37 in broken rice to 0.27 in rice mill feed. Broken rice and brown rice had greater (P < 0.05) IVDMD and IVOMD than the other rice coproducts. Concentrations of ADF, NDF, ADL, I-NCP, cellulose, T-NSP, SDF, IDF, TDF were all negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with IVDMD and IVOMD. In conclusion, arabinoxylan is the main polysaccharide in the NSP fraction of rice coproducts. Arabinoxylan in broken rice, brown rice, FFRB, and DFRB has a different structure and is more soluble, than arabinoxylan in rice mill feed, but IVDMD and IVOMD are negatively correlated with the concentration of fiber in rice coproducts.

A number of feed additives are marketed to assist in boosting the pigs' immune system, regulate gut microbiota, and reduce negative impacts of weaning and other environmental challenges. The most commonly used feed additives include acidifiers, zinc and copper, prebiotics, direct-fed microbials, yeast products, nucleotides, and plant extracts. Inclusion of pharmacological levels of zinc and copper, certain acidifiers, and several plant extracts have been reported to result in improved pig performance or improved immune function of pigs. It is also possible that use of prebiotics, direct-fed microbials, yeast, and nucleotides may have positive impacts on pig performance, but results have been less consistent and there is a need for more research in this area. Keywords: Acidifiers, Direct-fed microbials, Minerals, Plant extracts, Prebiotics, Pigs

The global production of paddy rice exceeds 700 million tons per year. The primary objective of rice production is to produce polished white rice for human consumption, but in this process, several co-products that may be fed to livestock are also generated. The objective of this experiment was to determine the coefficient of ileal apparent digestibility (CIAD) and the coefficient of ileal standardized digestibility (CISD) of crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AA) in 2 sources of full fat rice bran (FFRB), 1 source of defatted rice bran (DFRB), and in broken rice when fed to growing pigs. Seven finishing pigs with an average initial body weight of 70.1 ± 6.3 kg were used. Pigs were surgically fitted with a T-cannula in the distal ileum. Animals were allotted to a 7 × 7 Latin square design with 7 diets and 7 periods. Seven diets were prepared, but 1 diet was unrelated to this experiment; therefore only 6 diets were used in this experiment. One diet was based on bakery meal, and 1 diet was based on broken rice. Three additional diets were formulated by mixing bakery meal and each of the 2 sources of FFRB (FFRB-1 and FFRB-2) or DFRB. The last diet was an N-free that was used to estimate the basal ileal endogenous losses of CP and AA. The CIAD of CP and AA in bakery meal and broken rice was calculated using the direct procedure, but the CIAD of CP and AA in both sources of FFRB and in DFRB was calculated using the difference procedure. The CIAD and CISD of CP and AA in broken rice were greater (P

The objectives of this experiment were to determine the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and the standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of P and the effect of microbial phytase on ATTD and STTD of P in full-fat rice bran (FFRB), defatted rice bran (DFRB), brown rice, broken rice, and rice mill feed when fed to pigs. Ninety-six barrows (initial BW of 19.4 ± 1.4 kg) were allotted to 12 diets with 8 replicate pigs per diet in a randomized complete block design. A basal diet based on corn and soybean meal was formulated. Five additional diets containing corn, soybean meal, and each rice coproduct were also formulated, and the ratio between corn and soybean meal in these diets was similar to that in the basal diet. Six additional diets that were similar to the initial 6 diets with the exception that 1,000 units of microbial phytase were added to the diets were also formulated. The ATTD and STTD of P were calculated for each diet using the direct procedure, and the ATTD and STTD of P in each rice coproduct were calculated using the difference procedure. Results of the experiment indicated that the concentration of P in feces was reduced (P < 0.05) from pigs fed diets with microbial phytase compared with pigs fed diets without phytase. No differences were observed between the basal diet and the broken rice diet, but the ATTD and the STTD of P in those diets was greater (P < 0.05) than in all other diets both without and with phytase. Among the rice coproducts, the greatest (P < 0.05) ATTD and STTD of P were observed for broken rice regardless of inclusion of phytase. If no microbial phytase was used, the values for STTD of P in brown rice, FFRB, DFRB, and rice mill feed were not different, but if microbial phytase was included in the diet, ATTD and STTD of P in brown rice was greater (P < 0.05) than in FFRB, DFRB, and rice mill feed. The STTD of P in brown rice, FFRB, and rice mill feed was greater (P < 0.05) if microbial phytase was used than if no microbial phytase was used. Addition of microbial phytase to the diets also increased (P < 0.05) the ATTD of Ca regardless of the rice coproducts used. In conclusion, the STTD of P is greater in broken rice than in all other rice coproducts. The STTD of P in brown rice, FFRB, DFRB, and rice mill feed is relatively low due to the high concentration of phytate in these ingredients, but addition of microbial phytase will increase the STTD of P in most rice coproducts.

The objective of this experiment was to determine the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of CP and AA in 10 sources of wheat middlings and in 1 source of red dog. Ten diets that each contained 1 of the 10 sources of wheat middlings and 1 diet that contained red dog as the only source of protein and AA were formulated. An N-free diet was used to determine basal endogenous losses of CP and AA. Chromic oxide (0.4%) was added to all diets as an indigestible marker. Twelve pigs (BW: 29.23 ± 1.5 kg) were fitted with a T-cannula in the distal ileum. Pigs were allotted to a 12 × 8 Youden square design with 12 diets and eight 7-d periods. The initial 5 d of each period was the adaptation period, but ileal digesta were collected on the last 2 d of each period. Results indicated that the AID of CP in wheat middlings was 31.1 ± 6.9%, but the AID of CP in red dog (47.0%) was greater ( < 0.05) than the average AID of CP for wheat middlings. The AID of indispensable AA in wheat middlings ranged from 30.1 ± 5.4% for Lys to 67.7 ± 2.2% for His, and the AID of indispensable AA in red dog ranged from 53.7% in Val to 86.2% for Met. The average SID of CP in wheat middlings was 61.5 ± 5.1%, and there were no differences among the 10 sources of wheat middlings, but the SID of CP in red dog (78.5%) was greater ( < 0.05) than in wheat middlings. The SID of Arg, His, and Asp in wheat middlings was 81.4 ± 2.7%, 77.7 ± 2.1%, and 66.4 ± 2.7%, respectively, and no differences among sources of wheat middlings were observed for these AA. The SID of Met (73.6 ± 1.8%) and the SID of Ala (54.8 ± 4.9%) tended ( = 0.071 and = 0.090, respectively) to be different among sources of wheat middlings, and the SID of all other AA was different ( < 0.05) among the 10 sources of wheat middlings. There were no differences between red dog and wheat middlings for the SID of Arg, His, and Ser, and the SID of Cys was less ( < 0.05) in red dog than in wheat middlings, but for all other AA, the SID in red dog was greater ( < 0.05) than in wheat middlings. In conclusion, wheat middlings and red dog contain approximately the same quantities of AA, but the AID and SID of CP and most AA in red dog are greater than in wheat middlings.

The first objective of this experiment was to test the hypothesis that apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of GE and nutrients in full fat rice bran (FFRB) and defatted rice bran (DFRB) determined in gestating sows is greater if feed is provided at 1.5 × the ME required for maintenance than at 3.5 × the ME requirement. The second objective was to test the hypothesis that the ATTD of GE and nutrients and the concentrations of DE and ME in FFRB and DFRB is not different between growing gilts and gestating sows if both groups of animals are fed 3.5 × the maintenance requirement for ME. Forty eight gestating sows (parity 2 to 6) were allotted to 3 diets and 2 levels of feed intake (i.e., 1.5 or 3.5 × the maintenance requirement for ME) in a randomized complete block design, with 4 blocks of 12 sows and 2 replicate sows per block for a total of 8 replicate sows per diet. Twenty four growing gilts (51.53 ± 3.1 kg BW) were randomly allotted to the same 3 diets, but all gilts were fed at 3.5 × the maintenance requirement for ME. A basal diet containing corn and soybean meal and 2 diets that consisted of 60% basal diet and 40% FFRB or DFRB were used. Results of the experiment indicated that there were no effects of level of feed intake of sows on ATTD of GE, DM, OM, or NDF, or on concentrations of DE and ME. However, concentrations of DE and ME were greater ( < 0.05) in FFRB than in DFRB regardless of feed intake level. The ATTD of GE, OM, DM, and NDF of diets containing FFRB or DFRB was less ( < 0.05) than in the basal diet, regardless of the physiological stage of the animals. However, the ATTD of GE, OM, and NDF of the basal diet and diets containing FFRB or DRFB was greater ( < 0.05) in gestating sows than in growing gilts. Concentrations of DE and ME in the diets were also greater ( < 0.05) if determined in gestating sows than in growing gilts. The ATTD of GE and the concentrations of DE and ME of FFRB were greater ( < 0.05) than in DFRB and these values were also greater ( < 0.05) in gestating sows than in growing gilts. In conclusion, the level of feed intake by gestating sows did not affect the digestibility of GE and nutrients or the concentrations of DE and ME in diets or in FFRB or DFRB, but the ATTD of GE and the concentration of DE and ME in diets and in FFRB and DFRB were greater in gestating sows than in growing gilts.

High fiber co-products from the copra and palm kernel industries are by-products of the production of coconut oil and palm kernel oil. The co-products include copra meal, copra expellers, palm kernel meal, and palm kernel expellers. All 4 ingredients are very high in fiber and the energy value is relatively low when fed to pigs. The protein concentration is between 14 and 22% and the protein has a low biological value and a very high Arg:Lys ratio. Digestibility of most amino acids is less than in soybean meal but close to that in corn. However, the digestibility of Lys is sometimes low due to Maillard reactions that are initiated due to overheating during drying. Copra and palm kernel ingredients contain 0.5 to 0.6% P. Most of the P in palm kernel meal and palm kernel expellers is bound to phytate, but in copra products less than one third of the P is bound to phytate. The digestibility of P is, therefore, greater in copra meal and copra expellers than in palm kernel ingredients. Inclusion of copra meal should be less than 15% in diets fed to weanling pigs and less than 25% in diets for growing-finishing pigs. Palm kernel meal may be included by 15% in diets for weanling pigs and 25% in diets for growing and finishing pigs. Rice bran contains the pericarp and aleurone layers of brown rice that is removed before polished rice is produced. Rice bran contains approximately 25% neutral detergent fiber and 25 to 30% starch. Rice bran has a greater concentration of P than most other plant ingredients, but 75 to 90% of the P is bound in phytate. Inclusion of microbial phytase in the diets is, therefore, necessary if rice bran is used. Rice bran may contain 15 to 24% fat, but it may also have been defatted in which case the fat concentration is less than 5%. Concentrations of digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) are slightly less in full fat rice bran than in corn, but defatted rice bran contains less than 75% of the DE and ME in corn. The concentration of crude protein is 15 to 18% in rice bran and the protein has a high biological value and most amino acids are well digested by pigs. Inclusion of rice bran in diets fed to pigs has yielded variable results and based on current research it is recommended that inclusion levels are less than 25 to 30% in diets for growing-finishing pigs, and less than 20% in diets for weanling pigs. However, there is a need for additional research to determine the inclusion rates that may be used for both full fat and defatted rice bran.