• 제목/요약/키워드: Nursery Pigs

검색결과 87건 처리시간 0.02초

Effects of dietary enzyme cocktail on diarrhea and immune responses of weaned pigs

  • Kang, Joowon;Cho, Jeeyeon;Jang, Kibeom;Kim, Junsu;Kim, Sheena;Mun, Daye;Kim, Byeonghyeon;Kim, Younghwa;Park, Juncheol;Choe, Jeehwan;Song, Minho
    • 농업과학연구
    • /
    • 제44권4호
    • /
    • pp.525-530
    • /
    • 2017
  • Weaning is the most stressful event for nursery pigs because they are moved from familiar to unfamiliar environments. In addition, weaned pigs have immature digestive and immune systems. This situation makes weaned pigs susceptible to diseases and makes the absorption of nutrients from diets difficult. A feed approach, such as dietary enzyme supplementation, can be considered a solution. This study investigated the effects of dietary enzyme cocktail on diarrhea and immune responses of weaned pigs. A total 36 weaned pigs ($5.92{\pm}0.48kg\;BW$; 28 d old) were randomly allotted to 2 dietary treatments (3 pigs/pen, 6 replicates/treatment) in a randomized complete block design. The dietary treatments were a typical diet based on corn and soybean meal (CON) and CON with 0.05% enzyme cocktail (Cocktail; combination of xylanase, ${\alpha}-amylase$, protease, ${\beta}-glucanase$, and pectinase). Pigs were fed their respective diets for 6 wk. Incidence of diarrhea, packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cells (WBC) count, and immunoglobulin content were measured. A significantly lower incidence of diarrhea (p < 0.05) was observed in the Cocktail group as compared with the CON group. The Cocktail group also showed a decreased PCV (p < 0.1) on d 3 after weaning than the CON group. However, no differences were observed for number of WBC and contents of immunoglobulin G, M, and A between the Cocktail and CON groups. Consequently, inclusion of an enzyme cocktail in diets for weaned pigs had a positive influence on gut health by reducing the incidence of diarrhea in the present study.

Effects of Biocom as a Replacement of Glutamine on Performance and Blood Biochemical Indexes of Early Weaned Piglets

  • Zhou, R.Y.;Peng, J.;Liu, Z.L.;Fang, Z.F.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
    • /
    • 제19권6호
    • /
    • pp.872-876
    • /
    • 2006
  • The objective of this study was to evaluate Biocom (a protein source containing a high level of glutamine and alanyl-glutamine) as a replacement for glutamine (Gln) in nursery pig diets. Forty-two pigs (fourteen pigs per treatment) weaned at 28 d of age were used in a 28-d performance trial using three dietary treatments: control (no Gln), control supplemented with Gln or Biocom. The control diet was composed of corn, soybean meal, whey and fish meal. Individual body weight, pen feed disappearance and diarrhea were monitored. On d 0, 2, 7 and 14 postweaning, respectively, five pigs per treatment were selected and bled from the anterior vena cava to obtain five replicate samples of blood on each dietary treatment for determination of blood biochemical index. Dietary supplementation of Gln and Biocom did not influence performance, plasma Gln and total serum protein concentration (p>0.05). However, the addition of Gln and Biocom could prevent serum urea nitrogen and serum cortisol from increasing on d 2 postweaning (p<0.05). There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in any of the examined parameters between Gln- and Biocom-supplemented diets. In conclusion, dietary Gln did not influence the performance of early-weaned piglets owing to the complex diet containing whey, but could prevent the increase of serum urea and cortisol. Biocom could be used as a replacement for free pure Gln without any negative effect on early-weaned piglets.

이유자돈, 육성돈 및 비육돈에 있어 게르마늄흑운모의 급여 효과 (Effects of Dietary Germanium Biotite in Weaned, Growing and Finishing Pigs)

  • 권오석;김인호;홍종욱;이상환;정연권;민병준;이원백;손경승
    • Journal of Animal Science and Technology
    • /
    • 제45권3호
    • /
    • pp.355-368
    • /
    • 2003
  • 시험 1은 게르마늄흑운모를 자돈 사료에 첨가하였을 때 자돈의 성장 및 영양소 소화율에 미치는 영향을 평가하고자 실시하였다. 공시동물은 평균 체중 15.09$\pm$0.18kg의 3원 교잡종 자돈 60두를 공시하여 28일간 실시하였다. 시험설계는 기초사료에 게르마늄흑운모 무첨가구 (CON; basal diet), 기초사료에 게르마늄흑운모 0.1%(GB0.1), 0.3%(GB0.3), 0.6%(GB0.6), 1.0% (GB1.0) 첨가구로 5개 처리로 하였다. 전체 사양시험 기간동안, 일당증체량과 사료효율에 있어서는 처리구간에 유의적인 차이를 보이지 않았다. 시험 2는 육성돈 사료내 게르마늄흑운모의 항생제 대체효과를 평가하기 위하여 실시하였다. 공시동물은 평균 체중이 32.47$\pm$0.90kg인 3원 교잡종 육성돈 54두를 공시하여 35일간 실시하였다. 시험설계는 기초사료에 항생제 무첨가구(NC; basal diet), 항생제 첨가구 (PC; basal diet + 200ppm CTC), 게르마늄흑운모를 0.3% 첨가구(GB0.3; basal diet + 0.3% germanium biotite)의 3개 처리로 하였다. 사양시험 기간동안, 일당증체량에 있어서 NC 처리구와 비교하였을 때 PC 처리구와 GB0.3 처리구의 성장율이 각각 17%(385 vs 451, g/d), 14% (385 vs 438, g/d) 높았다(P<0.05). 일당사료섭취량에 있어서 NC 처리구와 비교하여 PC 처리구와 GB0.3 처리구가 유의적으로 높았다(P<0.05). 사료효율에 있어서도 NC 처리구와 비교하여 GB0.3 처리구가 유의적으로 높았다(0.323 vs 0.332)(P<0.05). 외관상 건물과 질소 소화율에 있어서 NC 처리구와 비교하여 PC 처리구와 GB0.3 처리구가 유의적으로 높았다 (P<0.05). 시험 3은 비육돈 사료내 게르마늄흑운모의 첨가가 성장, 영양소 소화율, 혈장 성상, 등지방 두께 그리고 분내 암모니아 가스 농도에 미치는 영향을 평가하기 위하여 실시하였다. 공시동물은 평균 체중이 78.65$\pm$1.32kg인 비육돈 72두를 공시하였다. 시험설계는 기초사료에 게르마늄흑운모 무첨가구 (CON; basal diet), 기초사료에 게르마늄흑운모 1.0% (GB1.0), 3.0% (GB 3.0) 첨가구로 3개 처리로 하였다. 사양시험 기간동안, 일당증체량에서는 GB1.0 처리구가 대조구와 GB3.0 처리구와 비교하여 유의적으로 높았으며 (P<0.05), 일당사료섭취량에 있어서는 대조구가 GB3.0보다 유의적으로 높았다 (P< 0.05). 사료효율에 있어서는 GB 첨가구가 대조구와 비교하여 유의적으로 높게 조사되었다 (P<0.05). 혈장내 Total-cholesterol 함량 변화는 대조구와 비교하여 게르마늄흑운모 첨가구가 유의적으로 감소하였다(P<0.05). 또한, LDL+ VLDL-cholesterol 함량 변화도 대조구와 비교하여 게르마늄흑운모 첨가구가 유의적으로 감소하였다(P<0.05). 혈장내 HDL-cholesterol 함량에 있어서는 대조구와 비교하여 게르마늄흑운모 첨가구가 유의적으로 증가하였다(P<0.05). 등지방 두께에 있어서는 대조구와 비교하여 GB1.0 처리구가 5.4% (27.19 vs 25.71mm)의 감소를 보였고, GB3.0 처리구가 대조구와 비교하여 16.1% (27.19 vs 22.81mm)로 유의적인 감소하였다 (P<0.05). 게르마늄흑운모의 분내 암모니아 가스 농도에 미치는 영향에 있어서는, 대조구와 비교하여 GB1.0 처리구가 64.1% (17.00 vs 6.10mg/kg), GB3.0 처리구가 61.8% (17.00 vs 6.50mg/kg) 유의적으로 감소하였다 (P<0.05). 결론적으로, 양돈사료내 게르마늄흑운모를 첨가하였을 경우, 자돈에 있어서는 성장에 영향을 미치지 않는 것으로 사료되며, 육성돈에 있어서는 항생제 대체효과를 갖는 것으로 나타난다. 또한, 비육돈 사료내 게르마늄흑운모의 첨가는 비육돈의 성장능력을 향상시키는 것으로 판단되며, 혈중 Total‐및 LDL+VLDL-chole- sterol 함량을 감소시키며, HDL-cholesterol 함량을 증가시키는 것으로 판단된다. 또한 등지방 두께가 감소되며, 분내 암모니아 가스 농도가 감소하는 것으로 나타났다.

Influence of various levels of milk by-products in weaner diets on growth performance, blood urea nitrogen, diarrhea incidence, and pork quality of weaning to finishing pigs

  • Yoo, S.H.;Hong, J.S.;Yoo, H.B.;Han, T.H.;Jeong, J.H.;Kim, Y.Y.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
    • /
    • 제31권5호
    • /
    • pp.696-704
    • /
    • 2018
  • Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate various levels of milk by-product in weaning pig diet on growth performance, blood profiles, carcass characteristics and economic performance for weaning to finishing pigs. Methods: A total of 160 weaning pigs ([Yorkshire${\times}$Landrace]${\times}$Duroc), average $7.01{\pm}1.32kg$ body weight (BW), were allotted to four treatments by BW and sex in 10 replications with 4 pigs per pen in a randomized complete block design. Pigs were fed each treatment diet with various levels of milk by-product (Phase 1: 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%, Phase 2: 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%, respectively). During weaning period (0 to 5 week), weaning pigs were fed experimental diets and all pigs were fed the same commercial feed during growing-finishing period (6 to 14 week). Results: In the growth trial, BW, average daily gain (ADG), and average daily feed intake (ADFI) in the nursery period (5 weeks) increased as the milk by-product level in the diet increased (linear, p<0.05). Linear increases of pig BW with increasing the milk product levels were observed until late growing period (linear, p = 0.01). However, there were no significant differences in BW at the finishing periods, ADG, ADFI, and gain:feed ratio during the entire growing-finishing periods. The blood urea nitrogen concentration had no significant difference among dietary treatments. High inclusion level of milk by-product in weaner diet decreased crude protein (quadratic, p = 0.05) and crude ash (Linear, p = 0.05) of Longissimus muscle. In addition, cooking loss and water holding capacity increased with increasing milk product levels in the weaner diets (linear, p<0.01; p = 0.05). High milk by-product treatment had higher feed cost per weight gain compared to non-milk by-products treatment (linear, p = 0.01). Conclusion: Supplementation of 10% to 5% milk by-products in weaning pig diet had results equivalent to the 30% to 15% milk treatment and 0% milk by-product supplementation in the diet had no negative influence on growth performance of finishing pigs.

Blend of essential oils can reduce diarrheal disorders and improve liver antioxidant status in weaning piglets

  • Maiara Ananda, Grando;Vanessa, Costa;Jansller Luiz, Genova;Paulo Evaristo, Rupolo;Liliana Bury, de Azevedo;Leandro Batista, Costa;Silvana Teixeira, Carvalho;Thiago Pereira, Ribeiro;Daniel Pigatto, Monteiro;Paulo Levi, de Oliveira Carvalho
    • Animal Bioscience
    • /
    • 제36권1호
    • /
    • pp.119-131
    • /
    • 2023
  • Objective: This study was to assess the effects of different doses of an essential oil blend (EOB) on growth performance, diarrhea occurrence (DO), hematological and blood biochemical profile, intestinal morphometry, morphology and microbiology, relative weight and length of organs, digestive content pH, and liver antioxidant status in weaning piglets. Methods: A total of 135 barrows (7.09±0.29 kg body weight) were allotted randomly in a randomized complete block design based on body weight with nine replications and three animals per pen. Dietary treatments were a negative control (NC): basal diet; positive control (PC): NC plus 125 mg performance-enhancing antibiotic (enramycin 8%)/kg diet; NC plus 100 mg EOB/kg diet (EO100); NC plus 200 mg EOB/kg diet (EO200); and NC plus 400 mg EOB/kg diet (EO400). Diarrhea occurrence was monitored daily, and performance at the end of each phase. Results: Gain to feed ratio was greater (p<0.05) in starter II pigs fed EO400 and EO200 than in those fed EO100. Pigs fed EO400 had lower (p<0.05) DO than those fed NC and EO100 in the total period. Pre-starter II pigs fed NC had (p<0.05) lower serum total protein and plasma protein than pigs fed PC. Pigs fed EO100 showed smaller (p<0.05) mean corpuscular volume (MCV) than pigs fed EO400. Starter II pigs fed EO400 had (p<0.05) greater MCV and lower mean corpuscular hemoglobin and erythrocytes than those fed EO100. There was a greater concentration (p<0.05) of band cells for PC, similar to EO400 and EO200. Performance-enhancing antibiotic and EOB to diets increased (p<0.05) liver superoxide dismutase activity. Conclusion: Adding 200 and 400 mg EOB/kg diet decreased DO and was advantageous to hematological and blood biochemical profile and liver antioxidant status without being detrimental to growth performance and gastrointestinal health in nursery pigs.

Energy and Ileal Digestible Amino Acid Concentrations for Growing Pigs and Performance of Weanling Pigs Fed Fermented or Conventional Soybean Meal

  • Wang, Y.;Lu, W.Q.;Li, D.F.;Liu, X.T.;Wang, H.L.;Niu, S.;Piao, X.S.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
    • /
    • 제27권5호
    • /
    • pp.706-716
    • /
    • 2014
  • A new strategy of co-inoculating Bacillus subtilis MA139 with Streptococcus thermophilus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used to produce fermented soybean meal (FSBM). Three experiments were conducted to determine the concentration of digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) (Exp. 1), apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) (Exp. 2), and feeding value (Exp. 3) of FSBM produced by this new strategy (NFSB) compared with soybean meal (SBM) and conventionally available FSBM (Suprotein). In Exp. 1, twenty-four barrows (initial body weight [BW] of $32.2{\pm}1.7kg$) were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 diets with 6 replicates per diet. A corn basal diet and 3 diets based on a mixture of corn and 1 of 3 soybean products listed above were formulated and the DE and ME contents were determined by the difference method. The results showed that there were no differences in DE and ME between SBM and either FSBM product (p>0.05). In Exp. 2, eight barrows (initial BW of $26.8{\pm}1.5kg$) were fitted with ileal T-cannulaes and used in a replicated $4{\times}4$ Latin square design. Three corn-starch-based diets were formulated using each of the 3 soybean products as the sole source of AA. A nitrogen-free diet was also formulated to measure endogenous losses of AA. The results showed that the SID of all AA except arginine and histidine was similar for NFSB and SBM (p>0.05), but Suprotein had greater (p<0.05) SID of most AA except lysine, aspartate, glycine and proline than NFSB. In Exp. 3, a total of 144 piglets (initial BW of $8.8{\pm}1.2$ kg) were blocked by weight and fed 1 of 4 diets including a control diet with 24% SBM as well as diets containing 6% and 12% NFSB or 12% Suprotein added at the expense of SBM. During d 15 to 28, replacing SBM with 6% NFSB significantly improved average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) (p<0.05) for nursery piglets. During the overall experiment, ADG of piglets fed diets containing 6% NFSB was significantly greater (p<0.05) than that of piglets fed SBM. In conclusion, fermentation with the new strategy did not affect the energy content or the AID and the SID of AA in SBM. However, inclusion of 6% NFSB in diets fed to nursery piglets improved performance after weaning likely as a result of better nutritional status and reduced immunological challenge.

Partial replacement of soybean meal with different protein sources in piglet feed during the nursery phase

  • Genova, Jansller Luiz;Carvalho, Paulo Levi de Oliveira;Oliveira, Newton Tavares Escocard de;Oliveira, Aparecida da Costa;Gois, Franz Dias;Castro, Davi Elias de Sa e;Souza, Fabio Nicory Costa;Trautenmuller, Heloise;Santos, Liliana Bury de Azevedo dos;Leal, Isabela Ferreira
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
    • /
    • 제32권11호
    • /
    • pp.1725-1733
    • /
    • 2019
  • Objective: Evaluate the partial replacement of soybean meal with different protein sources in piglet feed during the nursery phase in terms of digestibility of feed, nitrogen balance, growth performance and blood parameters. Methods: Experiment I involved 24 crossbred entire male pigs with an initial body weight (BW) of $18.28{\pm}0.7kg$ and used a randomized complete block design consisting of 3 treatments (fish meal, FM; soybean protein concentrate, SPC; and soybean meal, SBM) and 8 replicates, with 1 pig per experimental unit. Experiment II involved 1,843 crossbred male and female pigs with an initial BW of $6.79{\pm}0.90kg$ and was based on a completely randomized design with a $2{\times}3$ factorial arrangement (2 sexes and 3 protein sources) and 13 replicates. Results: The results of Exp. I indicate effects (p<0.05) of dietary protein sources on digestible protein (FM, 17.84%; SPC, 16.72%, and SBM, 18.13%) and on total nitrogen excretion (TNE, $g/kg\;BW^{0.75}/d$) in which pigs fed with SBM-based feed had TNE values that were 5.36% and 3.72% greater than SPC and FM, respectively. In the Exp. II, there was difference (p<0.01) between sexes in the pre-starter I and starter phases, and total period in average daily feed intake (ADFI), which were greater in females, and between the protein sources, ADFI, final weight and daily weight gain. For urea in the pre-starter II and starter phases and glucose in the pre-starter II phase, there was a difference (p<0.05) between protein sources and between sexes, in starter phase in urea concentrations (females: 57.11 mg/dL and males: 50.60 mg/dL). Conclusion: The use of SBM as only protein source influences larger TNE ($g/kg\;BW^{0.75}/d$), reduces the growth performance of piglets and increases plasma urea concentrations in prestarter II phase.

Evaluation of FSP (Fermented Soy Protein) to Replace Soybean Meal in Weaned Pigs: Growth Performance, Blood Urea Nitrogen and Total Protein Concentrations in Serum and Nutrient Digestibility

  • Cho, J.H.;Min, B.J.;Chen, Y.J.;Yoo, J.S.;Wang, Q.;Kim, J.D.;Kim, I.H.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
    • /
    • 제20권12호
    • /
    • pp.1874-1879
    • /
    • 2007
  • A total of one hundred and forty four weaned pigs with an average BW of $8.09{\pm}0.05$ kg were used in a 28 day study to investigate the effects of fermented soy protein on growth performance, blood urea nitrogen and total protein concentrations in serum and nutrient digestibility in weaner pigs. Pigs were blocked by initial body weight and randomly allocated to one of four dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design. There were six replications per treatment. Dietary treatments included: SBM (corn-soybean meal basal diet), F 5, 10 and 15 (fermented soy product was used at 5, 10 and 15% to replace soybean meal in basal diet, respectively). ADG (average daily gain) and ADFI (average daily feed intake) were not affected (p>0.05) by dietary treatments during the entire 4-wk study period. There were linear increments in feed efficiency (p<0.01) as the dietary FSP level increased during the entire feeding period. No significant differences were observed for dry matter and nitrogen digestibility during the experimental period (p>0.05). Digestibilities of histidine, lysine and methionine were increased as the FSP level increased (linear effect, p<0.05, p<0.01). Among non-essential amino acids, alanine, glutamic acid, serine, tyrosine and total non essential amino acid digestibilities were increased linearly (p<0.05, p<0.01). There were quadratic effects in protein digestibility (p<0.05). Total amino acid digestibility of the F15 diet was improved compared with the F5 diet (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in fecal consistency score among the treatments (p>0.05). At the end of experiment, BUN (blood urea nitrogen) concentration was increased as the FSP level increased (linear effect, p<0.01) and total protein concentration was lowest (p<0.05) for pigs fed the SBM diet among treatments. In conclusion, the feeding of 10 or 15% FSP to nursery pigs improved feed efficiency, amino acid digestibility and blood urea nitrogen and total protein concentrations in blood.

Effects of Bacillus-based probiotics on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal health of weaned pigs

  • Mun, Daye;Kyoung, Hyunjin;Kong, Myunghwan;Ryu, Sangdon;Jang, Ki Beom;Baek, Jangryeol;Park, Kyeong Il;Song, Minho;Kim, Younghoon
    • Journal of Animal Science and Technology
    • /
    • 제63권6호
    • /
    • pp.1314-1327
    • /
    • 2021
  • Bacillus is characterized by the formation of spores in harsh environments, which makes it suitable for use as a probiotic for feed because of thermostability and high survival rate, even under long-term storage. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Bacillus-based probiotics on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology, immune response, and intestinal microbiota of weaned pigs. A total of 40 weaned pigs (7.01 ± 0.86 kg body weight [BW]; 28 d old) were randomly assigned to two treatments (4 pigs/pen; 5 replicates/treatment) in a randomized complete block design (block = BW and sex). The dietary treatment was either a typical nursery diet based on corn and soybean meal (CON) or CON supplemented with 0.01% probiotics containing a mixture of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis (PRO). Fecal samples were collected daily by rectal palpation for the last 3 days after a 4-day adaptation. Blood, ileal digesta, and intestinal tissue samples were collected from one pig in each pen at the respective time points. The PRO group did not affect the feed efficiency, but the average daily gain was significantly improved (p < 0.05). The PRO group showed a trend of improved crude protein digestibility (p < 0.10). The serum transforming growth factor-β1 level tended to be higher (p < 0.10) in the PRO group on days 7 and 14. There was no difference in phylum level of the intestinal microbiota, but there were differences in genus composition and proportions. However, β-diversity analysis showed no statistical differences between the CON and the PRO groups. Taken together, Bacillus-based probiotics had beneficial effects on the growth performance, immune system, and intestinal microbiota of weaned pigs, suggesting that Bacillus can be utilized as a functional probiotic for weaned pigs.

Effects of a Chelated Copper as Growth Promoter on Performance and Carcass Traits in Pigs

  • Zhao, J.;Allee, G.;Gerlemann, G.;Ma, L.;Gracia, M.I.;Parker, D.;Vazquez-Anon, M.;Harrel, R.J.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
    • /
    • 제27권7호
    • /
    • pp.965-973
    • /
    • 2014
  • Three studies were conducted to investigate whether a chelated Cu can replace $CuSO_4$ as a growth promoter in pigs. In Exp. 1, a total of 240 piglets (Large White${\times}$Landrace, $7.36{\pm}0.10kg$) were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 treatments with 8 replicates and 10 piglets per pen. Treatments included a NRC control ($CuSO_4$, 6 mg/kg), two Cu supplementations from either $CuSO_4$ or $Cu(HMTBa)_2$ at 170 mg/kg. Pigs fed $Cu(HMTBa)_2$ were 6.0% heavier than pigs fed either the NRC control or 170 mg/kg $CuSO_4$ (p = 0.03) at the end of the experiment. During the 42 days of experimental period, pigs fed $Cu(HMTBa)_2$ gained 9.0% more (p = 0.01), tended to eat more feed (p = 0.09), and had better feed efficiency (p = 0.06) than those fed $CuSO_4$. Compared with the 6 mg/kg $CuSO_4$ NRC control, liver Cu was increased 2.7 times with 170 mg/kg $CuSO_4$ supplementation, and was further increased with $Cu(HMTBa)_2$ (4.5 times, p<0.05). In Exp. 2, a total of 616 crossbred piglets (PIC, $5.01{\pm}0.25kg$) were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 treatments with 7 replicates and 22 piglets per pen. Treatments included a NRC control (from $CuSO_4$), and three pharmaceutical levels of Cu (150 mg/kg) supplemented either from C$CuSO_4$, tri-basic copper chloride ($Cu_2[OH]_3C1$), or $Cu(HMTBa)_2$. Pigs fed $CuSO_4$ or $Cu(HMTBa)_2$ had better feed efficiency (p = 0.01) and tended to gain more (p = 0.08) compared with those fed the NRC control. Pigs fed $Cu_2[OH]_2C1$ were intermediate. Pigs fed $Cu(HMTBa)_2$ had the highest liver Cu, which was significantly higher than those fed ($Cu_2[OH]_3C1$) or the negative control (p = 0.01). In Exp. 3, a total of 1,048 pigs (PIC, $32.36{\pm}0.29kg$) were allotted to 6 treatments with 8 replicates per treatment and 20 to 22 pigs per pen. The treatments included a NRC control with 4 mg/kg Cu from $CuSO_4$, a positive control with 160 mg/kg Cu from $CuSO_4$, and incremental levels of $Cu(HMTBa)_2$ at 20, 40, 80, and 160 mg/kg. During the overall experimental period of 100 days, no benefit from 160 mg/kg $CuSO_4$ was observed. Pigs fed $Cu(HMTBa)_2$ had increased ADG (linear and quadratic, $p{\leq}0.05$) and feed efficiency (linear and quadratic, $p{\leq}0.05$) up to 80 mg/kg and no further improvement was observed at 160 mg/kg for the whole experimental period. Pigs fed 80 mg/kg $Cu(HMTBa)_2$ weighed 1.8 kg more (p = 0.07) and were 2.3 kg heavier in carcass (p<0.01) compared with pigs fed 160 mg/kg $CuSO_4$. In addition, loin depth was increased with increased $Cu(HMTBa)_2$ supplementation with pigs fed 80 mg/kg $Cu(HMTBa)_2$ had the greatest loin depth (p<0.05). In summary, $Cu(HMTBa)_2$ can be used to replace high $CuSO_4$ as a growth promoter in nursery and grower-finisher pigs.