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An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of soybean meal (SBM) inclusion rate on growth performance of growing pigs. A total of 1,722 pigs (initial BW = 41.1 kg), placed in pens with 20 or 21 pigs each, were used in a 49-d trial. There were 2 treatments consisting of different SBM inclusion rates. Experimental diets were fed in 3 phases. Treatment 1 (low SBM) contained 18, 14, and 12% SBM and Treatment 2 (high SBM) contained 26, 22, and 19% SBM in phases 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The different SBM levels were obtained by adjusting the inclusion rate of synthetic amino acids. Both treatments were formulated to the same SID Lys (1.00, 0.92, and 0.85% in phases 1, 2, and 3, respectively) and net energy levels (2,565, 2,575, and 2,581 kcal/kg in phases 1, 2, and 3, respectively). The net energy of SBM used in diet formulation was equivalent to 90% of corn net energy. There were 42 replicates per treatment. Pigs were weighed approximately every 2 weeks to calculate ADG, ADFI, G:F, and caloric efficiency. Data was analyzed with SAS MIXED procedure. Overall (d 0 to 49), there was no evidence for differences (P > 0.10) on ADG, ADFI, or final BW. Pigs fed the high SBM diets had improved (P < 0.01) G:F and caloric efficiency. The removal and mortality rate was 1.05% (9 pigs) on the low SBM treatment and 0.46% (4 pigs) on the high SBM treatment. In conclusion, increasing levels of SBM resulted in improved G:F and caloric efficiency of growing pigs.

An experiment was conducted to determine the optimal standardize ileal digestible (SID) Lys level for growth performance of nursery pigs. A total of 980 pigs (PIC 337 × Camborough; initial BW = 5.4 kg), placed in pens with 28 pigs each, were used in a 42-d trial. There were 5 treatments consisting of 1.15, 1.25, 1.35, 1.45, or 1.55% SID Lys. Experimental diets were fed from d 0 to 21 followed by a common corn-soybean meal-based diet (1.30% SID Lys) from d 21 to 42. Pigs were weighed weekly to calculate ADG, ADFI, and G:F. Data was analyzed with SAS MIXED procedure. From d 0 to 21, increasing the SID Lys level resulted in a linear (P < 0.01) ADG, G:F, and BW improvement. Because of the linear nature of the response, the breakpoint could not be determined. From d 21 to 42, when pigs were fed a common diet, linear (P < 0.05) ADG and G:F responses were observed; pigs previously fed the lower SID Lys levels had improved performance. This compensatory response resulted in no evidence for differences (P > 0.10) in overall (d 0 to 42) ADG and final BW, although there was a linear (P = 0.004) G:F improvement. In conclusion, increasing SID Lys level linearly improved performance; however, pigs fed low SID Lys levels presented compensatory growth and obtained similar performance in the overall nursery period.

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of the initial nursery diet budget on growth performance. A total of 3,264 pigs (initial BW = 5.5 kg), placed in pens with 51 pigs each, were used in a 45-d trial. There were 4 treatments consisting of different feed budgets of the initial nursery diet: 4.1 kg, 5.4 kg, 6.8 kg, or 8.2 kg. The experimental diet was corn, soybean meal, and whey permeate-based and contained 1.38% SID Lys. After the allocated budget was consumed, pigs were provided a common corn and soybean meal-based diet. There were 16 replicates per treatment. Pigs were weighed weekly to calculate ADG, ADFI, and G:F. Data were analyzed with SAS MIXED procedure. In the first 14 d of the trial there was no evidence for differences (P > 0.10) in growth performance as all pigs were receiving their allocated budget of the initial diet. From d 14 to 21 as well as d 0 to 21, pigs that received a budget of 6.8 or 8.2 kg had improved ADG (quadratic, P < 0.05) and G:F (linear, P < 0.05) compared to those fed budgets of 4.1 or 5.4 kg. From d 21 to 45, when all pigs received a common diet, there was no evidence for differences (P > 0.10) in ADG. However, there was a linear response (P < 0.05) in G:F, with pigs previously fed the lowest feed budget presenting improved G:F. Overall (d 0 to 45), there was an improvement (linear, P < 0.05) in ADG and ADFI as feed budgets increased, with the best performance observed when pigs were fed 6.8 or 8.2 kg of the initial nursery diet. In conclusion, providing a 6.8 or 8.2 kg budget of the initial nursery diet resulted in improved overall nursery performance.

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of added Zn level on growth performance and hemoglobin of nursery pigs. A total of 673 pigs (initial BW = 6.0 kg) were used in a 45-d trial. There were 3 treatments based on added Zn level: 100, 2,000, or 3,000 mg/kg from Zn oxide. Experimental diets were fed for 21 d. After that, pigs were fed a common corn and soybean meal-based diet with 100 mg/kg added Zn for 24 d. There were 8 replicates per treatment. Pigs were weighed approximately every 10 d to evaluate growth performance, and blood samples were collected for hemoglobin analysis. Data was analyzed with SAS MIXED procedure. From d 0 to 10, there was a linear improvement (P < 0.05) in ADG, ADFI, and G:F with increasing Zn level. From d 10 to 21, increasing Zn level resulted in higher ADFI (linear, P = 0.009). However, there was no difference (P > 0.10) in ADG and G:F. From d 0 to 21, pigs fed increasing added Zn had improved (linear, P < 0.05) ADG and ADFI. From d 21 to 45, pigs previously fed high levels of added Zn had higher ADFI (linear, P = 0.023), but there was no evidence for differences (P > 0.10) for ADG and G:F. Overall (d 0 to 45), pigs fed increasing added Zn levels had improved (linear, P < 0.05) ADG, ADFI, and final BW. A quadratic response (P < 0.05) was observed for hemoglobin on d 10 and 45, with no differences (P > 0.10) observed on d 21. In summary, pigs fed high levels of added Zn presented improved growth performance. Although the response was linear in nature, the differences between pigs fed 2,000 or 3,000 mg/kg Zn were minimal for the response variables evaluated.

Production systems commonly have multiple fill events in the nursery, which can lead to inaccurate feeding of dietary budgets. A simpler feeding program may provide practical benefits to producers. Five trials were conducted to compare nursery phase-feeding programs. Two treatments consisting of a 2-phase or a single-phase program were applied for 22 d postweaning. The 2-phase program consisted of a feed budget of 1.4 kg of a phase 1 diet formulated with 1.45% SID Lys and 5.4 kg of a phase 2 diet with 1.36% SID Lys. The single-phase program provided 6.8 kg of a unique diet with 1.38% SID Lys. Diets were corn, soybean meal, and whey permeate-based and contained 3,000 mg/kg Zn. All other nutrients met or exceeded the NRC (2012) recommendations. After the experimental period, pigs were fed a common diet for 23 d. In the five trials, 5,090 pigs were used with a total of 63 and 69 replicates per treatment for 2-phase and single-phase programs, respectively. There was no treatment × trial interactions (P > 0.10), thus data was combined for statistical analysis using SAS PROC MIXED. From d 0 to 22, pigs fed the single-phase program had higher (P = 0.041) ADFI and a tendency (P = 0.075) for higher BW. From d 22 to 45, pigs previously fed the single-phase program had a tendency (P = 0.057) for higher ADG. Overall (d 0 to 45), pigs fed the single-phase program had higher (P = 0.037) ADG and a tendency (P = 0.077) for higher final BW, with comparable (P > 0.10) ADFI and G:F to the 2-phase program. In conclusion, feeding a single-phase nursery program in the first 22 d postweaning resulted in higher overall ADG and similar ADFI and G:F compared to a 2-phase nursery program.

A 20-d experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of added Zn and Cu on growth performance of nursery pigs. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial treatment structure with main effects of added Zn (100 or 3,000 mg/kg of diet) and Cu (10 or 200 mg/kg of diet). Basal Zn and Cu levels (100 and 10 mg/kg, respectively) were from organic sources, while the added high levels (2,900 and 190 mg/kg, respectively) were from Zn oxide and Cu hydroxychloride. A total of 784 pigs (PIC 337 × Camborough), initially 6.0 kg, were used with 7 replicates per treatment. Experimental diets were corn, soybean meal, and whey permeate-based and contained 1.38% SID Lys. Pigs were weighed and feed disappearance measured to calculate ADG, ADFI, and G:F. Data were analyzed with SAS MIXED procedure. From d 0 to 10, there was no evidence (P > 0.10) for interactive or main effects of Zn or Cu. From d 10 to 20 and overall (d 0 to 20), there was an interaction (P < 0.05) between Zn and Cu for G:F. From d 10 to 20, pigs fed 10 mg/kg added Cu had improved G:F when 3,000 mg/kg added Zn was fed; however, pigs fed 200 mg/kg added Cu had similar G:F regardless of added Zn level. There was no evidence (P > 0.10) for interaction for ADG or ADFI, indicating an additive Zn and Cu effect. Feeding 3,000 mg/kg added Zn or 200 mg/kg added Cu improved ADG, ADFI, and final BW with the highest performance observed when feeding both 3,000 mg/kg added Zn and 200 mg/kg added Cu. In summary, feeding high levels of Zn or Cu did not impact the first 10-d postweaning performance, but Zn and Cu effects were observed in the subsequent 10-d and overall performance.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of a functional protein (FXP; Ani-Tek Group, LLC, Shelbina, MO) on growth performance of nursery pigs. A total of 840 pigs (PIC 337 × Camborough), initially 5.5 kg, were used with 28 pigs per pen and a total of 15 replicates per treatment. There were two treatments, which consisted of a control diet and the control diet with added FXP. The experimental diets were corn, soybean meal, and whey permeate-based and contained 3,000 mg/kg added Zn. The inclusion of FXP was 0.3% of the diet. Experimental diets were fed for 23 d, followed by a common corn and soybean meal-based diet from d 23 to 48. Pigs were weighed and feed disappearance measured to calculate ADG, ADFI, and G:F. There was no evidence (P > 0.10) for treatment × experiment interactions, thus data was combined for statistical analysis using the MIXED procedure of SAS. From d 0 to 23, pigs fed diets containing FXP had higher (P < 0.05) ADG, ADFI, and BW and a tendency (P = 0.053) for improved G:F. During the common period (d 23 to 48), pigs previously fed FXP had a tendency (P < 0.10) for higher ADG and ADFI. Overall (d 0 to 48), pigs that received FXP had higher (P < 0.05) ADG, ADFI, BW, and a tendency (P = 0.055) for improved G:F. In conclusion, the inclusion of the functional protein improved growth performance of nursery pigs.

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of wheat middlings inclusion rate on growth performance of nursery pigs. A total of 1,750 pigs (initial BW = 6.0 kg), placed in pens with 35 pigs each, were used in a 39-d trial. There were 5 treatments consisting of 0, 5, 10, 15, or 20% wheat middlings. Corn and a fermented soybean meal product (ME-Pro, Prairie AquaTech, Brookings, SD) were replaced by wheat middlings to achieve the desired levels, whereas soybean meal inclusion rate was constant across treatments. Diets were not balanced for net energy. The experimental diets were fed from d 0 to 18 and a common corn-soybean meal-based diet was fed from d 18 to 39. There were 10 replicates per treatment. Pigs were weighed on d 0, 18, and 39 to calculate ADG, ADFI, and G:F. Data were analyzed with SAS MIXED procedure. From d 0 to 18, there was a linear (P = 0.041) reduction in ADG with increasing levels of wheat middlings; however, the differences were small (ranging from maximum 288 to minimum 275 g/d). This response was driven by a tendency (P = 0.096) for a linear ADFI response and a quadratic (P = 0.023) G:F response. From d 18 to 39, there was a linear (P = 0.016) G:F response, where pigs previously fed high levels of wheat middlings had improved G:F. Overall (d 0 to 39), there was no evidence (P > 0.10) for differences on growth performance. In conclusion, pigs fed high levels of wheat middlings had slightly decreased performance from d 0 to 18, but no evidence for differences were observed in the overall nursery period.

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of Zn level and Ca source on nursery performance. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial with main effects of added Zn (100 or 3,000 mg/kg) and Ca source (limestone or Ca citrate). The basal level of Zn (100 mg/kg) was from organic source, whereas the 3,000 mg/kg was created with the inclusion of 2,900 mg/kg Zn oxide. A total of 3,701 pigs (PIC 337 × Camborough), initially 5.4 kg, were used with 18 replicates per treatment. Experimental diets were fed for 19 d, followed by a common diet from d 19 to 49. Pigs were weighed and feed disappearance measured to calculate ADG, ADFI, and G:F. Data were analyzed with SAS MIXED procedure. There were interactions (P < 0.05) between Zn and Ca for G:F from d 10 to 19 and 0 to 19. From d 10 to 19, feeding 3,000 mg/kg added Zn improved G:F with both Ca sources, but the magnitude of improvement was greater when diets contained Ca citrate. From d 0 to 19, only pigs fed Ca citrate presented improvement in G:F when fed 3,000 mg/kg added Zn. For main effects, feeding 3,000 mg/kg added Zn improved (P < 0.05) ADG and G:F from d 0 to 10. From d 10 to 19 and 0 to 19, feeding 3,000 mg/kg added Zn increased (P < 0.05) ADG and ADFI. During the common period (d 19 to 49), pigs previously fed 100 mg/kg added Zn had improved (P < 0.01) G:F. Overall (d 0 to 49), no differences (P > 0.10) in performance were observed. In conclusion, there were no major differences in performance between Ca sources. Pigs fed 3,000 mg/kg added Zn presented improved growth performance from d 10 to 19 but not overall.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of trace mineral source and level for grow-finish pigs. In Exp. 1, 2,168 pigs (initial BW = 23.0 kg) were used in a 117-d trial. There were 5 treatments based on inorganic (sulfates and oxides) or organic (Alltech Bioplex, Lexington, KY) minerals supplemented at different levels as follows: 1) Industry inorganic (120 mg/kg Zn, 100 mg/kg Fe, 40 mg/kg Mn, 10 mg/kg Cu); 2) 100% NRC inorganic (60 mg/kg Zn, 60 mg/kg Fe, 2.2 mg/kg Mn, 4 mg/kg Cu); 3) 33% NRC organic (20 mg/kg Zn, 20 mg/kg Fe, 0.7 mg/kg Mn, 1.3 mg/kg Cu); 4) 66% NRC organic (40 mg/kg Zn, 40 mg/kg Fe, 1.5 mg/kg Mn, 2.6 mg/kg Cu); and 5) 100% NRC organic (60 mg/kg Zn, 60 mg/kg Fe, 2.2 mg/kg Mn, 4 mg/kg Cu). Selenium level was 0.30 mg/kg for all treatments. Treatment 1 had 14 replicates and the other treatments had 18 replicates. Pigs were weighed approximately every three weeks and carcass data was collected at the end of the trial. Data was analyzed with SAS MIXED procedure. There was no evidence for differences (P > 0.10) for overall ADG, ADFI, G:F, and final BW. Pigs fed 66% NRC organic had the highest (P < 0.05) percentage lean and loin depth. In Exp. 2, 1,188 pigs (initial BW = 25.9 kg) were used in a 120-d trial with two treatments: 1) Industry inorganic and 2) 66% NRC organic, with the same mineral levels as Exp. 1 and 24 replicates per treatment. There was no difference (P > 0.10) in growth performance. Similar to Exp. 1, pigs fed 66% NRC organic had higher (P < 0.05) percentage lean and loin depth. In conclusion, lower levels of organic trace minerals resulted in improved carcass characteristics without compromising growth performance.

Two experiments were conducted in a commercial research facility to determine the effects of a proprietary blend of short chain fatty acids and prebiotic components (Viligen™; Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY) on nursery pig performance. Experiments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with 6 replications per treatment and 28 pigs per pen. Pigs were randomly allotted to one of two dietary treatments which consisted of a control diet (CON) or the control diet with 0.135% Viligen™ (VIL) fed in two phases of pelleted diets without antibiotics and with 2000 ppm dietary zinc. In Exp. 1 and 2, 336 mixed-sex pigs (TN Tempo x TN70), 6.33 ± 0.26 kg BW, 5.92 ± 0.35 kg BW, were used in each 22 and 24-d Exp., respectively. Pen weights and feed disappearance were recorded on d0, d11, d22 or d24 and used to calculate ADG, ADFI, and GF. Growth data were analyzed using the GLM procedures of SAS (Cary, NC). Only cumulative growth data for both experiments are presented (Table 1). Pigs fed VIL had improved (P < 0.01) ADG, ADFI, and BW gain compared to pigs fed the CON diet. A treatment by Exp. interaction was observed (P < 0.01) for GF where pigs fed VIL had improved GF (0.86 vs. 0.91) in Exp.1 but similar GF (0.85 vs. 0.85) in Exp. 2. A reduction in injectable medication use (P < 0.03) was noted in pigs fed VIL. Furthermore, a numerical improvement (P > 0.10) in mortality and morbidity was observed for pigs fed diets containing VIL. Together these studies suggest improvements in performance and overall health that can result in more pigs reaching the finisher stage of production. [Image: see text]