FEEDING MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR EARLY WEANED PIGS
USING SPRAY DRIED PORCINE PLASMA AND PELLETED DIETS
FOLLOWING TREATMENT FOR S. SUIS INFECTION
1D. Landblom, C. Poland, T. Winch and J.
Kubik
Dickinson Research & Extension Center
ABSTRACT
Three-hundred-seventy-eight, 18-21 day-old, pigs were used to evaluate
subsequent weanling pig performance, during the second and third dietary phases, following
initial phase 1 exposure to a commercial pelleted starter (CS) diet or farm processed
wheat/barley/dried whey based starter diets prepared with, or without, spray dried porcine
plasma (PPLS). One-half of the pigs in each treatment also received penicillin and S.
suis antiserum as a preventative procedure for S. suis infection.
Experiment 1. Pigs were fed a 3-phase starter program as follows: phase 1 = 7
days, phase 2 = 7 days, and phase 3 = 14 days. Numerical differences were measured for
ADG, feed intake and gain to feed ratio. Pigs fed the control starter consumed more
(P<.05) feed/pound of gain than the CS group. When PPLS replaced fish meal, pig
response was intermediate. Feed cost/pound of gain favored the control group. Progression
through the 3 phases in this first experiment was too rapid for the immature digestive
systems of young pigs.
Experiment 2. Feeding periods for the dietary phases were changed to the
following: phase 1 = 7 days, phase 2 = 14 days and phase 3 = 7 days. Phase 1 ADG and feed
intake for the pelleted CS and PPLS were similar, and greater (P<.05) than the control,
however, feed efficiencies were similar. Phase 1 feed costs were lowest for the control,
and highest for the CS group. Subsequent performance in phases 2 and 3 favored the
pelleted CS, in which, ADG, feed intake and feed cost/pound of gain were better than
either the control or PPLS supplemented starters. Compared to the control, pig gain for
the 28-day period translated into 27.7% and 16.8% heavier pigs in the CS and PPLS groups,
but cost more to achieve.
Experiment 3. Phase lengths were adjusted a third time as follows: Phase 1 = 14
days and phases 2 and 3 were fed for 7 days each. For pigs receiving the CS in phase 1,
ADG tended to be greater, and the feed to gain ratio was significantly (P<.05) lower.
In the 2nd and 3rd phases following CS in phase 1, where meal diets were fed, ADG and feed
intake were higher (P<.05) when preceded by the CS. In addition, there was a trend
toward lower feed:gain ratio, but feed cost/pound of gain was higher (P<.05) for the
CS. For the 28-day period, using pelleted CS resulted in faster ADG, increased feed intake
and improved feed efficiency, but when the higher cost for CS used in phase 1 was
included, feed cost/pound of gain was higher(P<.05) than the control, and equal to the
PPLS group. Compared to the control and PPLS groups, CS pigs were 23.2% and 26.3% heavier,
respectively, at the end of the study.
Pig response in phases 2 and 3 were strong indicators of weaning transition success and
nursery acclimitization that occurred in the first phase. Consistently better pig
performance was obtained when the nutrient-dense, pelleted, CS preceded phase 2 meal diets
that were fed longer (14 vs. 7 days). Cost is obviously important. Control starters were
more economical to feed with respect to feed cost/per pound of gain, however, the pigs
were lighter at the end of the 28 day period. Pelleted starters helped promote quick,
strong gains that are essential in developing early weaned pigs.
Pre-treatment with penicillin and S. suis antiserum injections did not improve
pig performance, suggesting that the low grade infection was not of sufficient magnitude
to affect pig growth.
INTRODUCTION
Matching feeding management methods to the growth curve of young swine (18-21 days) can
have a pronounced effect on post weaning growth and feeding economics. Physical form,
dietary protein quality and energy are criteria that, when in proper balance, will allow
pigs to grow at or near their genetic potential.
A review of the scientific literature reveals spray-dried porcine plasma
and dried whey to be important ingredients for young weanling pigs. Pelleting, as well, is
a beneficial processing method. Evaluated in numerous experiments, pelleting has
repeatedly been shown to enhance growth performance. Factors attributed to improved
performance include reduced feed waste, increased diet digestibility, improved growth rate
and feed efficiency (Patience and Thacker, 1989). Greatest response to pelleting occurs
when fibrous basal grains, like barley, are pelleted.
Animal protein supplements (porcine plasma, dried whey, dried skim milk, caesin,
lactose/starch, porcine blood, bovine plasma and meat extract) have been evaluated in the
diets of early-weaned pigs by Hansen and co-workers (1993). Of the supplement sources
tested, porcine plasma (10.3%) fed in conjunction with dried whey (20%) and added lactose
(10%) resulted in significantly higher average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed
intake, during the first two weeks after weaning, and for the entire 35 day post weaning
period.
Beneficial responses from dietary dried whey by young pigs has been
known for some time. The trend toward earlier weaning of pigs has resulted in a greater
reliance on whey in starter diets. Mahan et al. (1993) summarized the impact of dried whey
and lysine inclusion in early-weaned pig diets, and concluded that good quality whey
enhanced growth rates, feed intakes and gain:feed response.
A common practice among hog producers is to start freshly weaned pigs on a pelleted
commercial weaning ration containing high levels of dried whey followed by switching to
farm processed rations after the first 7 to 14 days. Since porcine plasma and dried whey
are important ingredients in the initial diets of early-weaned pigs, and pelleting has
repeatedly been shown to improve performance, feeding management strategies were evaluated
around nutrient dense diets containing a full compliment of dried whey and 4% spray dried
porcine plasma.
Objectives in this piglet feeding management investigation included:
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Three hundred seventy-eight (378) weanling pigs (18-21 days) were randomly allotted to
three dietary treatments in three triple replicated experiments of 126 pigs each.
Experiment 1. A farm processed (FP)
wheat/barley/dried whey based control diet was compared to a similar diet containing 4%
spray dried porcine plasma (PPLS), and a pelleted commercial starter (CS)
diet also containing dried whey and spray dried porcine plasma. The farm processed diets
and nutrient analysis of all diets are shown in table 1.
Pigs used in each experiment were transferred immediately after weaning, weighing and
vaccination (3-way vaccine; Schering-Plough) to a confinement nursery building and
allotted to experimental treatments. Seven pigs were allotted per pen, and there were
three replicates per treatment. Pen served as the experimental unit. The nursery building
used is a modular 12'x54' structure equipped with stainless steel pens (16 sq. ft.) and
feeders, Filter-ezeR flooring, "pull plug" type self contained manure
pits, positive ventilation and computer modulated ventilation and heat control.
Initial nursery room temperature was 85oF. A computer ramping feature in the
facilities environ-mental control system was set to lower room tem-perature one-half
degree daily from 85oF to 75oF.
The pelleted CS diet (Vigorstart 120 C - Med) was purchased from
Vigortone Ag Products' local retailer, Steffan Feeds, Dickinson, ND 58601. The FP
diets were prepared using a New Holland 355 grinder/mixer equipped with electronic scale
and 1/8" screen. The experimental diets were weighed into each pen and self-fed. Pigs
and feed were weighed at the beginning and at the end of each dietary phase change.
Experiments 2 and 3. Diets and handling procedures in the second
and third experiments were the same as those in experiment 1 except the length of time
each phase was fed varied. Variations in phase length are shown in table
2.
Determining whether using a preventative treatment with an antibiotic and S. suis antiserum
would reduce the influence of S. suis infection on performance was accomplished
by adding an additional set of replicates to each treatment in the three experiments. Each
piglet assigned to the additional treatment replicates received 1cc (15mg.) of amoxicillin
and 1cc of S. suis antiserum subcutaneously in the neck when weaned.
Pigs in all treatments were fed for four seven day periods for a total feeding period of
28 days.
All data were analyzed using the GLM procedures of SAS (1985). Pen was the experimental
unit. Main effects, production variables and all possible interactions were tested.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Experiment 1. Control, plasma supplemented and pelleted
commercial post-weaning starter diets were offered to 126 (14-15 pound) pigs during the
first 7 days post-weaning. After an initial seven day exposure to the starter diets, the
pigs were switched to a common farm processed phase 2 diet for seven days and a phase 3
diet for 14 days. Combined growth, antibiotic /antiserum treatment and piglet response to
initial starter diet types and subsequent response to dietary phase changes are shown in table 3. No differences were measured between the starters for ADG,
feed/head/day, and feed to gain ratio during the first seven days after weaning. Control
feed cost/pound of gain was considerably less than the CS and PPLS groups. In the second
phase, also fed for seven days, pigs that received the control and CS diets during phase 1
gained faster (P<.05) than the group supplemented with porcine plasma. Pigs offered
common phase 2 diets that had previously received CS consumed less phase 2 feed/day
(P<.05), and tended toward better feed and gain efficiency. When the common phase 3
diet was fed, no difference in ADG or feed efficiency was measured. Pig response for the
combined 28-day period was variable depending on the criteria considered. There was no
difference in ADG between treatments, but pigs started on pelleted CS consumed less
feed/pound of gain compared to the control group, and tended to be more efficient when
compared to the plasma diet. Feed cost/pound of gain favored the control starter. Feed
costs/pound of gain were $.21, $.22, and $.23 for the control, commercial starter pellet,
and plasma supplement, respectively, which translates into feed costs/pig of $3.86, $3.96,
and $4.14 for the control, PP, and pelleted CS groups.
Experiment 2. Data for experiment 2 is shown in table 4. In this experiment, feeding time for common phase 2 and 3
diets was reversed. Following exposure to phase 1 diets for seven days, phase 2 was fed
for 14 days and phase 3 for 7 days. In phase 1, ADG and feed/head/day for the CS and PP
were similar and greater (P<.05) than the control diet, however, feed efficiency was
similar. Feed cost/pound of feed for the short 7 day period was considerably lower
(P<.05) for the control group. Subsequent performance in phase 2 and 3 following phase
1 experimental starters favored the pelleted CS , in which ADG, feed intake and gain cost
efficiency were better than either the control or plasma supplemented starters. For the
full 28-day period, gain and feed consumption were higher for the pelleted CS pigs
compared to the control starter. Performance of plasma supplemented pigs was intermediate.
Gain performance for the 28 days translated into pigs that were 27.7% and 16.8% heavier
for the CS and PPLS pigs, respectively. Economic efficiency favored the control group.
Gain costs were $3.66, $4.58, and $5.28 for the control, PPLS, and pelleted CS,
respectively.
Experiment 3. In the third experiment, phase 1 feeding time was
extended to 14 days and phases 2 and 3 were 7 days each. Data has been summarized in table 5. Average daily gain in phase 1 tended to be slightly greater
for the pelleted CS, but the feed to gain ratio was significantly better (P<.05). Feed
cost/pound of gain for the CS was much higher (P<.05). Subsequent growth during phases
2 and 3 were remarkably good for all starter types. Pelleted starter groups had faster
gains (P<.05), though, and consumed less daily feed in phase 2, but in phase 3
consumption was higher. Significant differences in feed efficiency were not measured
during phases 2 and 3, however, a trend toward improved feed efficiency following the CS
was recorded. Feed cost/pound of gain also tended to favor the pelleted starter, but was
not of sufficient magnitude to offset the cost of feeding the pellet for 14 days in phase
1. For the 28-day nursery period, the pelleted CS resulted in faster ADG, increased feed
consumption, improved feed efficiency and higher cost/pound of gain (P<.05). Compared
to the pelleted CS, the control and plasma supplemented pigs were 23.2% and 26.3% lighter,
respectively. Feed cost/pound of gain favored the control pigs that cost $.05 less/pound
of gain than either the PPLS or pelleted CS. Gain costs were $4.03, $4.70, and $6.38 for
the control, PPLS, and pelleted CS groups.
The penicillin/S. suis antiserum treatment administered at weaning did not
improve performance in any of the experiments, as shown in Tables 3, 4 and 5, suggesting
that the low grade infection present was not of sufficient magnitude to affect pig growth.
Dietary phase changes reduce nutrient density provided by highly
digestible ingredients, and subsequently, feed cost. In an effort to reduce the amount of
time high cost diets were fed in experiment 1, the progression through the first two
phases was accelerated. Compared to the performance of pigs in experiments 2 and 3, where
feeding periods for phases 1 and 2 were longer, these data suggest that length of time the
early phases were fed was too short for the immature digestive systems of young pigs in
transition, and experiencing weaning stress.
Spray-dried porcine plasma was added at 4% of the diet as a replacement for nearly all of
the fish meal. Hansen et al. (1993) found a progressive improvement over control pigs with
each plasma addition from 2 to 10% of the diet. Kats et al. (1994) found that adding
porcine plasma at levels greater than 4% of the diet did not improve gain to feed ratios.
Since the 4% level was a practically priced level, and had been determined to be a pivotal
level in other swine nursery research, it was selected to replace fish meal at the 4%
level in these experiments. Adding 4% plasma supported pig responses that were equal to,
or slightly better than, the control diets, but were more costly/pound of gain.
IMPLICATIONS
Pig response in phases 2 and 3 were strong indicators of weaning transition success and
nursery acclimitization that occurred in the first phase. Consistently better pig
performance was obtained when the nutrient-dense, pelleted, CS preceded phase 2 meal diets
that were fed 14 days. Cost is obviously important. Control starters were more economical
to feed, with respect to feed cost/per pound of gain, however, the pigs were lighter at
the end of the 28 day period. Pelleted starters helped promote quick, strong gains that
are essential in developing early weaned pigs. here.
Table 1. Weanling pig diet composition fed during phase 1 and common diet formulations fed across treatments during phases 2 and 3.
EXPERIMENTAL DIET COMPOSITION (%) |
|||||
PHASE I | PHASE II |
PHASE III |
|||
CTRL | CTRL + PLASMA | COMMERCIAL STRTR. | |||
Spr. Wheat | 24 .3 | 24.3 | 41.8 | 35.4 | |
Barley | 19.1 | 18.9 | 21.3 | 38.8 | |
Whey | 24.2 | 24.2 | 7.42 | 0.0 | |
SBOM | 19.2 | 19.2 | 17.8 | 18.0 | |
Fish Meal | 5.9 | 1.9 | 3.96 | 0.0 | |
Soybean Oil | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.95 | 3.46 | |
Tr. Mineral | 1.45 | 1.45 | 1.7 | 2.0 | |
Lysine | 0.33 | 0.25 | 0.4 | 0.6 | |
Vit B Comp. | 0.164 | 0.164 | 0.197 | 0.166 | |
Vit A,D&E | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 | |
Copper Sulf. | 0.08 | 0.08 | 0.08 | 0.05 | |
Porcine Plasma | 0.0 | 4.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Mecadox Med. | 1.22 | 1.22 | 0.62 | 0.62 | |
Analysis (%): | |||||
Dry Matter | 89.6 | 89.6 | 89.6 | 89.4 | 89.0 |
C. Protein | 20.7 | 21.3 | 20.0 | 19.9 | 18.3 |
C. Fat | 5.7 | 5.4 | 7.5 | 5.6 | 4.9 |
C. Fiber | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 4.2 |
Calcium | 0.81 | 0.70 | --- | 0.88 | 0.71 |
Total Phos. | 0.78 | 0.73 | --- | 0.68 | 0.58 |
Avail. Phos. | 0.54 | 0.42 | --- | 0.44 | 0.31 |
Lysine | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.38 | 1.29 |
Met. En (kcal) | 3234 | 3253 | --- | 3246 | 3179 |
Cost/lb., $ | .1915 | .2777 | .3600 | .1309 | .0939 |
Table 2. Feeding intervals evaluated in objective 2.
FEEDING INTERVALS (Days)
PHASE: PHASE I PHASE II PHASE III
Expt. 1 7 7 14
Expt. 2 7 14 7
Expt. 3 14 7 7
Table 3 Combined growth and antibiotic/antiserum treatment on performance and piglet response to dietary phase changes [Expt.1
] Phase Lengths: Phase 1 = 7 Da, Phase 2 = 7 Da, Phase 3 = 14 DaCOMBINED PERFORMANCE
Item | Control | Pellet | Plasma | SEM |
Starting Wt. | 15.1 | 14.4 | 14.5 | -- |
End Wt. | 33.5 | 33.2 | 31.7 | -- |
Gain | 18.4 | 18.8 | 17.2 | -- |
ADG | .66 | .67 | .61 | .030 |
Fd/Hd/Da | 1.22a | 1.13ab | 1.05b | .040 |
Fd:Gain | 1.87a | 1.68b | 1.74ab | .058 |
Fd Cost/Hd/Da | $.14 | $.15 | $.14 | .005 |
Fd Cost:Gain | $.21 | $.22 | $.23 | .006 |
COMBINED PERFORMANCE - ANTIBIOTIC/ANTISERUM
WITH | WITHOUT | SEM | |
ADG | .63 | .66 | .30 |
Fd/Hd/Da | 1.12 | 1.15 | .493 |
Fd:Gain | 1.80 | 1.74 | .403 |
Fd Cost/Hd/Da | $.14 | $.14 | .668 |
Fd Cost:Gain | $.22 | $.21 | .195 |
PHASE PERFORMANCE
DAYS FED |
PHASE 1 | PHASE 2 | PHASE 3 | SEM |
||||||
7 | 7 | 14 | ||||||||
Item | Ctrl | Pel | Plas | Ctrl | Pel | Plas | Ctrl | Pel | Plas | |
ADG | .35 | .41 | .41 | .75a | .70a | .57b | .76 | .79 | .73 | .034 |
Fd/Hd/Da | .50 | .50 | .61 | 1.13a | .95b | .91b | 1.63a | 1.53a | 1.35b | .033 |
Fd:Gain | 1.42 | 1.22 | 1.68 | 1.52 | 1.35 | 1.67 | 2.17 | 1.95 | 1.87 | .127 |
Fd Cost/Hd/Da | $.10a | $.18b | $.17b | $.15a | $.12b | $.12b | $.15a | $.14ab | $.13b | .006 |
Fd Cost : Gain | $.27a | $.44b | $.47b | $.20 | $.18 | $.22 | $.20 | $.18 | $.18 | .023 |
a,b,c Values in same row with different superscripts differ (P<.05).
Table 4. Combined growth and antibiotic/antiserum treatment on performance and piglet response to dietary phase changes [Expt.2] Phase Lengths: Phase 1 = 7 Da, Phase 2 = 14Da, Phase 3 = 7
COMBINED PERFORMANCE
Item | Control | Pellet | Plasma | SEM |
Starting Wt. | 15 | 15.7 | 15.2 | |
End Wt. | 30.9 | 37.7 | 33.5 | |
Gain | 15.9 | 22.0 | 18.3 | |
ADG | .56a | .79b | .65ab | .032 |
Fd/Hd/Da | .99a | 1.31c | 1.18b | .036 |
Fd:Gain | 1.79 | 1.68 | 1.81 | .052 |
Fd Cost/Hd/Da | $.13a | $.19c | $.16b | .005 |
Fd Cost:Gain | $.23 | $.24 | $.25 | .011 |
COMBINED PERFORMANCE - ANTIBIOTIC/ANTISERUM
WITH | WITHOUT | SEM | |
ADG | .63 | .70 | .091 |
Fd/Hd/Da | 1.12a | 1.21b | .044 |
Fd:Gain | 1.79 | 1.74 | .416 |
Fd Cost/Hd/Da | $.15a | $.17b | .047 |
Fd Cost:Gain | $.25 | $.24 | .504 |
PHASE PERFORMANCE
PHASE 1 7 |
PHASE 2 14 |
PHASE 3 7 |
SEM |
|||||||
Item | Ctrl | Pel | Plas | Ctrl | Pel | Plas | Ctrl | Pel | Plas | |
ADG | .35a | .47ab | .51b | .63a | .88b | .68a | .64a | .91b | .74a | .035 |
Fd/Hd/Da | .5a | .62ab | .71b | 1.03a | 1.37b | 1.16a | 1.43a | 1.89c | 1.68b | .038 |
Fd:Gain | 1.49 | 1.32 | 1.42 | 1.66 | 1.56 | 1.73 | 2.34 | 2.09 | 2.28 | .107 |
Fd Cost/Hd/Da | $.10a | $.23c | $.20b | $.14a | $.18b | $.15a | $.13a | $.18b | $.16c | .007 |
Fd Cost : Gain ADG | $.28a | $.48c | $.39b | $.22 | $.20 | $.23 | $.22 | $.20 | $.21 | .016 |
a,b,c Values in same row with different superscripts differ (P<.05).
Table 5. Combined growth and
antibiotic/antiserum treatment on performance and piglet response to dietary phase changes
[Expt.3] Phase Lengths: Phase 1=14 Da, Phase 2=7 Da, Phase 3=7 Table
COMBINED PERFORMANCE
Item | Control | Pellet | Plasma | SEM |
Starting Wt. | 12.2 | 12.1 | 11.9 | |
End Wt. | 29.7 | 34.9 | 28.7 | |
Gain | 17.5 | 22.8 | 16.8 | |
ADG | .62a | .81b | .60a | .024 |
Fd/Hd/Da | 1.06a | 1.26b | 1.03a | .035 |
Fd:Gain | 1.71a | 1.55b | 1.72a | .035 |
Fd Cost/Hd/Da | $.14a | $.22b | $.17a | .005 |
Fd Cost:Gain | $.23a | $.28b | $.28b | .006 |
COMBINED PERFORMANCE - ANTIBIOTIC/ANTISERUM
WITH | WITHOUT | SEM | |
ADG | .68 | .68 | .776 |
Fd/Hd/Da | 1.10 | 1.13 | .456 |
Fd:Gain | 1.63 | 1.68 | .167 |
Fd Cost/Hd/Da | $.18 | $.18 | .34 |
Fd Cost:Gain | $.26 | $.27 | .07 |
PHASE PERFORMANCE
Days Fed |
PHASE 1 14 |
PHASE 2 7 |
PHASE 3 7 |
SEM |
||||||
Item | Ctrl | Pel | Plas | Ctrl | Pel | Plas | Ctrl | Pel | Plas | |
ADG | .43 | .53 | .43 | .69a | .99b | .66a | .95a | 1.21b | .88a | .042 |
Fd/Hd/Da | .64 | .68 | .68 | 1.22a | 1.58b | 1.13a | 1.74a | 2.11b | 1.64a | .042 |
Fd:Gain | 1.52b | 1.29a | 1.57b | 1.80 | 1.60 | 1.75 | 1.85 | 1.74 | 1.90 | .042 |
Fd Cost/Hd/Da | $.12a | $.25c | $.19b | $.16a | $.21b | $.15a | $.16a | $.20b | $.15a | .042 |
Fd Cost : Gain | $.29a | $.47c | $.43b | $.23 | $.21 | $.23 | $.17 | $.16 | $.18 | .042 |
a,b,c Values in same row with different superscript letters differ (P<.05).
LITERATURE CITED
Hansen, J.A., J.L. Nelssen, R.A. Goodband and T.L. Weeden. 1993. Evaluation of animal
protein supplements in diets of early weaned pigs. J. An. Sci., 71:1853- 1862.
Kats, L.J., L.L. Nelssen, M.D. Tokach, R.D. Goodband, J.A. Hansen and J.L. Laurin. 1994.
The effect of spray dried porcine plasma on growth performance in the early weaned pig. J.
Anim. Sci. 72:2075-2081.
Mahan, D.C., R.A. Easter, G.L. Cromwell,E.R. Miller and T.L. Veum. 1993. Effect of dietary
lysine levels formulated by altering the ratio of corn: SBOM with or without dried whey
and L-lysine-HCL in diets for weanling pigs. J. An. Sci., 71:1848-1852.
Patience, J.F. and P.A. Thacker. 1989. "Processing Diets for Swine" in Swine Nutrition Guide. Published by Prairie Swine Center, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, S7N OWO, pp 214.
SAS. 1985. SAS User's Guide: Statistics (Version 5 Ed). SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC.
1Doug Landblom, Animal Scientist, Swine Specialist; Chip Poland, Area Livestock Specialist; Tim Winch, Research Technician and Jeff Kubik, Research Technician, Dickinson Research Extension Center, Dickinson ND.