SAES-422 Multistate Research Activity Accomplishments Report
Sections
Status: Approved
Basic Information
- Project No. and Title: S1044 : Nutritional Systems for Swine to Increase Reproductive Efficiency
- Period Covered: 10/01/2007 to 09/01/2008
- Date of Report: 02/27/2009
- Annual Meeting Dates: 01/06/2009 to 01/07/2009
Participants
Alabama L. I. Chiba Arkansas C. V. Maxwell Florida J. H. Brendemuhl Georgia C. R. Dove Kentucky M. D. Lindemann Louisiana L. L. Southern Minnesota S. Baidoo North Carolina E. van Heugten, Sung Woo Kim South Dakota C. Hostetler Virginia M. Estienne
[Minutes]
Accomplishments
1. All data from a previous objective evaluating vitamin A injections of sows was analyzed and published in this period. A total of 443 litters from 182 sows were used from 5 cooperating experiment stations to determine the effects of an intramuscular injection of vitamin A at weaning and breeding on subsequent litter size of sows. The data illustrated that litter size of sows of certain parities (parities 1 and 2) can be increased by up to 2 pigs/litter with 2 injections of Vitamin A at weaning and subsequent rebreeding. Older sows (parities 3 and greater) do not respond to the supplemental vitamin A injection.
2. All data from a previous objective evaluating supplemental chromium for sows was analyzed and published in this period. A total of 353 litters from 222 sows were used from 3 stations to determine the effects of graded levels of supplemental Cr from chromium tripicolinate on reproductive performance of sows. Primiparous and multiparous sows were fed diets with supplemental levels of 0, 200, 600, or 1,000 ppb Cr. With regard to litter size, the response of primary interest, supplemental Cr increased the number of pigs born live per litter (9.49, 9.82, 10.94, and 10.07; quadratic, P = 0.05). Tissues were obtained from a subset of sows after they had completed 3 parities on the study. The content of Cr in the adrenal gland, kidney, and liver was increased linearly (P < 0.01) by increasing supplementation. The results suggest that the supplementation level that maximizes the biological response is above that currently allowed (i.e., 200 ppb). Additionally, supplementation of Cr at 1,000 ppb (five times currently permitted supplementation levels) was not detrimental to sow performance, even when fed continuously for 3 parities; thus, the product is extremely safe.
3. All data from a previous objective evaluating fiber additions to sow diets was analyzed and published in this period. A total of 381 litters from 194 sows were used from 3 research stations to determine the effects of added psyllium (a concentrated fiber source) or soybean hulls to gestation diets on reproductive performance of sows and preweaning performance of their pigs. Results demonstrated no effects of fiber supplementation on reproductive measures but there were effects observed on sow body weight changes throughout the reproductive cycle and there were effects on fecal dry matter content which would affect sow comfort and behavior.
4. All data from the current objective evaluating supplemental phytase for sows has been collected and is being analyzed for publication. A total of 3 research stations have contributed data for this objective that evaluates reproductive performance as well as waste management implications.
5. All data from the current objective evaluating supplemental carnitine for sows has been collected and is being analyzed for publication. A total of 3 research stations have contributed data for this objective. Carnitine is a body compound that assists fatty acid movement into the mitochondria where the fatty acids can be burned for energy.
6. Data from the current objective evaluating low protein diets for sows has been partially collected. A total of 3 research stations are contributing data for this objective (sows are still actively on the objective) that evaluates reproductive performance as well as waste management implications.
Impacts
- The Vitamin A impact is astounding. The younger sows were the responsive sows in the study. These sows comprise at least 66% of the US sow herd of 6 million sows. If this technology were universally adopted, then those 4 million sows would receive this vitamin injection. For the total 8 million litters which result each year (2 litters per sow per year), an additional 16 million pigs would be born. At a value of $20 per newborn pig, this is equivalent to $320 million. The benefit/cost ratio of this technology would exceed 100:1
- The use of supplemental chromium can now be said to increase litter size across genetic/geographic/environmental boundaries. Using the response generated in this study, the benefit:cost ratio for the allowed supplementation level of 200 ppb is 9:1, however if the allowable limit is increased based on this research to 600 ppb, the benefit:cost ratio would grow to 13:1 for direct expenses (savings on capital expenses within swine operations would increase this value). This equates to a current annual return over expenditure of $42 M to US swine producers with a potential to grow to $190 M if the level allowed can be increased.
- Because there were no direct reproductive improvements form fiber addition, the economic benefits are difficult to calculate. Improved weight changes that were observed with some fiber sources would be expected to alter culling rate and drop-out rate of sows from a herd. This would reduce the cost for replacement females within a herd. A larger data set over a longer period of study is required to accurately define those economic benefits.
- Final determination of the economic benefit of phytase addition awaits data analysis. However, the preliminary results clearly demonstrate a reduction in phosphorus excretion when phytase is used. This will have a major impact in reducing total phosphorus excretion which will impact several waste management issues (e.g., total acreage needed for waste application, number of years before critical mineral levels are reached on various soil types).
- Final determination of the economic benefit of carnitine addition awaits data analysis. However, the preliminary results from one station confirm initial hypotheses that improved energy utilization will increase rebreeding performance. Assuming other stations provide data similar in magnitude of response, the benefit:cost ratio for this compound will also easily exceed 20:1.
- Final determination of the economic benefit of low protein diets for sows awaits final data accumulation and analysis. However, the preliminary results clearly demonstrate that nitrogen excretion is reduced when low protein diets are fed. This will have a major impact in reducing total nitrogen excretion which should reduce swine unit odors and will definitely impact several waste management issues (e.g., total acreage needed for waste application).
Publications
1. de Souza, A.L.P., M. D. Lindemann, and G. L. Cromwell. 2007. Supplementation of dietary enzymes has varying effects on apparent protein and amino acid digestibility in reproducing sows. Livestock Sci. 109:122-124.
2. Kim, Beob G., and Merlin D. Lindemann. 2007. An overview of mineral and vitamin requirements of swine in the National Research Council (1944 to 1998) publications. Prof. Anim. Sci. 23:584596.
3. Lindemann, M. D., J. H. Brendemuhl, L. I. Chiba, C. S. Darroch, C. R. Dove, M. J. Estienne, and A. F. Harper. 2008. A regional evaluation of injections of high levels of vitamin A on reproductive performance of sows. J. Anim. Sci. 86:333-338.
4. Darroch, C. S., C. R. Dove, C. V. Maxwell, Z. B. Johnson, and L. L. Southern. 2008. A regional evaluation of the effect of fiber type in gestation diets on sow reproductive performance. J Anim Sci 86: 1573-1578.