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This study assessed how quantitative feed restriction in the finisher phase affected broiler chickens' performance, serum metabolites, carcass, fatty acids, meat quality, and oxidative status. Two hundred (200) 21-day-old ad libitum fed Arbor Acres broilers were divided into two groups at random and fed ad libitum (AL-100) or 80% ad libitum (AL-80) for 21 days before slaughter. The qualities of the breast meat were observed during a 5-day postmortem chill storage period. Compared to the AL-80 birds, the AL-100 birds exhibited significantly heavier (p<0.05) slaughter and carcass weights as well as abdominal fat. The AL-80 birds had significantly higher (p<0.05) serum glucose levels. AL-80 birds had significantly decreased (p<0.05) serum levels of very-low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), triglycerides and total cholesterol compared to AL-100 birds. In comparison to AL-100 meat, the concentrations of alpha-linolenic acid [C18:3n-3] and eicosapentaenoic acid [C20:5n-3] were more in AL-80 meat. AL-100 meat had significantly higher (p<0.05) levels of Linoleic acid [C18:2n-6] and total fatty acids than AL-80 meat. On the 3rd and 5th days postmortem, AL-80 meat had significantly reduced (p<0.05) carbonyl content, drip loss, and malondialdehyde levels than AL-100 meat. In Arbor Acres broilers, a 20% feed restriction improved the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in the breast muscle and decreased the accumulation of abdominal fat and oxidative degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the effect of differences in altitude on the performance of broiler chickens. The experimental design used was a completely randomized design (CRD) with 3 treatments and 8 replications. For this research, the broiler chickens were reared in closed house cages at different altitudes: lowlands, medium lands, and highlands with the same Standard Operation Procedure (SOP). The treatments applied were T1 (broilers reared at an altitude of ± < 600 meters), T2 (broilers reared at an altitude of ± 800 – 1000 meters) and T3 (broilers reared at an altitude of ± > 1000 meters). The data were analyzed to determine the treatment effect using Duncan's Multiple Distance Test. The parameters measured were feed consumption, body weight gain (WG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), index performance (IP) and income over feed cost (IOFC). The results showed that altitude had a significant effect (P

Agent-based modeling (ABM) enables an in silico representation of complex systems and captures agent behavior resulting from interaction with other agents and their environment. This study developed an ABM to represent a pasture-based beef cattle finishing systems in New Zealand (NZ) using attributes of the rearer, finisher, and processor, as well as specific attributes of dairy-origin beef cattle. The model was parameterized using values representing 1% of NZ dairy-origin cattle, and 10% of rearers and finishers in NZ. The cattle agent consisted of 32% Holstein-Friesian, 50% Holstein-Friesian–Jersey crossbred, and 8% Jersey, with the remainder being other breeds. Rearers and finishers repetitively and simultaneously interacted to determine the type and number of cattle populating the finishing system. Rearers brought in four-day-old spring-born calves and reared them until 60 calves (representing a full truck load) on average had a live weight of 100 kg before selling them on to finishers. Finishers mainly attained weaners from rearers, or directly from dairy farmers when weaner demand was higher than the supply from rearers. Fast-growing cattle were sent for slaughter before the second winter, and the remainder were sent before their third winter. The model finished a higher number of bulls than heifers and steers, although it was 4% lower than the industry reported value. Holstein-Friesian and Holstein-Friesian–Jersey-crossbred cattle dominated the dairy-origin beef finishing system. Jersey cattle account for less than 5% of total processed beef cattle. Further studies to include retailer and consumer perspectives and other decision alternatives for finishing farms would improve the applicability of the model for decision-making processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycotoxins, being a threat to animal and human health, contribute significantly towards economic losses in the poultry sector. A liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based study was conducted on poultry feed samples collected from Punjab, Pakistan to evaluate the prevalence, contamination levels, and co-occurrence of multi-mycotoxins across different processed forms of the feed, types of utilities and sampling regions. All samples were found to be contaminated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and fumonisin B1 (FB1). The European Commission (EC) maximum level for AFB1 in complete feedingstuffs in poultry and guidance values for FB1 and zearalenone (ZEN) were exceeded in 73%, 2%, and 14% of the contaminated samples, respectively. The corresponding median values were 39.9 µg/kg, 205 µg/kg, and 34.5 µg/kg. In addition to exceeding contamination levels, a varying co-occurrence of three to fourteen mycotoxins was observed in each of the feed samples that calls for mitigation measures to safeguard the feed and its ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of pigs and pig sizes within each finisher pig replicate correspond to pigs of each weight category (light = 21 to 23 kg; medium = 32 to 36 kg; heavy = 34 to 55 kg). Keywords: swine; suckling; finisher; water-based foam; disease; depopulation EN swine suckling finisher water-based foam disease depopulation N.PAG N.PAG 11 04/26/22 20220415 NES 220415 1. Table 1 Pig body-weight range or individual pig weight and time to cessation of movement (COM) post-foam initiation for conscious, logger-implanted finisher and suckling pigs evaluated in water-based foam depopulation trials. Individual and age-group levels of thresholds, based on EA during the 15-min foam immersion, were calculated for each pig and those from all conscious pigs in the same age group (finisher: I n i = 5; suckling: I n i = 10), respectively. [Extracted from the article]

Abstract Background Straw is a beneficial enrichment material for pigs, shown to improve welfare through reducing tail biting. Straw has previously been identified as one of the means of how to raise pigs without tail docking, through improving natural exploratory behaviour. Straw has however been linked to poor pen hygiene, making farmers reluctant to use straw and has largely not been implemented in commercial farming worldwide. Straw is a beneficial enrichment material for pigs, shown to improve welfare and reduce abnormal behaviour such as tail biting. Results This study investigates the impact of straw on pig and pen hygiene in pens with partly slatted floor in three grower and four finishing pig batches on five commercial farms (2329 pigs, 211 pens) in Sweden which were providing straw daily. Each batch was divided into two treatments; Control: 50-600 g straw/pen/day based on the farm normal straw ration; and Extra straw; (=doubled Control ration). The pens were scored based on cleanliness of the pigs, solid and slatted pen floor every second week. The pig and pen hygiene were mostly scored as clean in both treatments, overall around 1% of the observations were considered dirty/soiled. Conclusions As very few pens or pigs were considered dirty, it was concluded that straw provision is possible without risking poor pig and pen hygiene. Few observations in this study were considered dirty regardless of amount of straw that was provided, and had likely to do with other factors in the production rather than straw ration. These results implies that straw could be used in partly slatted pens in order to improve pig environment but more research is needed to quantify the impact of other external factors related to climate (e.g. temperature, humidity, velocity).

Despite the low per capita consumption of poultry products in Nigeria, available statistics have indicated that there is still a huge supply gap that need to be addressed. High cost of feed ingredients has been implicated as the leading factor in this problem, hence the need for sourcing of relatively cheaper alternatives feeding trial was carried out to evaluate the carcass characteristics and haemato-biochemical parameters of finisher broilers fed maiwa millet-based diets. Millet was made to replace maize at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% levels, designated as diets T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively. Three hundred broiler chickens weighing 876.25 - 950.04 g each, were allotted to these diets in replicates of four containing 15 birds each in a completely randomized design. Feed and water were given ad libitum and the study lasted for 4 weeks. Results for carcass analysis revealed no significant effect of maiwa millet on nearly all the parameters studied. Slaughter weight and dressing percentage ranged from 2.22 to 2.51kgand 67.83 to 71.28%. Liver weight was within the range of 2.26 and 2.49%. However, some haemato-biochemical indices were significantly (P<0.05) influenced. Packed Cell Volume was highest (P<0.05) on T5 (33.25%) and lowest on T1 (27.37%) and T2 (27.75%). Total protein was higher (P<0.05) in birds fed T3 (47.35g/dl) and T5 (47.08g/dl) and lowest (P<0.05) in those on T1 (40.74g/dl). It was therefore concluded that maiwa millet can replace maize up to 100% level without decrease in carcass yield or any deleterious effect on finisher broilers' health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agent-based modeling (ABM) enables an in silico representation of complex systems and captures agent behavior resulting from interaction with other agents and their environment. This study developed an ABM to represent a pasture-based beef cattle finishing systems in New Zealand (NZ) using attributes of the rearer, finisher, and processor, as well as specific attributes of dairy-origin beef cattle. The model was parameterized using values representing 1% of NZ dairy-origin cattle, and 10% of rearers and finishers in NZ. The cattle agent consisted of 32% Holstein-Friesian, 50% Holstein-Friesian–Jersey crossbred, and 8% Jersey, with the remainder being other breeds. Rearers and finishers repetitively and simultaneously interacted to determine the type and number of cattle populating the finishing system. Rearers brought in four-day-old spring-born calves and reared them until 60 calves (representing a full truck load) on average had a live weight of 100 kg before selling them on to finishers. Finishers mainly attained weaners from rearers, or directly from dairy farmers when weaner demand was higher than the supply from rearers. Fast-growing cattle were sent for slaughter before the second winter, and the remainder were sent before their third winter. The model finished a higher number of bulls than heifers and steers, although it was 4% lower than the industry reported value. Holstein-Friesian and Holstein-Friesian–Jersey-crossbred cattle dominated the dairy-origin beef finishing system. Jersey cattle account for less than 5% of total processed beef cattle. Further studies to include retailer and consumer perspectives and other decision alternatives for finishing farms would improve the applicability of the model for decision-making processes.

To evaluate the effect of greater inclusion levels of DDGS with or without a Syncra SWI (SWI; bacillus plus protease; IFF, USA) in swine growerfinisher diets, a trial was conducted consisting of 528 pigs across 6 treatments with 8 replicates consisting of 11 pigs each where weights were balanced at the start of the trial. Inclusion levels of DDGS were 0%, 15%, and 30% all containing phytase and carbohydrase enzymes. Each inclusion level was split to include or not include SWI. At the end of the trial, slaughter weights were measured. While no significant differences were detected, the heaviest slaughter weights were observed in the 0% DDGS diet, 30% DDGS diet with SWI and the 0% DDGS diet with SWI (115.28, 115.16, and 115.15 kg, respectively). For total body weight gain, there were no significant differences between both 0% DDGS diets, the 15% DDGS diet without SWI, and both 30% diets. However, the 15% diet with SWI was significantly lighter than both 0% DDGS diets and the 30% DDGS with SWI diet (P = 0.01, 0.04, 0.008 respectively). Similarly, no significant differences were found between both of the 0% DDGS diets, the 15% DDGS diet without SWI, or both 30% DDGS diets on average daily gain. A significant difference was detected between the 15% DDGS with SWI and both 0% DDGS diets and the 30% DDGS diet with SWI (P = 0.002, 0.0003, and 0.001, respectively) on average daily gain. The lightest cold carcass weight was observed in pigs fed the 15% DDGS diet with SWI, which was significantly (P < 0.05) different from all other diets, while the heaviest cold carcass weight was observed in pigs fed the 0% DDGS diet with SWI (87.22 kg) followed by the 30% DDGS diet with SWI (86.53 kg) but were not significantly different. While there were no significant differences detected in the economics of the trial, the feed with the greatest cost was the 0% DDGS diet with SWI ($299.98) while the least cost was demonstrated in the 30% DDGS with SWI diet ($288.80). The diet that generated the highest revenue was the 0% DDGS diet with SWI ($124.89) followed by the 30% DDGS diet with SWI ($123.94) while the least revenue was seen in the 15% DDGS diet with SWI ($119.65). Margin over feed cost was greatest in the 15% DDGS diet ($66.87) and the 30% DDGS diet with SWI ($66.16) and the least MOFC was seen in the 0% DDGS diet. While no significant differences were detected in performance between the 0% DDGS diets and the 30% DDGS diets, these data shows there is a potential benefit to feeding greater inclusion DDGS diet if an SWI is added. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study set out to determine the effects of incorporating cDDGS into starter, grower, and finisher diets (containing 5%, 10%, and 15% of cDDGS, respectively) on growth performance, carcass and meat quality, and cost effectiveness of pig fattening. Sixty-four pigs (mean body weight of 15.0 ± 2.1 kg) were divided into two groups (n = 32) and fed a control diet (cereal–soybean meal-based) or cDGGS-containing diets (with soybean meal partially replaced with cDDGS). Live weights of pigs as well as weight gains/daily weight gains across all fattening phases did not differ between the two groups of fattener pigs studied (p > 0.05). Addition of cDDGS decreased feed intake per pig during the grower (p < 0.05) and finisher (p < 0.01) phases, and, as a result, throughout the entire fattening period (254 vs. 245 kg for control and cDDGS groups, respectively; p < 0.01). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) for the entire fattening period was significantly less for cDDGS-fed fatteners (2.77) than for controls (2.91; p < 0.05). Carcass weights, fat thickness, and meatiness did not vary between the two groups of animals (p > 0.05). Loin depth was greater in the cDDGS group by ~5 mm (p < 0.05). Slaughter value was higher for the cDDGS group (76.1% vs. 77.0%, p < 0.05). The total cost of fattening and total cost of 1 kg of body weight decreased in cDDGS compared with the control subset of fatteners by ~7% and 8% during the grower and finisher phases, respectively (p < 0.01). The simplified direct surplus per pig was approximately 63% higher for the cDDGS group. Our results indicate that even moderate inclusion of cDDGS to concentrate mixtures (or a partial replacement of soybean meal with cDDGS) may improve FCR without any substantial changes in meat and back fat characteristics as well as significantly decrease the cost of feeding and increase the profitability of pig production.

The present study was conducted on 24 growers which were divided into 4 dietary treatment groups, viz. Group 1: concentrate only, Group 2: concentrate +700 g JFC, Group 3: concentrate + 1,400 g JFC, Group 4 and concentrate + 2,100 g JFC. Jaggery filter cake supplementation was increased every week in the ratio of 0:50:100:150 g in group 1, 2, 3, 4 respectively. Lowest and highest dry matter intake was observed in group 1 and group 4 respectively and values differed significantly (P

The genome in crossbred animals is a mosaic of genomic regions inherited from the different parental breeds. We previously showed that effects of haplotypes strongly associated with crossbred performance are different depending upon from which parental breed they are inherited, however, the majority of the genomic regions are not or only weakly associated with crossbred performance. Therefore, our objective was to develop a model that distinguishes between selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) strongly associated with crossbred performance and all remaining SNP. For the selected SNP, breed-specific allele effects were fitted whereas for the remaining SNP it was assumed that effects are the same across breeds (SEL-BOA model). We used data from three purebred populations; S, LR, and LW, and the corresponding crossbred population. We selected SNP that explained together either 5 or 10% of the total crossbred genetic variance for average daily gain in each breed of origin. The model was compared to a model where all SNP-alleles were allowed to have different effects for crossbred performance depending upon the breed of origin (BOA model) and to a model where all SNP-alleles had the same effect for crossbred performance across breeds (G model). Across the models, the heritability for crossbred performance was very similar with values of 0.29–0.30. With the SEL-BOA models, in general, the purebred-crossbred genetic correlation (rpc) for the selected SNP was larger than for the non-selected SNP. For breed LR, the rpc for selected SNP and non-selected SNP estimated with the SEL-BOA 5% and SEL-BOA 10% were very different compared to the rpc estimated with the G or BOA model. For breeds S and LW, there was not a big discrepancy for the rpc estimated with the SEL-BOA models and with the G or BOA model. The BOA model calculates more accurate breeding values of purebred animals for crossbred performance than the G model when rpc differs (≈10%) between the G and the BOA model. Superiority of the SEL-BOA model compared to the BOA model was only observed for SEL-BOA 10% and when rpc for the selected and non-selected SNP differed both (≈20%) from the rpc estimated by the G or BOA model.

A study was conducted to evaluate the use of sweet orange peel meal (SOPM) in broiler chicken diet with and without polyzyme®. An 8 week feeding trial was carried out using day old Abor Acre plus strain of broiler chickens. Four groups of 36 birds each were fed two diets that contained 20 and 25% sweet orange peel meal with or without Polyzyme® in a factorial design. Data were collected on growth performance, nutrient utilization, carcass characteristics and intestinal tract length. Significant (p<0.05) depression were observed in average final weight (1976.64 to 1775.76 g), average daily weight gain (34.69 to 31.10 g) and average daily feed intake (79.98 to 70.65 g) when sweet orange peel meal was increased from 20 to 25% in the diets. This effect was reversed when enzyme was added in the diet. Except on crude protein; increasing the sweet orange peel meal from 20 to 25% did not have significant (P>0.05) effect on feed utililization and mortality. Birds fed 25% sweet orange peel meal had lower (p<0.05) live weight and crude protein utilization than those fed 20% which were improved when enzyme was added. Gizzard weight and gastrointestinal tract length of birds fed 25% rice bran were higher (p<0.05). It was concluded that 20 sweet orange peel meal can be included in broiler diets but may be increased to 25% when polyzyme®is added. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Probiotics are known to stabilize the microbiome especially in monogastric animals. Limited information is available on the potential effect on the rumen microbiome. Feedlot cattle are fed high concentrate diets which may result in subclinical and clinical acidosis due to dysbiosis. This can negatively affect the production and lead to morbidities and death. The alpha diversity of a microbiome population and the ratio of Proteobacteria towards Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes have been known to indicate potential dysbiosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of probiotics on the alpha diversity and Proteobacteria ratio of the rumen microbiome of feedlot cattle during the finisher phase. Thirtysix Bonsmara bulls were randomly divided into three groups and fed for 120 days; a basal diet commonly fed in South African feedlots (CTR: control), the basal diet supplemented with monensin (30 mg/animal/day; MON) or a Bacillus-based probiotic (B. licheniformis and B. subtilis; Bovacillus, Chr. Hansen A/S at 2.75 g/animal/day; BOV). Four animals from each of the groups were randomly selected for rumen content collection during the finisher phase using a stomach tube. After DNA extraction was completed, 16S rRNA sequencing (V3-V4) was performed. Alpha diversity (Shannon) and the relative abundance of the phyla was determined using phyloseq with significance (p< 0.05) determined with the Kruskal-Wallis test. In total, 41 300 ASVs and 10 phyla were identified. BOV had a significantly greater (p=0.023) alpha diversity compared with CTR and numerically greater compared with MON. The Proteobacteria ratio was greater than expected in all groups. However, the ratio was significantly less in BOV compared with CTR (p=0.028) and numerically less compared with MON. The results indicate that probiotic supplementation of feedlot cattle has the potential to stabilize the rumen microbiome by increasing the alpha diversity and decreasing the Proteobacteria ratio thereby preventing dysbiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background This study examined participation and performance trends in 'Ironman Hawaii' regarding the nationality of the finishers. Methods Associations between nationalities and race times of 39,706 finishers originating from 124 countries in the 'Ironman Hawaii' from 1985 to 2012 were analyzed using single and multilevel regression analysis. Results Most of the finishers originated from the United States of America (47.5%) followed by athletes from Germany (11.7%), Japan (7.9%), Australia (6.7%), Canada (5.2%), Switzerland (2.9%), France (2.3%), Great Britain (2.0%), New Zealand (1.9%), and Austria (1.5%). German women showed the fastest increase in finishers (r²=0.83, p<0.0001), followed by Australia (r²=0.78, p<0.0001), Canada (r²=0.78, p<0.0001) and the USA (r²=0.69, p<0.0001). Japanese women showed no change in the number of finishers (r²=0.01, p>0.05). For men, athletes from France showed the steepest increase (r²=0.85, p<0.0001), followed by Austria (r²=0.68, p<0.0001), Australia (r²=0.67, p<0.0001), Brazil (r²=0.60, p<0.0001), Great Britain (r²=0.46, p<0.0001), Germany (r²=0.26, p<0.0001), the United States of America (r²=0.21, p=0.013) and Switzerland (r²=0.14, p=0.0044). The number of Japanese men decreased (r²=0.35, p=0.0009). The number of men from Canada (r²=0.02, p>0.05) and New Zealand (r²=0.02, p>0.05) remained unchanged. Regarding female performance, the largest improvements were achieved by Japanese women (17.3%). The fastest race times in 2012 were achieved by US-American women. Women from Japan, Canada, Germany, Australia, and the United States of America improved race times. For men, the largest improvements were achieved by athletes originating from Brazil (20.9%) whereas the fastest race times in 2012 were achieved by athletes from Germany. Race times for athletes originating from Brazil, Austria, Great Britain, Switzerland, Germany, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and France decreased. Race times in athletes originating from Australia and the United States of America showed no significant changes. Regarding the fastest race times ever, the fastest women originated from the United States (546±7 min) followed by Great Britain (555±15 min) and Switzerland (558±8 min). In men, the fastest finishers originated from the United States (494±7 min), Germany (496±6 min) and Australia (497±5 min). Conclusions The 'Ironman Hawaii' has been dominated by women and men from the United States of America in participation and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Participation and performance trends have been investigated in ultramarathons and ultratriathlons but not in ultracycling. The aim of the present study was to investigate (1) participation and performance trends in ultraendurance cyclists, (2) changes in cycling speed over the years, and (3) the age of the fastest male and female ultraendurance cyclists. Methods: Participation and performance trends in the 5000 km Race Across America (RAAM) and in two RAAM-qualifier races - the 818 km Furnace Creek 508 in the United States and the 715 km Swiss Cycling Marathon in Europe - were investigated using linear regression analyses and analyses of variance. Results: On average, ~41% of participants did not finish either the RAAM or the Furnace Creek 508, whereas ~26% did not finish the Swiss Cycling Marathon. Female finishers accounted for ~11% in both the RAAM and the Furnace Creek 508 but only ~3% in the Swiss Cycling Marathon. The mean cycling speed of all finishers remained unchanged during the studied periods. The winner's average speed was faster for men than for women in the RAAM (22.6 ± 1.1 km . h-1 versus 18.4 ± 1.7 km . h-1, respectively; average speed difference between male and female winners, 25.0% ± 11.9%), the Swiss Cycling Marathon (30.8 ± 0.8 km . h-1 versus 24.4 ± 1.9 km . h-1, respectively; average speed difference between male and female winners, 27.8% ± 9.4%), and the Furnace Creek 508 (27.4 ± 1.6 km . h-1 versus 23.4 ± 3.0 km . h-1, respectively; average speed difference between male and female winners, 18.4% ± 13.9%). In both the Furnace Creek 508 and the Swiss Cycling Marathon, ~46% of the finishers were aged between 35 and 49 years. The mean age of winners, both male and female, across the years in the Furnace Creek 508 and in the Swiss Cycling Marathon was 37 ± 10 years. Conclusion: These findings in ultracycling races showed that (1) ~26%-40% of starters were unable to finish, (2) the percentage of female finishers was ~3%-11%, (3) the gender difference in performance was ~18%-28%, and (4) ~46% of the successful finishers were master athletes. Future studies need to investigate the reasons for the low female participation and focus on the age-related performance decline in other ultraendurance events in order to confirm that master athletes are predisposed to ultraendurance performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica and to radiation emitted by natural radionuclides present both in rocks and sands was studied in the Brazilian extractive process and granite product manufacture. Respirable airborne dust samples were collected in working environments, where workers perform different tasks with distinct commercial granites types, and also in places where sandblasters work with sands from different origins. The free crystalline silica contents were determined using X-ray diffraction of the respirable particulate fraction of each sample. Dust samples from granite cutting and sandblasting ambient had the natural radionuclides concentrations measured by gamma spectrometry. Dust concentrations in the workplaces were quite variable, reaching values up to 10 times higher than the respirable particle mass threshold limit value (TLV) set by the American Conference for Governmental Industrial Hygienists of 3mgm−3. Also the free crystalline silica concentrations were high, reaching values up to 48 times the TLV of 0.025mgm−3. Additionally, our results suggest that the risk of radiation-induced cancer in the granite or marble industries is negligible. However, the combined exposure to dust, gamma radiation, and radon daughter products could result in the enhancement of lung cancer risks associated to sandblasting activities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Simple Summary: Soybean meal is the principal component of the diets for fattener pigs; however, there is a constant need for alternative, inexpensive, preferably non-GMO (genetic modified organisms) protein sources in swine nutrition. Corn dried distillers' grains with solubles (cDDGS), by-products of ethanol and bioethanol production, are one such alternative. Due to their chemical composition, they cannot completely replace soybean meal; however, even relatively small additions of cDDGS may decrease the cost of feeding and increase profitability of pig production. In this study, the pigs were fed two different diets: control (cereal–soybean meal-based) or cDDGS (with soybean meal partially replaced with cDGGS). The growth performance as well as carcass and meat quality traits of fatteners fed cDGGS-containing diets did not differ from those of their respective controls. However, the addition of even 15% of cDDGS did result in lower production costs and increased the profitability of pig fattening. The present study set out to determine the effects of incorporating cDDGS into starter, grower, and finisher diets (containing 5%, 10%, and 15% of cDDGS, respectively) on growth performance, carcass and meat quality, and cost effectiveness of pig fattening. Sixty-four pigs (mean body weight of 15.0 ± 2.1 kg) were divided into two groups (n = 32) and fed a control diet (cereal–soybean meal-based) or cDGGS-containing diets (with soybean meal partially replaced with cDDGS). Live weights of pigs as well as weight gains/daily weight gains across all fattening phases did not differ between the two groups of fattener pigs studied (p > 0.05). Addition of cDDGS decreased feed intake per pig during the grower (p < 0.05) and finisher (p < 0.01) phases, and, as a result, throughout the entire fattening period (254 vs. 245 kg for control and cDDGS groups, respectively; p < 0.01). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) for the entire fattening period was significantly less for cDDGS-fed fatteners (2.77) than for controls (2.91; p < 0.05). Carcass weights, fat thickness, and meatiness did not vary between the two groups of animals (p > 0.05). Loin depth was greater in the cDDGS group by ~5 mm (p < 0.05). Slaughter value was higher for the cDDGS group (76.1% vs. 77.0%, p < 0.05). The total cost of fattening and total cost of 1 kg of body weight decreased in cDDGS compared with the control subset of fatteners by ~7% and 8% during the grower and finisher phases, respectively (p < 0.01). The simplified direct surplus per pig was approximately 63% higher for the cDDGS group. Our results indicate that even moderate inclusion of cDDGS to concentrate mixtures (or a partial replacement of soybean meal with cDDGS) may improve FCR without any substantial changes in meat and back fat characteristics as well as significantly decrease the cost of feeding and increase the profitability of pig production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The breakdown of long chain arabinoxylans into smaller chain xylo-oligomers by the use of xylanase results in a shift towards fiber utilizing bacteria resulting in production of small chain fatty acids and improved pig performance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of xylanase (Econase XT; AB Vista) on finisher pig performance. A total of 598 pigs; (37.4 ± 1.0 kg) were fed a single-phase diet for 60 days. Pigs were assigned to two treatments; 0 (CTL) or 16,000 BXU/kg of xylanase (XYL) with 12 pen replicates and 24/25 pigs (mixed sex; gilts and boars) per treatment. The diet was based on wheat, barley, soybean meal, rapeseed meal, and wheat midds; SID Lys: 0.88%, NDF: 14.7%, and NE: 2090 kcal/kg. Average daily gain (ADG), feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were evaluated in phase 1 (0-26d), phase 2 (26-60d) and overall (0-60d). Liveability was measured per treatment. Data were analysed using JMP 12 using the standard least square platform and ANOVA was performed to determine significance at P < 0.05. The model included initial BW as a covariant. The results indicated that there was no effect of xylanase on liveweight, ADG or ADFI at any phase of the finisher period. The use of xylanase improved FCR in phase 2 (2.53 v 2.60: P < 0.05) and overall (2.44 v 2.49 P=0.03). No differences were seen in liveability (CTL; 96%; XYL 98%; P = 0.29). It can be concluded that the use of xylanase can be used in finisher feeds to improve FCR which is linked with greater energy utilisation that has been associated with greater fiber breakdown through xylanase use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 288 pigs (Line 600 241, DNA, Columbus, NE; initially 41.6 kg) were used in an 82-d trial to determine if replacing conventional yellow dent corn with high amylase corn (Enogen®, Syngenta Seeds, LLC, Downers Grove, IL) in diets with or without distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) influences growth performance and carcass characteristics. Diets were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial with 2 corn sources (yellow dent or high amylase) and 2 levels of DDGS (0 or 25%). Experimental diets were fed in meal form in 3 phases: d 0 to 29, 29 to 47, and 47 to 82. There were 9 pens/treatment each containing an equal number of barrows and gilts. Pigs were weighed approximately every 2 wk and at the beginning of each phase. On d 82, pigs were transported to a commercial packing plant for processing and carcass data collection. Data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX procedure of SAS with pen as the experimental unit. There were no interactions (P > 0.05) between corn source and DDGS inclusion for overall performance or carcass characteristics. Overall, average daily gain (ADG) was marginally greater (P < 0.089) for pigs fed high amylase than yellow dent corn with no evidence (P > 0.196) for difference in feed intake, feed efficiency (G/F), hot carcass weight (HCW), or other carcass traits. Addition of DDGS resulted in decreased (P < 0.037) overall ADG and G/F. Pigs fed DDGS had marginally lower (P < 0.071) HCW, less (P < 0.050) backfat, greater (P < 0.026) loin depth, and greater (P < 0.020) percentage lean and iodine values. In summary, high amylase corn tended to improve overall ADG; however, feed efficiency and carcass characteristics were unchanged between corn sources. Consistent with previous research, addition of DDGS decreased ADG and increased IV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Straw is a beneficial enrichment material for pigs, shown to improve welfare through reducing tail biting. Straw has previously been identified as one of the means of how to raise pigs without tail docking, through improving natural exploratory behaviour. Straw has however been linked to poor pen hygiene, making farmers reluctant to use straw and has largely not been implemented in commercial farming worldwide. Straw is a beneficial enrichment material for pigs, shown to improve welfare and reduce abnormal behaviour such as tail biting. Results: This study investigates the impact of straw on pig and pen hygiene in pens with partly slatted floor in three grower and four finishing pig batches on five commercial farms (2329 pigs, 211 pens) in Sweden which were providing straw daily. Each batch was divided into two treatments; Control: 50-600 g straw/pen/day based on the farm normal straw ration; and Extra straw; (=doubled Control ration). The pens were scored based on cleanliness of the pigs, solid and slatted pen floor every second week. The pig and pen hygiene were mostly scored as clean in both treatments, overall around 1% of the observations were considered dirty/soiled. Conclusions: As very few pens or pigs were considered dirty, it was concluded that straw provision is possible without risking poor pig and pen hygiene. Few observations in this study were considered dirty regardless of amount of straw that was provided, and had likely to do with other factors in the production rather than straw ration. These results implies that straw could be used in partly slatted pens in order to improve pig environment but more research is needed to quantify the impact of other external factors related to climate (e.g. temperature, humidity, velocity). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to compare phase-feeding strategies for grow-finish pigs using the estimated Lys requirements for optimal growth and feed efficiency compared to a standard strategy. A total of 1,188 pigs (PIC 359 × 1050, initial BW 28 ± 0.8 kg) were used in a 117-d growth trial with 27 pigs per pen and 11 pens per treatment in a randomized complete block design. Treatments consisted of: MAX, a 4-phase feeding program with Lys levels for maximum growth (1.13, 0.96, 0.82, and 0.77% standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys in phases 1-4, respectively); STD, a standard 4-phase feeding program for optimal income over feed cost (IOFC; 1.02, 0.87, 0.76, and 0.67% SID Lys in phases 1-4, respectively); STD/MAX, a 4-phase feeding program with standard Lys levels in early finishing and Lys levels for maximum growth in late finishing (1.02, 0.87, 0.82, and 0.77% SID Lys in phases 1-4, respectively); and 2-PHASE, a 2-phase feeding program based on average estimated Lys requirements for maximum growth with 0.96% SID Lys for phases 1-3 and 0.77% SID Lys during phase 4. The 4 phases were from approximately 27-50, 50-72, 72-100, and 100-127 kg BW. Pigs fed the 2-PHASE regimen had increased ADG (P<0.05) compared to pigs fed the STD regimen, and feeding either the MAX or STD/MAX regimen was intermediate. There was no evidence for differences in ADFI, G:F, final BW, or in carcass traits (HCW, yield, backfat, loin depth, and lean percentage). The STD feeding program resulted in the lowest (P<0.001) feed cost per pig and feed cost per kg of gain. Revenue and IOFC were similar across the feeding programs. In conclusion, feeding Lys levels for maximum growth and efficiency in either a 2- or 4-phase feeding program results in the same growth performance and feed cost. Thus, feeding a simpler 2-phase program may have benefits in reducing feed manufacturing costs and increasing overall economic return. Also, this suggests the range in Lys specifications tested herein can be utilized in grow-finish diets without compromising IOFC. MAX STD STD/MAX 2-PHASE SEM d 0 to 117 ADG, kg 0.876ab 0.855b 0.870ab 0.880a 0.006 ADFI, kg 2.29 2.26 2.28 2.29 0.022 G:F 0.382 0.379 0.381 0.385 0.003 HCW, kg 94.2 92.7 94.0 94.6 0.810 Lean, % 57.0 56.6 56.6 56.7 0.222 Feed cost/kg gain, $ 0.468a 0.454b 0.464a 0.469a 0.003 IOFC, $/pig 65.08 65.41 65.72 65.42 0.827 abP<0.05. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• M. hyorhinis was frequently detected in oral fluids in nursery and finisher herds. • High detection of M. hyosynoviae in oral fluids was observed in finisher herds. • Proportion of lame pigs and M. hyosynoviae detection in oral fluids were correlated. This study was designed to detect Mycoplasma hyorhinis and M. hyosynoviae in oral fluids and determine their correlation with lameness scores in pigs. Thirty-seven nursery and/or finisher herds were included in this study. Oral fluids were collected by pen. Using species specific real-time PCR M. hyorhinis was detected in 97% of sampled herds, whereas 70% were positive for M. hyosynoviae. Lameness scores were determined for all pigs in each pen where oral fluids were collected. Lameness was identified in 3.9% of pigs across all sampled pens. No correlation was observed between lameness in pigs in a pen and detection of M. hyorhinis in oral fluid samples (p > 0.05), whereas a significant correlation was observed between M. hyosynoviae detection in oral fluids and lameness (p < 0.05). A negative correlation was observed between the proportion of lame pigs in the pen and Ct values for M. hyosynoviae in oral fluids (p < 0.05; r = −0.27). An age-related effect was observed with M. hyosynoviae detection in oral fluids, indicating an increased prevalence of the bacterium in finishers compared to nursery pigs. Under the conditions of this study, M. hyorhinis was frequently detected in oral fluids from nursery and finisher pigs regardless of the clinical presentation of lameness, whereas the detection of M. hyosynoviae varied depending on the age of sample pigs. Our results suggest that oral fluids may not be an informative diagnostic sample for M. hyorhinis associated lameness. However, the association of lameness and M. hyosynoviae detection in oral fluids warrants prospective population-based diagnostic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to determine the effects of a multi-species direct-fed microbial (DFM) product based on lactic acid bacteria and Bacillus subtilis on growth performance and carcass characteristics of grow-finish pigs. A total of 1,188 pigs (PIC 359 × 1050; initially 25.8 kg BW) were used in a 121-d growth trial with 27 pigs/pen and 22 pens/treatment. Pigs were allotted to treatments based on initial BW in a randomized complete block design. Treatments included a control diet and the control diet with added DFM (BiOWiSH Technologies Inc. Cincinnati, OH) included at 0.055% of the diet at the expense of corn. Diets were based on corn, distillers dried grains with solubles, and soybean meal and fed in four dietary phases. Data were analyzed using a linear mixed model (PROC GLIMMIX, SAS®) with treatment as fixed effect, block as random effect, and pen as experimental unit. Overall (d 0 to 121), pigs fed the control diet had greater ADG (P < 0.05) and final BW (P < 0.001) compared to pigs fed the DFM diet (Table 1). There was no evidence for differences (P > 0.05) in ADFI or G:F between treatments. The difference in final BW resulted in heavier (P < 0.05) HCW in control pigs compared to DFM pigs, but no evidence for differences (P > 0.05) was observed in carcass yield, backfat, loin depth, and percentage lean between treatments. In conclusion, the inclusion of this multi-species DFM in growing-finishing diets reduced ADG in this commercial study. This response could be related to inclusion rate, feeding duration, or other factors not identified in this study, warranting further research to characterize the effects on pig performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "An examination of the role of dietary protein in regulating metabolism during the broiler finisher period," by R. W. Rosebrough, A. D. Mitchell, B. A. Russell, S. M. Poch and M. P. Richards is presented.