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The main objective of this study was to present data on the current situation and future trends of pig meat production in the European Union-27 (EU). Pig production has played an important social and economic role for centuries in many states of the EU. In 2022, pig meat production in the EU reached 23 M tons, which represented 21% of total production worldwide. The two key reasons that justify such amount of pork produced, are the acceptance and high consumption of the meat by the local population and the high quality of the meat produced which facilitated pork export. However, current data show a reduction in pork production for the last three years, as a consequence of a series of events that include i) problems with the chain of ingredients supply, ii) uncontrolled increase in African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreaks, iii) fast recovery of pig production in China, iv) increasing concerns by the rural population on the high cost to meet future requirements of the EU legislation on farm management, environmental sustainability and animal welfare, v) increased cost of all inputs involved in pig production and vi) limited interest of the new farmer generation to work on the pig sector. Consequently, pork production is expected to decrease in the EU for the next years, although sales will be maintained at a relative high level because pork is the meat preferred by local consumers in most EU countries. In order to maintain the favourable position of the pork industry in the near future, strategies to implement include: i) maintain the quality of the meat destinated to export markets, ii) improve the control of outbreaks of ASF and other swine diseases, iii) implementation of technological innovations to improve working conditions making more attractive to work in the pork sector of the food chain to the new generation of farmers and workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of sex, source of saturated fat (lard v. palm oil) and glycerol inclusion in the fattening diet on composition and fatty acid positional distribution in the triglyceride molecule was studied in pigs from 78 to 110 kg BW. Average daily gain and carcass characteristics, including ham and loin weight, were not affected by dietary treatment but sex affected backfat depth (P<0.01). A significant interaction between sex and glycerol inclusion was observed; dietary glycerol increased lean content in gilts but not in barrows (P<0.05 for the interaction). Individual and total saturated fatty acid (SFA) concentrations were greater in barrows than in gilts. In contrast, the concentration of total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and of C18:2n-6, C18:3n-3, C20:3n-9 and C20:4n-6 in the intramuscular fat (IMF) was higher (P<0.05) in gilts than in barrows. Sex did not affect total monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) concentration in the IMF. The proportion of SFA in the subcutaneous fat (SF) was higher in barrows than in gilts (P<0.001). Within the individual SFA, sex affected only the concentrations of C14:0 and C16:0 (P<0.001). Dietary fat did not affect total SFA or PUFA concentrations of the IMF but the subcutaneous total MUFA concentration tended to be higher (P=0.079) in pigs fed lard than in pigs fed palm oil. Dietary glycerol increased total MUFA and C18:1n-9 concentration in the IMF and increased total MUFA and decreased C18:2n-6, C18:3n-3 and total PUFA concentrations in the SF. The data indicate that altering the fatty acid composition of the triglyceride molecule at the 2-position, by dietary intervention during the fattening phase, is very limited. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Two experiments were conducted to study the effects of inclusion of additional fiber in the Phase I diet on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in piglets reared under "optimal" or "poor" hygienic conditions. In both experiments, the design was completely randomized with a control diet that contained 2.2% crude fiber and 8 additional isonutritive diets that included 2.5 or 5.0% of sugar beet pulp (SBP), straw, oat hulls (OH), or wheat middlings (WHM). Preplanned polynomial contrasts were used to study the effects of 1) fiber inclusion (control diet vs. average of the 8 fiber-containing diets), 2) source of fiber, 3) level of fiber, and 4) interaction between source and level of fiber. In Exp. 1 (clean barn), fiber inclusion increased (P < 0.01) the incidence of postweaning diarrhea (PWD) and reduced (P < 0.05) feed efficiency and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of all nutrients except that of CP, which was not affected. Piglet performance was not affected by source or level of dietary fiber. The ATTD of all nutrients decreased (P < 0.05) as the level of fiber increased and was lower in pigs fed straw or OH than in pigs fed SBP or WHM. The apparent ileal digestibility of GE and DM decreased (P < 0.05) with fiber inclusion, a reduction that was more pronounced (P < 0.05) with straw or SBP than with OH inclusion, with WHM inclusion being intermediate. Fiber inclusion did not affect villous height to crypt depth ratio of the ileum mucosa. The inclusion of 5% of a fiber source increased Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus counts in the cecum (P < 0.001) but the E. coli to Lactobacillus ratio was not affected. In Exp. 2 (dirty barn), fiber inclusion did not affect piglet performance but tended to increase PWD (P = 0.07). Also, fiber inclusion reduced (P < 0.05) the ATTD of all dietary components except that of CP, which was not affected. Source and level of fiber did not affect ATTD of nutrients except for DM, which was greater for pigs fed SBP than for pigs fed straw (P < 0.05). In conclusion, in the current research, pigs reared under optimal hygienic conditions had lower incidence of PWD, better growth performance, and greater DM and GE digestibility than pigs reared under poor hygienic conditions. An excess of dietary fiber was more detrimental for all these traits in piglets reared under optimal hygienic conditions. The effects of the source and level of fiber on piglet performance was limited in the 2 experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of inclusion in the diet of different sources of soya bean meal (SBM) on growth performance, total tract apparent digestibility (TTAD) and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of major dietary components and mucosal ileum morphology were studied in Iberian pigs weaned at 30 days of age. From 30 to 51 days of age (phase I), there was a control diet based on regular soya bean meal (R-SBM; 44% CP) of Argentina (ARG) origin and five extra diets in which a high-protein soya bean meal (HP-SBM; 49% CP) of the USA or ARG origin, either ground (990 μm) or micronized (60 μm), or a soya protein concentrate (SPC; 65% CP) substituted the R-SBM. From 51 to 61 days of age (phase II), all pigs were fed a common commercial diet in mash form. The following pre-planned orthogonal contrasts were conducted: (1) R-SBM v. all the other diets, (2) SPC v. all the HP-SBM diets, (3) micronized HP-SBM v. ground HP-SBM, (4) HP-SBM of ARG origin v. HP-SBM of US origin and (5) interaction between source and the degree of grinding of the HP-SBM. Dietary treatment did not affect growth performance of the pigs at any age but from 30 to 51 days of age, post weaning diarrhoea (PWD) was higher (P<0.001) and the TTAD and AID of all nutrients were lower for pigs fed the R-SBM diet than for pigs fed the HP-SBM or the SPC diets. However, no differences between the HP-SBM and the SPC containing diets were detected for any trait. The TTAD of organic matter (P=0.07) and gross energy (GE) (P=0.05) tended to be higher for the micronized HP-SBM than for the ground HP-SBM and that of GE was higher (P<0.05) for US meal than for the ARG meal. Pigs fed R-SBM had lower villus height (P<0.01) than pigs fed HP-SBM or SPC but no differences in ileal mucosal morphology were detected between SPC and HP-SBM containing diets. It is concluded that feeding the HP-SBM or SPC-reduced PWD and improved nutrient digestibility and ileal morphology as compared with feeding the R-SBM, but had no effect on pig performance. The inclusion in the diet of added value soya products (micronized SBM or SPC) in substitution of the R-SBM increased the TTAD of all nutrients and reduced PWD but had no advantage in terms of growth performance over the use of ground HP-SBM. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In total, 240 pigs were used to compare growth performance and carcass quality traits of immu-nocastrated males (ICM), surgically castrated males (SCM), and intact females (IF) of crossbreds from Large White x Landrace females and Duroc (DU) or Pietrain (PI) sires destined to the dry-cured industry. Between the 2 Improvac injections (87 and 137 d of age), ICM and IF had less ADG than SCM (P < 0.01). Also, ICM ate less feed than IF and both less than SCM (2.33,2.55, and 2.77 kg/d; respectively; P < 0.001 ) and consequent-ly, ICM had better G:F than SCM and IF (P < 0.001). From second Improvac injection to slaughter (137 to 164 d of age), ICM were more efficient than IF and both more efficient than SCM (0.346, 0.323, and 0.300 g/g; respectively; P < 0.001). The differences in growth per-formance among genders observed in this period were more pronounced for the PI than for the DU crossbreds (P < 0.05 for the interaction). For the entire experimen-tal period (87 to 164 d of age), gender did not affect ADG for DU crossbreds but for PI crossbreds ICM and SCM had greater ADG than IF (P < 0.05 for the interac-tion). The ICM pigs had better feed efficiency (0.406,0.364, and 0.380; g/g; P < 0.001) and lower carcass yield (76.6, 78.1, and 78.8%; P < 0.001) than SCM or IF. Carcasses from IF were leaner than carcasses from SCM with carcasses from ICM being intermediate (P < 0.01). Ham and loin (P < 0.001) yields were greater for IF than for ICM or SCM. Intramuscular fat content was lower for IF than for SCM with that of ICM being inter-mediate (3.5 vs. 3.9 and 3.7%; P < 0.05). Cumulatively, crossbreds from DU sires had greater ADG ( 1.167 vs. 0.986 kg/d; P < 0.001) and ADFI (3.07 vs. 2.56 kg/d; P < 0.001) and more intramuscular fat (P < 0.001) but less ham and loin yields (P < 0.01) than crossbreds from PI sires. It is concluded that growth performance was better but carcass yield less for ICM than for SCM and IF. Intramuscular fat content in LM was less for IF than for SCM with ICM intermediate. Crossbreds from Duroc sires grew faster and had more intramuscular fat but less ham yield than crossbreds from Pietrain sires. Therefore, ICM should be preferred to SCM and Duroc crossbreds should be preferred to Pietrain crossbreds to produce carcasses destined to the production of primal cuts for the dry-cured industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of CP content and ingredient complexity, feed form, and duration of feeding of the Phase I diets on growth performance and total tract apparent digestibility (TTAD) of energy and nutrients was studied in Iberian pigs weaned at 28 d of age. There were 12 dietary treatments with 2 type of feeds (high-quality, HQ; and low-quality, LQ), 2 feed forms (pellets vs. mash), and 3 durations (7, 14, and 21 d) of supply of the Phase I diets. From d 7, 14, or 21 (depending on treatment) to d 35, all pigs received a common diet in mash form. Each treatment was replicated 3 times (6 pigs/pen). For the entire experiment, ADG (P< 0.05) and ADFI (P< 0.01) were less with the HQ than the LQ Phase I diets, but G:F was not affected. Pelleting of the Phase I diets did not affect ADG but improved G:F (P < 0.01). Feeding the Phase I diets from d 0 to 21 improved G:F (P < 0.05) but decreased ADG (P <0.01) as compared with 7 or 14 d of feeding. Postweaning diarrhea (PWD) tended to be greater (P = 0.06) for pigs fed the HQ diets than pigs fed the LQ diets and pigs fed pellets than those fed mash (P < 0.001). Also, PWD was greater for pigs fed the Phase I diet for 14 or 21 d than those fed the diet for 7 d (P < 0.01). From d 0 to 21, ADG and G:F were not affected (P > 0.10) by feed quality, but feeding pellets or increasing the duration of feeding the Phase I diets improved G:F (P < 0.01). Also, in this period, PWD was greater with pellets than with mash and for pigs fed the Phase I diets for 14 or 21 d than for pigs fed the diet for only 7 d (P < 0.01). From d 21 to 35, pigs previously fed the LQ diet had greater ADG than pigs fed the HQ Phase I diets (P < 0.001). Also, pigs fed the Phase I diets for 21 d had decreased ADG (P < 0.05) and ADFI (P < 0.001) and reduced G:F (P < 0.05) than pigs fed these diets for 7 or 14 d. Organic matter digestibility was greater for pigs fed the HQ Phase I diets than pigs fed the LQ Phase I diets (P < 0.05). Pelleting improved TTAD of all nutrients (P < 0.01). It is concluded that HQ Phase I diets increased TTAD of nutrients but not feed efficiency of Iberian pigs from d 0 to 35. Also, pelleting improved energy and nutrient digestibility and feed efficiency. Increasing the duration of supply of the Phase I diets from 7 to 21 d improved feed efficiency but reduced ADG. Therefore, the use of LQ Phase I diets in pellet form for no more than 7 d after weaning is recommended in Iberian pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 288 piglets weaned at 28 d and weighing 7.6 ± 0.2 kg were used in a 35-d experiment to evaluate the effect of CP content (44% vs. 49% CP) of soybean meal (SBM), micronization (fine grinding) of the 49% CP SBM (HP-SBM), and soy protein con-centrate (SPC; 65% CP) on total tract apparent digest-ibility (TTAD) and growth performance. In phase I (d 0 to 21 of experiment), there was a positive control diet that included 6.5% of CP from a SPC with 65% CP and a negative control diet that supplied the same amount of CP as regular SBM (R-SBM) with 44% CP. The other 4 diets included the same amount of dietary CP from 2 different sources of HP-SBM that were either ground (990 pm) or micronized (60 pm). All diets were isonu-tritive, and the main difference was the source of SBM used. Each treatment was replicated 8 times (6 pigs per pen). In phase II (d 21 to 35), all pigs were fed a com-mon commercial starter diet. For the entire phase I, the type of soy product did not affect growth performance of the pigs. However, from 0 to 7 d of experiment, pigs fed the micronized HP-SBM had better G:F (1.11 vs. 0.98; P < 0.05) than piglets fed the ground HP-SBM. Also, from 7 to 14 d of experiment, ADFI tended to be greater (P = 0.08) for pigs fed the micronized HP-SBM than for piglets fed the ground HP-SBM. During phase II (all the pigs received the same diet), no differences among treatments were observed. In general, TTAD of nutrients at 7 d of experiment was greater for the SPC than the R-SBM diet, with the HP-SBM diets being intermedi-ate. The TTAD of CP was greater (83.8% vs. 81.9%; P < 0.01) for the SPC diet than the average of the SBM diets. Also, the digestibility of OM and DM was greater (P < 0.01) for the HP-SBM either ground or micronized than the R-SBM diet. Micronization of the HP-SBM did not affect nutrient digestibility. It is concluded that when the R-SBM is substituted by SPC, CP digestibil-ity is improved, but no effects are observed on growth performance. The use of the HP-SBM in substitution of the R-SBM in the diet improved nutrient digestibility but did not affect piglet performance. The inclusion of micronized HP-SBM in the diet improved G:F during the first week postweaning but did not affect TTAD of nutrients. In general, the inclusion of added-value soy products (SPC or micronized SBM) in the diet presents little advantage in terms of growth performance over the use of HP-SBM in pigs weaned at 28 d of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In total, 360 pigs slaughtered at 125 kg BW and destined for the dry-cured industry were used to study the influence of sex and castration [immunocastrated males (IMC), surgically castrated males (CM), and intact females (IF)] in 2 terminal Large White sire lines [Top York (TY) and Tempo (TE)] on growth performance and carcass and meat quality. The female line was Large White × Landrace. The IMC pigs were immunized against GnRF with Improvac at 78 (experimental d 16) and 126 (experimental d 64, 48 d before slaughter) d of age. Each of the 6 treatments was replicated 6 times (10 pigs/pen). Through the day of the first Improvac injection (62 to 78 d of age), IMC and IF grew at a slower rate (P < 0.001) than CM with no differences in feed intake. The CM had greater G:F than IF, with IMC being intermediate (P < 0.01). From 78 to 126 d of age (between Improvac injections), IMC ate less feed (P < 0.001) and grew at a slower rate than CM, with IF being intermediate. The IMC were more feed efficient than IF, and both were more efficient than CM (P < 0.001). However, from 126 to 174 d of age (from the second Improvac injection to slaughter), IMC grew at a faster rate (P < 0.001) and were more efficient than IF and CM. Overall, IMC and CM grew at a faster rate (P < 0.01) than IF, and IMC were more efficient than the other sexes (P < 0.001), but had reduced (P < 0.001) carcass yield compared to CM and IF. The IMC and IF also had less (P < 0.001) backfat depth than CM. Intact females had greater (P < 0.01) loin yield but less intramuscular fat than IMC and CM and greater (P < 0.05) fresh and trimmed ham yields than CM, with IMC being intermediate. Crossbreds from TE sires grew at a faster rate (P < 0.001) than crossbreds from TY sires, but no differences were found for feed intake or efficiency. Crossbreds from TY produced greater (P < 0.05) fresh and trimmed ham yield, but less (P < 0.01) loin yield and intramuscular fat content than crossbreds from TE. In conclusion, IMC are more efficient, but have less carcass yield than CM and IF. The intramuscular fat content is least for IF and similar for IMC and CM. Crossbreds from TE sires were larger and had greater intramuscular fat content, but slightly less trimmed ham yield compared to crossbreds from TY sires. Immunocastrated pigs can replace CM for the production of heavy pigs destined for the dry-cured industry. Due to increased carcass weight, crossbreds from TE sires may have an advantage over crossbreds from TY sires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of feeding corn or rice, either raw or heat processed (HP), on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of nutrients and on insulin and ghrelin concentrations in the serum were studied in young pigs. Pigs were weaned at approximately 23 ± 3 d of age and weighed 7.4 ± 1.2 kg. Each of the 4 treatments was replicated 9 times, and the experimental unit was a pig individually housed. Pigs (5 males and 4 females/treatment) were fed their respective diets ad libitum from 23 to 47 d of age. At 37 d of age, the effects of dietary treatments on the fasting and postprandial concentrations of insulin and total and acylated ghrelin were studied. The ATTD of OM, GE, and ether extract were, respectively, 4.3, 5.4, and 3.6% greater (P < 0.05) for the rice than for the corn diets, but CP digestibility was not affected. Similar results were observed for AID. Heat processing of the cereal increased (P < 0.05) the ATTD by 2.1% for OM, 3.2% for GE, 7.1% for ether extract, and 2.2% for CP and tended to increase the AID of CP (P = 0.06) and starch (P = 0.09). The postprandial serum insulin response was greater and was more prolonged in pigs fed raw rice than in pigs fed raw corn (P < 0.05). In addition, the effects of HP on serum insulin response were more pronounced with corn than with rice (cereal × HP, P < 0.05). Total ghrelin concentration was not affected by treatment, but acylated ghrelin was greater (P < 0.05) at 6 h postprandially in pigs fed rice than in pigs fed raw corn. Feeding rice and HP corn increased nutrient digestibility and insulin response in the early postprandial period and increased the acylated ghrelin response in the late postprandial period compared with feeding raw corn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 200 (Landrace × Large White dam × Pietrain × Large White sire) gilts of 50 ± 3 days of age (23.3 ± 1.47 kg BW) were used to investigate the effects of castration (intact gilt, IG v. castrated gilt, CG) and slaughter weight (SW; 106 v. 122 kg BW) on productive performance, carcass and meat quality. Four treatments were arranged factorially and five replicates of 10 pigs each per treatment. Half of the gilts were ovariectomized at 58 days of age (8 days after the beginning of the trial at 29.8 ± 1.64 kg BW), whereas the other half remained intact. The pigs were slaughtered at 106 or 122 kg BW. Meat samples were taken at Musculus longissimus thoracis at the level of the last rib and subcutaneous fat samples were taken at the tail insertion. For the entire experimental period, CG had higher (P < 0.05) BW gain and higher (P < 0.001) backfat and Musculus gluteus medius fat thickness than IG. However, IG had higher (P < 0.05) loin and trimmed primal cut yields than CG. Meat quality was similar for IG and CG but the proportion of linoleic acid in subcutaneous fat was higher (P < 0.001) for IG. Pigs slaughtered at 122 kg BW had higher (P < 0.001) feed intake and poorer feed efficiency than pigs slaughtered at 106 kg BW. An increase in SW improved (P < 0.001) carcass yield but decreased (P < 0.05) trimmed primal cut yield. Meat from pigs slaughtered at the heavier BW was redder (a*; P < 0.001) and had more (P < 0.01) intramuscular fat and less thawing (P < 0.05) and cooking (P < 0.10) loss than meat from pigs slaughtered at the lighter BW. In addition, pigs slaughtered at 122 kg BW had less (P < 0.01) linoleic acid content in subcutaneous fat than pigs slaughtered at 106 kg BW. Castration of gilts and slaughtering at heavier BW are useful practices for the production of heavy pigs destined to the dry-cured industry in which a certain amount of fat in the carcass is required. In contrast, when the carcasses are destined to fresh meat production, IG slaughtered at 106 kg BW is a more efficient alternative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Iberian x Duroc pigs (n = 168), with an average age of 152 d and 42 ± 2 kg, were used to investigate the effect of feeding regimen [ad libitum access to feed (AL) vs. 82% of AL from 152 to 201 d of age and 72% from 202 to 263 dof age (FR)1 and sex (intact females, castrated females, and castrated males) on growth performance and carcass and meat quality. For the last 54 d before slaughter at 317 d of age, all pigs had AL access to feed. Between 152 and 263 d of age, pigs consuming AL had greater (P < 0.001) ADFI and ADG. than FR pigs; however, when all pigs received AL access to feed (264 to 317 d of age), ADFI (P < 0.05), ADG (P < 0.001), and G:F (P < 0.01) incieased in FR pigs compared with AL pigs. During the entire feeding period (152 to 317 d of age), ADG in FR pigs was less (P < 0.01) than in AL pigs. Feed-restricted pigs tended to have greater (P < 0.10) yields of trimmed hams and shoulders and less carcass fat than AL pigs, but feeding regimens did not affect chemical composition and color of meat. Intact females tended (P < 0.10) to have greater G:F and produced carcasses with less (P < 0.05) fat, greater (P < 0.01) proportions of primal cuts, and greater (P < 0.05) CP in the LM than castrated females and castrated males. It was concluded from this experiment that feed restriction applied from 152 to 263 d of age improved primal cut yields without affecting G:F, pork quality, and cured ham production traits. Moreover, intact females were superior to their castrated counterparts (particularly castrated females) in growth performance and primal cut yields. Therefore, feed restriction in intact females can be recommended as an acceptable practice for the production of Iberian pigs under intensive conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crossbred pigs (n = 240) from Pietrain x Large White sires mated to Landrace x Large White dams, with an average age of 100 d (60.5 ± 2.3 kg of BW), were used to investigate the effects of sex and slaughter weight (SW) on growth performance and on carcass and meat quality characteristics. There were 6 treatments arranged factorially, with 3 classes (intact females, IF; castrated females, CF; and castrated males, CM) and 2 slaughter weights (114 and 122 kg of BW). Each of the 6 combinations of treatments was replicated 4 times, and the experimental unit was a pen with 10 pigs. Castrated males and CF ate more feed, grew faster, and had more carcass backfat depth and fat thickness at the gluteus medius muscle but lower loin yield than IF (P < 0.05). In addition, CF and CM had more intramuscular fat (P < 0.05) and less linoleic acid content in the subcutaneous fat (P < 0.01) than IF. Pigs slaughtered at 122 kg of BW had lower ADG (P < 0.05), decreased G:F (P < 0.05), and more gluteus medius fat than pigs slaughtered at 114 kg of BW (P < 0.05). It was concluded that CF and CM had similar productive performance and meat quality characteristics when slaughtered at the same age, and that castration of females improved ADG and increased weight and fat content of primal cuts with respect to IF. Therefore, castration of females is recommended in pigs destined for the dry-cured industry because of the beneficial effects on quality of the primal cuts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 28-d trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of the main cereal of the diet (corn or rice), heat processing (HP) of rice, and the degree of starch gelatinization (SG) of rice on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dietary components and productive performance of pigs weaned at 25 d of age. The experimental design was a completely randomized, with 4 treatments and 8 replicates per treatment (5 pigs penned together). Control pigs were fed a complex diet without growth promoters and based on milk products, fish meal, and 50% cooked and flaked corn, with a degree of SG of 84%. Experimental groups received the same complex diet as the control group, but the corn was substituted by rice with 3 different degrees of SG; 11% that corresponded to raw rice and 52 or 76% that corresponded to cooked rice processed under 2 different conditions. Pig growth was measured at 25, 39, and 53 d of age, and ATTD was determined at 29, 39, and 53 d of age. The ATTD of all dietary components except for N increased with age (P <0.01) and were greater for the rice than for the corn diet. Heat processing of rice improved ATTD of all dietary components at 29 d of age, but no beneficial effects were observed at 39 or 53 d of age. Modifying the conditions of HP to increase the degree of SG of rice from 52 to 76% and to reduce mean particle size from 480 to 405 μm did not result in further improvement of nutrient digestibility. From 25 to 53 d of age, pigs fed rice consumed more feed (678 vs. 618 g/d; P <0.05), grew faster (466 vs. 407 g/d; P <0.01), and tended to have greater G:F (0.685 vs. 0.662; P <0.10) than pigs fed corn. In fact, from 25 to 39 d of age, pigs fed rice consumed 23% more feed (P <0.01), grew 29% faster (P <0.01), and had 5% greater G:F (P <0.05) than pigs fed corn. Feeding rice improved performance of weanling pigs, and HP of rice under mild conditions enhanced diet digestibility and productive performance of pigs. Severe processing of rice increased the degree of SG but did not further improve diet digestibility or growth performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of metabolisable energy (ME), supplemental fat (SFAT) and linoleic acid (LIN) content of the diet on the productive performance and weight of eggs and egg components of Isabrown hens of 22 or 74 weeks of age. 2. Six diets were formulated to contain the following concentrations of ME (MJ/kg), SFAT (g/kg) and LIN (g/kg), respectively: A) 11.8, 0 and 11.5; B) 11.8, 40 and 11.5; C) 11.8, 40 and 16.5; D) 11.2, 40 and 16.5; E) 11.2, 40 and 11.5; and F) 11.2, 0 and 11.5. Data were collected for 28 d and analysed using linear contrasts to test the effect of SFAT , LIN, ME and their interactions. 3. When the LIN content of the diets was maintained constant at 11.5 g/kg, an increase in the SFAT from 0 to 40 g/kg increased egg weight (63.8 vs 64.5 g; P<0.05), food intake (119 vs 124 g; P<0.01) and energy intake (1.36 vs. 1.42 MJ/d; P<0.01) and body weight change of the hens (-85 vs. 27 g; P<0.001). Supplemental fat also increased yolk (15.8 vs. 16.3 g; P<0.001) and albumen weight (40.8 vs. 42.3 g; P<0.01) but yolk to albumen ratio was not modified. 4. Egg and albumen weights were improved by SFAT in early but not in late producting hens. As a result, yolk to albumen ratio decreased in the younger hens, from 0.371 to 0.357, but increased in the older hens, from 0.408 to 0.415; P<0.01) with fat addition. 5. An increase in the LIN content of the diets from 11.5 to 16.5 g/kg did not modify any of the traits studied. 6. It was concluded that the LIN requirement of the hens for maximal productivity and weight of eggs is 11.5 g/kg or less. Supplemental fat increased the weight of eggs and albumen in the younger but not in older hens and the beneficial effect was independent of its LIN content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two methodologies widely used in digestibility trials for determination of acid-insoluble ash (AIA) in feeds and faeces are the procedure described by Vogtmann et al., 1975, (VO; Br. Poult. Sci. 16, 531) based on the boiling of the complete sample (4N HCl for 30 min), followed by ashing at 600°C for 6 h, and the procedure described by Van Keulen and Young, 1977, (VK; J. Anim. Sci. 44, 282) based on the sequential analysis of DM, ash, and boiling (2N HCl for 5 min) to determine AIA. In our test we used 12 experimental diets of similar nutritive value to determine apparent retention of nutrients and the AMEn by both techniques in 18 d-old broilers. The main difference among diets was the cereal used (corn vs. rice), the type of processing of the cereal (raw vs. heat processed), and the inclusion of a fiber source (none vs. 3% oat hulls vs. 3% soybean hulls) and all of them included 1% celite an additional indigestible marker. Each treatment was replicated three times (9 birds caged together). The AIA values of feeds and excreta were lower when determined by VK than when determined by VO (1.693 vs. 1.748% DM for diets and 6.655 vs. 6.961% DM for excreta; P < 0.001) but no interactions of technique x dietary treatment were found. The correlation coefficient of the AIA content of feeds and excreta between VO and VK techniques was good (r > 0.99). Nutrient digestibility and AMEn of the diets were lower when calculated with the VK technique than when calculated with the VO technique (74.6 vs. 75.0% for DM, 79.1 vs. 79.5% for OM, and 3,022 vs. 3,033 kcal/kg for AMEn; P < 0.05) but no interactions between techniques used for AIA determination and dietary treatments were observed. We concluded that either technique is acceptable to determine the apparent retention of nutrients and the AMEn of diets in poultry experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to study the effect of the level of neutral detergent soluble fiber (NDSF) and medication with 200 ppm apramycine sulphate and 120 ppm tylosine tartrate in drinking water on frequency of detection (FD) of Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium difficile and Campylobacter spp. at ileum and cecum. Three isonutritive diets (33% NDF, 20% CP, 20% starch) were formulated. Differences in NDSF were obtained by a partial substitution in the control diet of alfalfa hay (28% of inclusion and 10.3% NDSF) with either oat hulls (14.7% and 7.9% NDSF) or a mixture of sugar beet and apple pulps (15+5% and 13.1% NDSF). Eighteen rabbits/treatment weaned at 25 d were slaughtered at 35 d to collect intestinal digesta for characterizing microbiota population by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Data were analyzed by using the proc mixed of SAS including NDSF level, medication, and intestinal site as main effects and their interactions. Rabbit was considered as a random effect. Rabbits fed the lowest NDSF concentration had a higher FD of C. perfringens (39.4 vs. 24.3%; P = 0.016), Campylobacter spp. (50.0 vs. 27.8%; P = 0.001) and C. difficile (33.0 vs. 21.6%; P = 0.090) compared to diets with a higher NDSF levels. Clostridium difficile (P = 0.001) and Campylobacter spp. (P = 0.081) were more frequently detected in cecum than in ileum. Intestinal site did not affect FD of C. perfringens. Medication decreased FD of all the bacteria studied (P < 0.001). An interaction between level of NDSF and medication (P = 0.023) was detected for the FD of C. perfringens. When non-medicated rabbits were fed the low NDSF diet, they showed the highest FD of C. perfringens, but this effect was not detected with medication. In conclusion, the FD of intestinal pathogen bacteria might be partially modulated by NDSF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Progeny of primiparous sows (GIL) have lower birth weights, higher mortality and poorer performance than the progeny from multiparous sows (SOW). The reason is unknown but might be related to differences in colostrum quality. To confirm this hypothesis a total of 10 GIL and 10 SOW (3rd to 5th parturition) were selected from a group of 100 sows. Half of the piglets of each sow were reared by its own mother whereas the other half was fostered off to the other group of sows before colostrum intake. Therefore, there were four treatments arranged factorially with two types of sows (GIL vs SOW) and two rearing systems (GIL-R, reared with gilts or SOW-R, reared with multiparous sows). Average daily gain (ADG), feed intake and feed efficiency were controlled and blood sampled at 14, 28, 40, 60, 90, 116, and 142 d of age to analyse the concentration of Pig-MAP, an acute-phase protein used as biomarker of health status. At the end of the trial pigs born from GIL ate less feed (1592 vs 1436 g/d; P<0.01) and grew less (605 vs 669 g/d; P<0.001) than pigs born from SOW. Also, pigs GIL-R grew less (621 vs 653 g/d; P<0.05) and were less efficient (2.63 vs 2.39 g/g; P<0.001) than pigs SOW-R. An interesting interaction occurred for ADG from 88 to 116 d of life; GIL-R pigs grew less than SOW-R (P<0.01) only if they came from GIL. At 146 d of age BW was higher for SOW than for GIL pigs (87.0 vs 79.1 kg; P>0.001) and for SOW-R than for GIL-R pigs (85.1 vs 81.0 kg; P<0.05). During the fattening period mortality was higher for GIL-R pigs (9.2 vs 2.1%; P<0.05) suggesting that the quality of the colostrum ingested influences health status. In association with these results, Pig-MAP serum concentration was higher in GIL-R pigs (0.70 vs 0.86 mg/ml; P<0.05). An interaction was found at 116 d of life for this biomarker; GIL-R pigs from GIL had higher serum levels than the others (P=0.09). We conclude that both age of the sow and type of rearing after birth affect weaning performance and mortality during the whole rearing period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iberian pigs are the ancestral dark-haired pigs of Spain. Currently, they are reared under free range or intensive production systems and sacrificed at 150 to 180 kg BW, and both sexes are castrated. We used 160 Iberian pigs under an intensive system to study the influence of sex (EF, entire females; CF, castrated females; and CM, castrated males) and feeding level (AL, ad libitum; RT, 23% restriction of ad libitum feed intake from 42 to 112 kg) on productive performance and carcass quality at 152 kg BW. There were six treatments (3 × 2) and four replicates (seven pigs) per treatment. From 42 to 152 kg BW, EF tended to eat less (2762 vs. 2902 and 2840 g/d; P ≤ 0.10) than CF or CM but sex did not affect ADG or G:F. From 42 to 112 kg BW, AL fed pigs grew faster than RT pigs (720 vs. 551 g/d; P ≤ 0.001). However, from 112 to 152 kg BW, after the end of the feed restriction period, RT pigs recovered, and ate more feed (3714 vs. 3390 g/d; P ≤ 0.05) and grew faster (822 vs. 655 g/d; P ≤ 0.001) than AL fed pigs. As a result, G:F was better for RT than for AL pigs (P ≤ 0.01). At the end of the trial, RT fed pigs grew less (P ≤ 0.001) than AL fed pigs but G:F was not affected. Carcass yield (P ≤ 0.10) and carcass fat (51.7 vs. 58.2 and 58.9 mm at P2 and 40.9 vs. 49.4 and 49.1 mm at m. Gluteus medius; P ≤ 0.01) were lower and primal cuts yield was higher (43.8 vs. 41.9 and 41.4%; P ≤ 0.001) for EF than for CF or CM. Carcass yield (80.1 vs. 81.0%; P ≤ 0.001) and carcass fat (52.8 vs. 59.8 mm at P2 and 43.2 vs. 49.7 mm at m. Gluteus medius; P ≤ 0.001) were lower but primal cuts yield were higher (42.9 vs. 41.8%; P ≤ 0.05) for RT than for AL fed pigs. The use of EF rather than CF is recommended when Iberian pigs reared under intensive production systems are destined to the dry cured industry. Also, a 23% feed restriction from 42 to 112 kg BW might improve primal cuts yield of pigs at slaughter without jeopardizing gain to feed ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the influence of the cereal (rice vs corn) and the inclusion of zinc oxide (ZnO) in the diet on performance of pigs weaned at 21 d. Control pigs received a complex diet based on milk products, fish meal, and 47% extruded corn. Neither animal plasma nor growth promoters were included in this diet. The experimental groups received the same complex diet as the control group but corn was substituted by rice either raw, cooked or extruded. In addition, there was an extra diet based on extruded rice that included 0.3% ZnO. Each treatment was replicated six times (six piglets penned together) and the trial lasted 28 d. The percentages of starch gelatinisation (SG) and resistant starch of the cereal were 83.6 % and 4.04% for extruded corn, 20% and 2.70% for raw rice, 51.2% and 2.68% for cooked rice, and 76.2% and 2.85% for extruded rice. From 21 to 28 d of age ZnO inclusion reduced the incidence of scours (7.05 vs. 0.80 %; P< 0.01) and improved growth (196 vs. 133 g/d; P< 0.05) and G:F ratio (1.09 vs. 0.90 g/g; P< 0.10). At the end of the trial (49 d of age) ZnO inclusion tended to increase ADfi(501 vs. 453 g/d; P< 0.10) but did not affect ADG or G:F ratio. Also at this age, piglets fed the rice containing diets grew faster (402 vs. 341 g/d; P< 0.01), tended to eat more feed (500 vs. 479 g/d; P< 0.10), and had better G:F ratio (0.80 vs. 0.71 g/g; P< 0.01) than piglets fed corn. Rice extrusion did not improve piglet performance (P< 0.01) as compared to raw or cooked rice. It is concluded that the inclusion of ZnO reduces the incidence of scours and improves growth from 21 to 28 d and that rice, either raw or cooked to obtain a moderate degree of SG improves piglet performance from 21 to 49 d. A further increase in the degree of SG, as that obtained with extrusion of rice, did not improve pig performance. The inclusion of ZnO during the first days after weaning and of rice either raw or moderately cooked during the prestarter phase is recommended in piglet diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Condensed whey (MP) is a by-product of the cheese and milk protein industry that results from the ultrafiltration and pasteurization of liquid whey. On DM bases. MP is reach in lactose (46%) and has a moderate amount of CP (12%), MP is high in electrolites (6.1% K; 3.8% Cl; 2.1% Na). The MP, conveniently mixed with wheat (W), can be extruded (HP), a process that reduces the moisture content of the mixture to less than 10%. We studied the benefits of including a mixture (W-MP) composed of 80% wheat and 20% MP (W-MP) on coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) and performance of pigs weaned at 21 d. There were five experimental diets: 1) 49% raw wheat and 20% dried whey; 2) 31% W-MP, 25% raw wheat, and 14% dried whey; 3) 62% W-MP and 8% dried whey; and 4) and 5) same than diets 1 and 2 but replacing the raw wheat for HP wheat. All the diets have similar nutrient content except for the electrolytes that increased with increasing levels of MP. Each treatment was replicated seven times (six piglets) and the trial lasted 28 d. From 21 to 39 d of age piglets fed diets containing HP wheat grew more (308 vs. 282 g/d; P ≤ 0.05) and tended to be more efficient (1.14 vs. 1.19 g/g; P ≤ 0.10) than piglets fed diets containing W-MP but the effects disappeared with age. Replacing wheat (either raw or HP) and dried whey with equivalent amounts of W-MP increased CTTAD of nutrients (P ≤ 0.01). Also, HP of wheat increased the digestibility of OM, CP, and GE (P ≤ 0.01) over raw wheat. Pigs fed diets with high levels of MP and HP wheat (diets 3 and 5) had a higher incidence of diarrhea than pigs fed diets based on raw wheat and dried whey (P ≤ 0.01). We conclude that the inclusion of an extruded mixture of wheat and milk by-product increased nutrient digestibility but has little effect on productive traits. The high content of minerals of the milk by-product tested may be responsible for the higher incidence of diarrhea observed and might preclude its use at high levels in diets for young pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The glycemic index (GI) is useful to rank carbohydrates in humans according to their postprandial blood glucose responses. A low GI of a meal indicates a high level of satiety. Starch structure, heat processing of the cereal (HP), and degree of starch gelatinization (SG) have been shown to affect GI values of cereals in humans but no data is available for pigs. We conducted a trial to study the influence of cereal source, HP of the cereal, and degree of SG of rice on the GI in young pigs. There were four experimental diets and seven replicates (individual pig) per diet. The control diet was a complex diet that included fish meal, soybean meal, and 50% raw corn. The experimental diets were similar to the control diet but the raw corn was substituted by HP corn, raw rice, or HP rice. The percentage of SG was 15% for raw corn, 83.6% for HP corn, 15% for raw rice, and 63.7% for HP rice. Predicted GI of the experimental diets was determined using the International Tables of GI values (2002) and was higher for piglets fed rice than for piglets fed corn. Also, the predicted GI of the cereals increased with HP. The GI was determined in vivo at 33 d and 49 d of age using glucose as reference food. Piglets were fasted for 12 h and then, they were fed their experimental meals that contained approximately 50g of available carbohydrates. Pigs were sampled (capillary blood) at 0, 20, 60, 120, and 180 min after feeding to obtain the glucose curves. The GI was calculated by expressing the incremental blood glucose area in the test sample as a percentage of the corresponding area from a reference standard food. GI was higher for pigs fed rice than for pigs fed corn (48.1 vs. 43.3%; P<0.001). Heat processing of the cereal also increases GI values (51.2 vs. 40.2%; P<0.001). Results of this study indicate that rice feeding increases the GI with respect to corn feeding and that HP of the cereal also increases the GI. These data might explain, at least in a part, the increase in feed intake observed when rice is fed to piglets in substitution of corn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two trials were conducted to test the inclusion of vegetable protein sources in the diet on coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) and ileal apparent digestibility (CIAD) of nutrients in young pigs. In addition, the effect of particle size of soybean meal (SBM) and full fat soybean (FFSB) on these coefficients was also studied. Seven isonutritive diets (2,490 kcal NE/kg and 1.28% available Lys) were fed from 21 to 48 d of age. The main difference among them was the protein source used; a) SBM, 45.2% CP with an average particle size (APS) of 883, 400, or 137 μm, b) FFSB, 34.9% CP with an APS of 780 or 82 μm, c) soy protein concentrate, 56% CP (SPC) with an APS of 200 μm, and d) pea protein concentrate, 52.5% CP (PEA) with an APS of 30.0 μm. In all cases the source tested supplied 5.5% of the protein of the diet. Each treatment was replicated five times (six piglets) in trial 1 (CTTAD study) and six times (one piglet) in trial 2 (CIAD study). At 36 d of age, the CTTAD of OM (90.3 vs. 89.3 %; P ≤ 0.05), CP (84.8 vs. 81.3 %; P ≤ 0.001), and GE (88.8 vs. 87.3 %; P ≤ 0.01) was higher for piglets fed soy products (SOY) containing diets than for piglets fed the PEA containing diet, but no negative effects of PEA feeding were observed at 48 d of age. Piglets fed SOY diets tended to have better CIAD of CP (76.1 vs. 73.7 %; P ≤ 0.10) than piglets fed the PEA diet. Piglets fed SBM containing diets had better CTTAD of OM and CP (P ≤ 0.05) and CIAD of OM (P ≤ 0.001) than piglets fed FFSB containing diets. Piglets fed SPC diets had better CIAD of OM (81.3 vs. 80.3 %; P ≤ 0.01) and tended to have better CIAD of CP (78.0 vs. 75.6 %; P ≤ 0.10) than piglets fed SBM containing diets. Reducing the APS of the SBM or the FFSB used did not affect nutrient digestibility (P ≥ 0.10). We conclude that the inclusion of pea protein reduced nutrient digestibility, specially at young ages and that reducing particle size of either soybean meal or full fat soybean below 780 μm did not affect nutrient digestibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]