NexPro is a high protein feed ingredient that is generated via downstream processing of co-products from the dry-grind ethanol industry. Results from digestibility experiments indicate that NexPro contribute considerable quantities of amino acids and energy to diets fed to pigs, but there are no data demonstrating effects on growth performance of including NexPro in diets for weanling pigs. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that NexPro may replace other high-value protein sources in diets for weanling pigs without impacting pig growth performance.
Experimental design
One hundred sixty newly weaned pigs (initial BW: 6.02 ± 0.84 kg) were allotted to 1 of 4 diets during phases 1 and 2, whereas all pigs were fed a common diet in phase 3. There were 4 pigs per pen and 8 replicate pens per treatment. In phase 1 (d 1 to 7), the control diet contained 5% enzyme-treated soybean meal (HP 300) and 2.5% plasma protein, and no NexPro. Three additional diets were formulated by adding NexPro at the expense of HP300, at the expense of plasma protein, or at the expense of both HP 300 and plasma protein. In phase 2 (d 8 to 21), the control diet contained 7.5% HP 300 without inclusion of plasma protein or NexPro. Three additional diets were formulated by including 2.5, 7.5, or 10% NexPro in the diet at the expense of HP 300. In phase 3 from d 22 to 35, a common diet based on corn and soybean meal was provided. Individual pig weights were recorded at the beginning of the experiment, on d 7, on d 21, and on d 35. Feed addition was recorded daily and the weight of feed left in the feeder was recorded on d 7, d 21, and d 35. Growth performance data were summarized for each phase and for the overall duration of the experiment, and fecal scores were assessed visually every other day throughout the experiment.
Results
Average daily gain, G:F, and final BW of pigs fed the control diet were greater (P < 0.01) compared with pigs fed diets containing NexPro from d 1 to 7 (Table 1). For phase 2, a tendency for a reduction (P < 0.10) in final BW was observed when pigs were fed the diet containing 10% NexPro, but not for pigs fed diets containing 2.5 or 7.5% NexPro. However, there were no differences in ADG, ADFI, and G:F in phase 2, phase 3, or for the overall phase among experimental diets. Inclusion of NexPro did not affect fecal scores of pigs in phase 1 (Table 2). However, in phase 2, fecal scores for pigs fed diets containing 7.5 or 10% NexPro tended to be improved (P < 0.10) compared with pigs fed the control diet. Differences (P < 0.05) in diarrhea frequency were observed in phase 1; however, inclusion of NexPro in diets did not affect diarrhea frequency of pigs for the overall phase.
Key points
- Inclusion of up to 7.5% NexPro in diets at the expense of enzyme treated soybean meal or plasma protein did not impact growth performance of weanling pigs.
- Inclusion of 7.5 or 10.0% NexPro in phase 2 diets tended to reduce fecal scores,.
Table 1. Growth performance for pigs fed the experimental diets1
|
|
Diets2 |
|
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Item |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
SEM |
P-value |
|
d 1 to 7 (Phase 1) |
||||||
|
Initial body weight, kg |
6.012 |
6.028 |
6.020 |
6.024 |
0.270 |
0.500 |
|
ADG3, kg |
0.134a |
0.106b |
0.088bc |
0.074c |
0.008 |
<0.001 |
|
ADFI3, kg |
0.163 |
0.146 |
0.147 |
0.136 |
0.008 |
0.141 |
|
G:F3 |
0.837a |
0.731ab |
0.604bc |
0.538c |
0.048 |
<0.001 |
|
Final body weight, kg |
6.951a |
6.773b |
6.639bc |
6.544c |
0.277 |
<0.001 |
|
d 8 to 21 (Phase 2) |
||||||
|
ADG, kg |
0.285 |
0.292 |
0.277 |
0.267 |
0.013 |
0.515 |
|
ADFI, kg |
0.437 |
0.430 |
0.418 |
0.404 |
0.020 |
0.529 |
|
G:F |
0.662 |
0.681 |
0.663 |
0.661 |
0.022 |
0.877 |
|
Final body weight, kg |
10.940x |
10.860x |
10.513xy |
10.282y |
0.365 |
0.058 |
|
d 22 to 35 (Phase 3) |
||||||
|
ADG, kg |
0.554 |
0.552 |
0.572 |
0.566 |
0.016 |
0.748 |
|
ADFI, kg |
0.842 |
0.848 |
0.851 |
0.859 |
0.024 |
0.932 |
|
G:F |
0.661 |
0.653 |
0.672 |
0.662 |
0.020 |
0.865 |
|
Final body weight, kg |
18.612 |
18.583 |
18.518 |
18.200 |
0.515 |
0.810 |
|
d 1 to 35 (Overall Phase) |
||||||
|
ADG, kg |
0.362 |
0.359 |
0.357 |
0.348 |
0.010 |
0.759 |
|
ADFI, kg |
0.544 |
0.540 |
0.537 |
0.533 |
0.017 |
0.934 |
|
G:F |
0.671 |
0.666 |
0.666 |
0.656 |
0.018 |
0.919 |
|
. |
. | . | . | . | . | . |
1Data are least square means of 8 observations for all treatments.
2 Phase 1 diets = 0, 5 (no HP 300), 5 (no plasma protein), or 10% NexPro; Phase 2 diets = 0, 2.5, 7.5, or 10% NexPro; Phase 3 = common diet.
3ADG = average daily gain; ADFI= average daily feed intake; G:F = gain:feed.
a-cMeans within a row lacking a common letter are different (P ≤ 0.05).
x-yMeans within a row lacking a common letter tend to be different (P ≤ 0.10).
Table 2. Diarrhea score and frequency of diarrhea for pigs fed the experimental diets1
|
|
Diets2 |
|
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Item |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
SEM |
P-value |
|
Diarrhea score3 |
||||||
|
d 1 to 7 (Phase 1) |
1.88 |
1.71 |
2.17 |
1.88 |
0.152 |
0.172 |
|
d 8 to 21 (Phase 2) |
1.86x |
1.70xy |
1.55y |
1.50y |
0.103 |
0.066 |
|
d 22 to 35 (Phase 3) |
1.55 |
1.59 |
1.38 |
1.59 |
0.128 |
0.594 |
|
d 1 to 35 (Overall Phase) |
1.76 |
1.67 |
1.70 |
1.66 |
0.075 |
0.726 |
|
. |
. | . | . | . | . | . |
1Data are least square means of 8 observations for all treatments.
2Phase 1 diets = 0, 5 (no HP 300), 5 (no plasma protein), or 10% NexPro; Phase 2 diets = 0, 2.5, 7.5, or 10% NexPro; Phase 3 = common diet.
3Diarrhea score = 1, normal feces; 2, moist feces; 3, mild diarrhea; 4, severe diarrhea; 5, watery diarrhea.