Three experiments were conducted to determine the effects of increasing soybean meal (SBM) levels by replacing feed-grade amino acids (AA) in corn, corn dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS), and corn-wheat midds-based diets on growth performance of late finishing pigs (n = 4,406) raised in commercial facilities. Across all experiments, pens of pigs were blocked by initial bodyweight (BW) and randomly assigned to 1 of 5 dietary treatments. All diets were formulated to contain 0.70% standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys and varying amounts of feed-grade AA. All diets were formulated to meet or exceed minimum essential AA requirement estimates as a ratio to Lys. In Exp. 1, 1,793 pigs (initially 104.9 ± 4.9 kg) were fed corn-based diets and pens of pigs were assigned treatments with increasing SBM from 5% to 20%. Overall, average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency (G:F) improved (linear and cubic, P ≤ 0.02) as dietary SBM increased, with the greatest improvement observed as SBM increased from 5% to 8.75% and little improvement thereafter. In Exp. 2, 1,827 pigs (initially 97.9 ± 4.3 kg) were fed diets containing 25% DDGS with SBM levels increasing from 0% to 16%. Overall, feed efficiency marginally improved (linear, P ≤ 0.10) as SBM increased, with the greatest performance observed when diets contained 8% SBM and similar performance thereafter with 12 or 16% dietary SBM. In Exp. 3, 786 pigs (initially 96.7 ± 3.2 kg) were fed diets that contained 30% wheat midds and dietary SBM from 0% to 16%. Final BW of pigs increased (linear, P < 0.05) and overall ADG and G:F improved (linear and cubic, P < 0.05) as SBM increased.
Article Quarter: FY23 Q3
Quantifying the value of soybean meal in poultry and swine diets
The soybean supply chain incentivizes upstream participants (farmers) to maximize crop yield (volume), while downstream participants (nutritionists) make decisions based on crop quality characteristics such as amino acid concentration and energy content. These parameters tend to decline as soybean yield increases, consequently, the value proposition for soybean meal (SBM) is not fully recognized in the market. Furthermore, on a global basis, SBM sales are based primarily on minimum crude protein (CP) content, which does not fully account for the true value of SBM to the end user. In this study, a systematic framework was developed to quantify SBM value in both poultry and swine diets using the nutritional attributes (digestible amino acids and energy) that are the primary determinants of end-user value. To demonstrate the application value of soybean meal and its nutrient composition, SBM samples were analyzed for moisture, CP, and 11 amino acids. These values were then regressed to estimate five SBM CP concentrations (44.0%, 45.0%, 46.0%, 47.0% and 48.0% CP) and the corresponding energy, and then used in a formulation exercise. Least cost diet formulation software calculated the cost of diets for poultry and swine for the five SBM CP concentrations. For each scenario, the only change allowed during the least cost optimization was the individual CP concentration of SBM. Relative SBM value was calculated based on SBM use (kg), total diet costs ($/MT) and current market ingredient prices ($/MT) for the diet formulas.
Effect of soy co-products in supplements for growing cattle on hemocytology following a lipopolysaccharide challenge
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of including soy co-products (soybean meal and soy oil) in the diet on the hemocytology of cattle after an endotoxin challenge. For the growing phase, crossbred Angus steers (n = 36; initial body weight 289 ± 31 kg) were stratified by body weight and sire and randomly assigned to pastures (n = 9; 0.45 ha mixed grass). Pastures were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 dietary treatments: 1) a control supplement containing no soy co-products (CON); 2) a supplement containing soybean meal (SBM); or 3) a supplement containing soy oil (SBO). All supplements were isonitrogenous and isoenergetic. Cattle were fed supplements (2.45 kg DM/day) for 56 days. At the conclusion of the growing phase, cattle were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 groups for a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge (i.v. infusion of 0.5 µg LPS/kg of body weight). A minimum of 18 hours before sampling, cattle were fitted with jugular vein catheters and placed into stanchions. Blood was collected starting 2 hours before LPS infusion (-2 hr), immediately prior to LPS infusion (0 hr), and at 2, 4, 6, and 8 hr. Statistical analyses were performed using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4® as repeated measures with treatment, time, and treatment × time interaction as fixed effects, challenge group as random effect, and calf specified as the subject. Statistical significance was declared at P ≤ 0.05 and tendencies declared at 0.05 < P ≤ 0.1. There were treatment × time interactions for neutrophils (P = 0.003), percentage of neutrophils (P = 0.002), percentage of lymphocytes (P = 0.006), and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NE:LY ratio; P = 0.001). Briefly, neutrophils, percentage of neutrophils, and NE:LY ratio were lower for cattle on CON diets compared to SBM at -2 hr and 0 hr (P < 0.01). Also, the percentage of neutrophils were greater at 8 hr for cattle on SBO diets than SBM diets (P = 0.018). The percentage of lymphocytes were greater for cattle on the CON diets compared to the SBM diets at 0 and -2 hr (P < 0.015). There was a treatment effect for percentage of monocytes (P = 0.035), as the CON diet had greater monocyte percentage compared to the SBM diet, and the SBO diet tended to have greater monocyte percentage compared to SBM diet. There was a time effect for all other hematology variables (P < 0.0001), as leukocytes were typically higher pre-administration of LPS, sharply decreased at 2 and 4 hrs post-administration of LPS and began to increase at 6 and 8 hrs.
Evaluation of dietary fiber inclusion on semen production and semen characteristics in mature AI boars
This experiment was conducted at Purdue University swine research and education center. The objective of this study was to determine if the inclusion of fiber (8.48% vs 14.85% NDF) in the diet of boars influenced semen characteristics, concentration, motility, and morphology. Twenty-seven boars from two age groups (7 months and 18 months) and two genetic lines (maternal and terminal) were utilized in this study over a twelve-week period with one week prior to the study data serving as a baseline for statistical analysis. Boars were blocked by age and breed and randomly allotted to receive 2.72 kg/d of corn-soybean meal diet (CON, n=13) formulated to meet NRC (2012) requirements or an isocaloric (estimated ME=3285 Kcal/kg) corn-soybean meal diet with 14.3% soyhulls and supplemental choice white grease (4.65%) inclusions (FIBER, n=14). Semen was collected once per week per boar using the gloved hand method. While at the farm 3 mL of semen was mixed with 27 mL of extender (Androhep Plus, Minitube) to make a 1:10 dilution. The semen was then driven approximately 19 kilometers to Purdue University where concentration (Nucleocounter SP-100), motility (Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis, CASA, CEROS II), and sperm cell morphology were analyzed. Statistical analysis were conducted using PROC MIXED in SAS 9.4 (Cary, NC), with the main effects of diet, age, and breed with week as a repeated measure. Significance was determined at P< 0.05 and a trend was observed at 0.05< P≤0.10. Fiber in the diet did not affect any semen characteristics throughout the study. However, the percent morphologically normal sperm was higher in young boars compared to the older boars (80.6% vs 74.1%, P=0.0143) resulting from fewer head/tail abnormalities (1.8% vs 2.4%, P=0.0249) and distal droplets (7.2% vs 9.6%, P=0.0508). Maternal boars had fewer proximal droplets (6.9% vs 9.9%, P= 0.0325) and tended to have fewer head/tail abnormalities (1.8% vs 2.3%, P=0.0800). Terminal boars tended to have fewer distal midpiece reflex abnormalities than maternal boars (3.3% vs 4.8%, P=0.0948).
Evaluation of dietary fiber inclusion on body weight, body condition, fecal score, and metabolic indicators in mature AI boars
This experiment was conducted at the Purdue University swine research and education center. The objective of this study was to determine if the inclusion of fiber (8.48% vs 14.85% NDF) in the diet influenced boar bodyweight, backfat depth, loin depth, Knauer sow caliper measurement, flank to flank distance, and visual body condition score (BCS). Twenty-seven boars from two age groups (7 months and 18 months) and two genetic lines (maternal and terminal) were utilized over a twelve-week period with one week prior to the study data serving as baseline for statistical analysis. Fecal samples were also taken and scored using the Bristol stool scoring system. Timepoints for sample collection were on weeks -1,3,7, and 11. Boars were blocked by age and breed and randomly allotted to receive 2.72 kg/d of corn-soybean meal diet (CON, n=13) formulated to meet NRC (2012) requirements or an isocaloric (estimated ME=3285 Kcal/kg) corn-soybean meal diet with 14.3% soyhulls and supplemental choice white grease (4.65%) inclusions (FIBER, n=14). Data were analyzed using PROC GLM in SAS 9.4 (Cary, North Carolina) with boar serving as the experimental unit. Weeks were analyzed individually and changes in bodyweight, backfat depth, loin depth, caliper measurements, flank to flank distance, and BCS were evaluated from week -1 to week 12. Significance was determined at P< 0.05 and a trend was observed at 0.05< P≤0.10. FIBER boars gained 8.4 kg more than CON boars during the 12-week study (P=0.0221). On weeks 3 and 11, FIBER boars tended to have increased backfat depth compared to CON boars (P< 0.0950), resulting in FIBER boars gaining 2.9 mm more backfat compared to CON (P=0.0053) over the 12-week study. No difference in loin muscle depth was observed between treatments. On weeks 7 (3.7 vs 3.4, P=0.0923) and 11(3.9 vs 3.5, P=0.0615) FIBER boars tended to have higher BCS score compared to Con boars. FIBER boars on week 11 tended to have larger tape measurements (105.9 cm vs 103.9 cm, P=0.0945) and larger caliper score (19.4 vs 17.6, P=0.0029) than CON boars, but no difference in overall 12 week change for both measurements. FIBER boars tended to have softer stools during week 3 of the trial compared to CON boars (P=0.0535), but the fecal scores were not different at any other week.
Impact of amount and solubility of dietary fiber fed during late gestation and during the pre-farrowing period on sow serum chemistry and piglet vitality index
This study evaluated the impact of level and solubility of total dietary fiber (TDF) when fed to sows during late gestation and early pre-farrowing on serum chemistry, glucose status and farrowing characteristics. Sows were assigned to a control with no supplement, or a supplement provided once per day at either 0.45 or 0.90 kg. The fiber supplement consisted of either a high soluble dietary fiber (SDF) formulation (9.63% SDF, and 25.25% of insoluble dietary fiber (IDF)) or a high IDF formulation (30.73% IDF and 4.18% SDF). Fiber supplements were formulated using sugar beet pulp and soybean hulls and were provided in addition to a common gestation (12.0% TDF) and lactation diet (11.30% TDF) from day 99 (±1 d) of gestation until parturition. Blood samples were collected from sows on day 110 of gestation immediately prior to the morning feeding, and 2 and 4 hours after feeding for the analysis of serum chemistry and glucose status, comparing the control and the 0.90 kg SDF and IDF treatments (n=15 sows). Serological results were within expected ranges. Supplementation with SDF, but not IDF, decreased concentrations of γ-glutamyl transferase (P=0.003) compared to the control (32.20 vs 39.20 and 44.02 IU/L, respectively) and magnesium tended (P=0.09) to increase with fiber supplementation. Glucose concentrations measured with a hand-held glucose meter were not affected by time relative to feeding, fiber supplementation, or their interaction (P=0.94). A pilot study evaluated the impact of the amount of fiber supplemented and the composition of fiber on total duration of fetal expulsion and piglet vitality index (PVI) using video equipment. The PVI scale ranged from 0-3 where 0= no movement, no breathing; and 3= good movement, breathing, and able to stand within 1 minute or less. Cameras (n=12) were placed in the farrowing room the day sows were transferred from gestation (112±1 d). Duration of fetal expulsion ranged from 2.36 to 11.0 hours but was not influenced by fiber supplementation. Partial correlation analysis revealed a negative relationship between the birth interval and PVI (r = -0.24; P= 0.003) and total duration of fetal expulsion and PVI (r = -0.53; P< 0.001), irrespective of treatments.
Impact of prefarrow fat supplementation on piglet survival and subsequent reproduction
Past research (40+ years ago) suggests feeding fat to sows prior to parturition and during lactation improves piglet energy stores, sow colostrum fat percentage, sow milk fat percentage and piglet survival. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the impact of sow fat feeding on piglet survival and throughput in a modern production system. Data was collected from 1866 sows at a 3600 sow commercial farm in eastern North Carolina between May and August. Sows were randomly assigned to one of four treatments from day 108 of gestation until farrowing (no supplementation (Control), supplemented with 227g or 454g of soybean oil per day, supplemented with 227g of coconut oil per day). Oil sources were top dressed daily with 2.27kg of lactation diet. After farrowing, sows had ad libitum access to the lactation diet. At birth, piglets received a colored ear tag corresponding to prefarrow diet. Traits recorded included; total number of piglets born, stillborns, crossfosters, number weaned, piglet survival (number weaned ÷ total number born), litter weaning weight, lactation length, whether a sow farrowed a subsequent litter, subsequent total number born, subsequent number born alive, subsequent stillborns, Knauer sow body condition caliper score prefarrow and sow caliper score at weaning. Linear models were used in statistical analysis. Fixed effects included sow prefarrow diet, parity, contemporary group and location of the sow within the farrowing room. Covariates were included when applicable. Results are shown in Table 1. Stillborns and stillborn percentage did not differ (P >0.05) between dietary treatments. Yet sows supplemented with soybean oil tended (P=0.10) to have fewer stillborn piglets (0.06 piglets) than Control sows. No differences (P >0.05) in piglet survival across dietary treatments were observed. Sows supplemented with soybean or coconut oil prefarrow had greater (P< 0.05) subsequent total number born (13.71 vs. 13.31 piglets) and tended (P=0.07) to have greater subsequent number born alive (13.07 vs. 12.72 piglets) than Control fed sows. Accordingly, sows supplemented with soybean oil tended (P=0.08) to have more subsequent total number born (13.69 vs. 13.31 piglets) and tended (P=0.09) to have higher subsequent number born alive (13.07 vs. 12.72 piglets) than Control fed sows. No differences (P >0.05) in sow body condition loss during lactation were observed between dietary treatments.
Effects of extruded-expelled soybean meal and benzoic acid on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and carcass fat iodine value of finishing pigs
A total of 2,162 pigs (PIC 1050 × DNA 600; initially 31.4 ± 0.47 kg) were used in a 109-d finishing trial to evaluate the effects of extruded-expelled soybean meal (EESBM) and benzoic acid on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and carcass fat iodine value. Pigs were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 treatments with 27 to 28 pigs per pen and 20 pens per treatment. Dietary treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial with main effects of soybean meal source and benzoic acid. Diets contained either conventional soybean meal (SBM) or extruded-expelled soybean meal (EESBM; Lester Feed and Grain, Lester, IA) with or without 0.25% benzoic acid (VevoVitall ,DSM Nutritional Products; Parsippany, NJ). The EESBM was analyzed to be 43.2% CP and 7.73% fat (acid hydrolysis). Experimental diets were not balanced for energy, but rather formulated to the same SID Lys:ME ratio and fed based on a feed budget from d 0 to 109 in 6 phases. Overall (d 0 to 109), there were no interactions between soybean meal source and benzoic acid (P > 0.10). There was a main effect of soybean meal source where pigs fed EESBM had reduced (P = 0.010) ADFI compared to pigs fed conventional SBM without influencing ADG, resulting in increased (P < 0.001) G:F. Also, pigs fed diets with benzoic acid had reduced (P = 0.022) ADFI compared to pigs fed diets without benzoic acid without changes in ADG, resulting in pigs fed benzoic acid having increased (P = 0.006) G:F. When evaluating caloric efficiency, pigs fed diets containing benzoic acid had improved (P < 0.001) metabolizable energy (ME) caloric efficiency compared to pigs fed diets without benzoic acid, with soybean meal source not having any impact. For carcass belly fat IV, pigs fed EESBM had increased (P < 0.001) carcass belly fat iodine value compared to pigs fed conventional SBM.
The effect of soybean meal and its functional compounds on growth performance, fecal scores, and fecal characteristics of nursery pigs
High levels of soybean meal (SBM) are deterred in nursery diets due to antinutritional factors and impacts on fecal consistency. However, SBM may improve performance in the presence of inflammatory stressors due to its functional compounds. The experimental objective was to evaluate the non-nutritive value of SBM and its functional compounds on growth performance and fecal characteristics of nursery pigs. A total of 408 newly weaned pigs with an initial BW of 5.43 ±0.77 kg were used for a 35-d study across three replications. Pigs were randomly assigned to 1 of 6 dietary treatments fed across 3 phases: d 0-7 (phase 1), d 7-21 (phase 2), and d 21-35 (phase 3). Dietary treatments consisted of a high SBM control (SBMC), a control void of SBM (SP), but included soy protein isolate and concentrate to provide amino acids similar to SBM in SBMC; SP formulated to equivalent contribution of isoflavones as SBMC (SP+ISO); SP diet fortified with soybean functional lipids to the level of SBMC (SP+LIP); SP formulated with a similar ratio of insoluble to soluble fiber as SBMC (SP+FIB); or SP diet fortified with lunasin (SP+LUN). There were 9 split-sex pens per treatment (7 or 8 pigs/pen). On d 7, 14, 21, and 35, pigs and feeders were weighed, pen fecal samples were collected, and fecal score was evaluated using a 4-point scale (1=solid; 4=liquid). Continuous data were analyzed as a linear mixed model (PROC MIXED) with treatment and period as fixed effects, replicate as a random effect, and initial BW as a covariate where appropriate. Fecal scores were analyzed using a multinomial model in PROC FREQ. Compared to SP, on d 7 and 14 pigs fed SBMC and SP+FIB had reduced fecal dry matter (DM%), but on d 21 and 35, fecal DM% did not differ among treatments (time×treatment P=0.016). There was a treatment×time interaction for fecal score, whereas on d 7, pigs fed SBMC had increased proportion of semi-liquid feces and on d 14 pigs fed SP+FIB had increased abundance of semi-liquid feces, but fecal score distribution did not differ on d 21 or 35 (time×treatment P=0.035). Fecal water binding capacity (WBC) did not differ across time (P=0.288) but relative to SP, SBMC had 30% less fecal WBC (P=0.002). There was a treatment×time interaction for ADG and ADFI. Pigs fed SP+ISO had greater ADG in phase 2, but pigs fed SBMC gained more in phase 3 (time×treatment P=0.044). Among treatments, ADFI did not differ in phase 1 and 2, but was increased in SBMC in phase 3 (time×treatment P=0.037).
Impact of amount and solubility of dietary fiber fed during late gestation and during the pre-farrowing period on sow and litter performance in lactation
This study evaluated the impact of level and solubility of total dietary fiber (TDF) on sow and litter performance when fed during late gestation and early pre-farrowing. Sows (n=241) were assigned by body condition to a 2×2 factorial arrangement plus a control treatment (with no supplement) with the following factors: 1) Amount of a fiber supplement (0.45 or 0.90 kg) and 2) Fiber solubility (high soluble dietary fiber (SDF) of 9.63% with 25.25% insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) or high IDF of 30.73% with 4.18% SDF). Fiber supplements were formulated using sugar beet pulp and soybean hulls and were provided in addition to a common gestation (12.0% TDF) and lactation diet (11.3% TDF) from day 99 (±1 d) of gestation until parturition. Total number of pigs born, and piglet birth weight were not impacted by treatment. Number of stillborn pigs was reduced by 0.45 kg IDF supplement (P=0.03), but it increased (P=0.008) the number of low-birth weight pigs (< 1 kg) compared to control, 0.90 kg IDF, and 0.45 and 0.90 kg SDF supplement (1.31a vs. 0.50b, 0.33b, 0.47b, and 0.40b, respectively). Treatment did not affect number of pigs weaned and pig weaning weight. Number of small-weaned pigs (< 3.6 kg) was lowest (P< 0.001) with 0.90 kg IDF, and 0.45 kg SDF compared to control, 0.45 kg IDF and 0.90 kg SDF (0.53c and 1.00bc vs 3.31a, 3.27a, and 2.00ab, respectively). Weaning to estrus interval was reduced (P=0.003) by 0.90 kg IDF and 0.45 and 0.90 kg SDF compared to control and 0.45 kg IDF (5.00b, 4.77b, and 5.22ab vs. 6.51a, and 6.59a days, respectively).
