PSVI-18 Establishing ideal inclusion rate of fermented soybean meal (FSBM) in nursery rations.

To determine the optimal level of fermented soybean meal (FSBM; Fermex 200, Purina Animal Nutrition, Arden Hills, MN) in nursery diets, a total of 176 weaned pigs (5.96 kg BW) were blocked by initial BW and allotted to 1 of 4 treatments: Control consisted of an enzymatic soybean protein (HP 300, Hamlet Protein, Horsens, Denmark)-poultry byproduct diet or formulated with 5%, 10% and 15% FSBM to achieve FSBM1, FSBM2, and FSBM3 treatments. Pigs remained on the same dietary treatment for phase 1 (d 0–14) and 2 (d 14–29), while a common diet was fed in phase 3 (d 29–40). Individual pig weights and pen feed disappearance were recorded weekly. Blood was taken via jugular venipuncture and analyzed for complete blood cell count on d 0, 14, 29 and 40 from one pig/pen (n = 44) that represented the average BW for each pen. Data were analyzed using MIXED procedures of SAS (Cary, NC) with dietary treatment as the fixed effect, and initial BW block as the random effect. Orthogonal contrasts were performed to test for linear, quadratic and cubic responses to increasing levels of FSBM. A quadratic response to increasing FSBM was observed in ADG (P = 0.06) and ADFI (P = 0.04) during phase 1&2 (d 0–29). Moreover, the heaviest BW was observed in pigs fed 10% FSBM on d 29 (quadratic, P = 0.06), however the difference diminished by the end of the trial. A tendency for a linear increase with increasing level of FSBM was observed in overall feed efficiency (d 0–40, P = 0.07). Pigs fed 10% FSBM had the lowest WBC, neutrophil, and red blood cell count. Results of this study suggest FSBM fed to pigs improves growth performance and alters blood cell characteristics, and 10% is the optimal level of FSBM to include in early nursery diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]