• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.287-294
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• 1999

Vitamin and mineral deletion from swine diets can result in reduced growth if done during the period wher muscle and bone development is occurring. Several of the vitamins and minerals decline in the serum during the starter period, suggesting a higher dietary inclusion may be necessary postweaning. Vitamin research with grower-finisher pigs is limited, but results suggest that rapidly growing lean pigs may have a higher dietary requirement for the B vitamins. Several studies have suggested that early weaning and pigs of a lean genotype may have a dietary requirement for vitamin C, CI and Cr. High dietary vitamin E levels are fortified in the diet and seems to be effective in preventing mulberry heart problems in weanling and grower pigs. Organic Se is more effectively retained in muscle tissue than inorganic Se, approximately 20% less is excreted, but the bioavailability of organic Se for glutathione peroxidase activity is only 80 to 90% to that of sodium selenite. The active form of thyroxine (T4) is dependent upon a Se containing enzyme. Withdrawal of vitamins and minerals during the latter part of the finisher period has not affected pig performance responses, but studies with poultry suggest that the vitamin content of the meat may be reduced if the vitamins are withdrawn prior to marketing. High levels of vitamin E have been shown to improve pork quality, by reducing drip loss. Studies with vitamin C and Se have suggested that they may also be involved in pork quality.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.22.1-22.7
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• 2014

The present study was performed to investigate the effects of two groups of sires with 'medium' and 'high' weight gain potentials (M-sires and H-sires, respectively) on growth of their progenies on varying planes of nutrition during the growing-finishing period. The ADG of the M-sires' progeny was greater (P < 0.05) than that of the H-sires' progeny (0.51 vs. 0.47 kg) during a 26- to 29-d early grower phase beginning from 55 d of age, but the opposite was true (0.66 vs. 0.72 kg) during the latter grower phase. Overall grower-phase ADG was greatest on the high plane of nutrition (H plane) followed by the medium (M) and low (L) planes (0.65, 0.61, and 0.51 kg, respectively; P < 0.05) in the M-sires' progeny, whereas in the H-sires' progeny, ADG was greater on the H and M planes vs. L plane (0.63, 0.62, and 0.54 kg, respectively). The ADG of pigs on the M or H plane during the grower phase and switched to the H plane thereafter (M-to-H or H-to-H planes) was greater than that of pigs on the L-to-L planes (0.99 vs. 0.78 kg) during the early finisher phase in the M-sires' progeny (P < 0.01). However, in the H-sires' progeny, ADG of pigs on the L-to-L planes did not differ from that of pigs on the M-to-M or H-to-M planes (0.94 vs. 0.96 kg). Results suggest that the H-to-H or H-to-M planes and M-to-M or M-to-L planes are optimal for maximal growth of the M- and H-sires' progenies, respectively.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.1429-1432
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• 2000

Three groups of 7, 8 and 8 barrows (22 weeks age; 35 kg body weight), reared on grower diets were fed ad libitum on three isonitrogenous finisher diets containing 50, 71 and 92% wheat bran by replacing maize grain till the attainment of about 74 kg slaughter weight. Growth pattern, average daily gain, feed intake, feed/gain ratio and carcass traits were similar in all the groups. The digestibility of DM, OM, CF, NFE total carbohydrate and energy (DE) decreased (p<0.01) with the increased level of wheat bran in the diet. However, CP digestibility was comparable among all the diet and the digestibility of EE was significantly (p<0.01) higher in grainless diet ($FD_3$). It appears that maize grain may be completely replaced with wheat bran in the diet of crossbred pigs without any adverse effect on their performance with respect to feed intake, body weight gain and carcass characteristics.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.668-676
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• 2001

Two growth performance experiments were undertaken in order to compare the nutritional benefit of micronized dehulled barley (MDB) with wheat and maize. In the first experiment, ninety-six 24 d old Cotswold pigs with an average body weight of 9.5 kg were randomly allotted into one of four dietary treatments. The wheat and MDB ratio in the four complex diets were 100% wheat, 75% wheat+25% MDB, 50% wheat+50% MDB and 100% MDB; cereal was about 47% of the whole diet and varied by using different ratios of wheat and MDB. Starter phase was started at a bodyweight 9.9 kg; grower phase continued at liveweight 37.1 kg and finished at 74.0 kg. The ADFI, ADG and feed efficiency (F/G) were not affected (p>0.05) by the level of MDB in the diet from 9.9 to 37.1 kg live weight. However, ADFI was (p<0.05) less (14%) for the pigs fed the 75 or 100% of MDB based diets without affecting F/G during the second phase (37.1 to 74.0 kg live weight). Pigs fed the MDB based diet had a lower (p<0.05) plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) concentration than the pigs fed the wheat-based diet. In the second experiment, the trial started at 9.9 kg body weight and ended at market weight (107.6 kg), with three different phases in the trial. One hundred and twenty Cotswold pigs were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments. The maize and MDB ratio in the three diets were 100% maize, 50% maize+50% MDB and 100% MDB. Diet treatments did not affect (p>0.05) growth performance, PUN level, carcass characteristics and organ size, except for an improvement (p<0.05) in ADG for the pigs in the starter phase fed 50% and 100% MDB based diets.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2010

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of phase feeding methods on growth performance, carcass characteristics, pork quality, and economical efficiency in growing-finishing pigs. A total of 120 crossbred pigs ([Yorkshire ${\times}$ Landrace] ${\times}$ Duroc), average initial body weight 25.23 ${\pm}$ 2.66 kg, were allotted to 5 treatments by body weight and sex in a randomized complete block (RCB) design. Each treatment had 6 replicates with 4 pigs per pen. The treatments were 1) A (fed late weaner feed during whole phase), 2) B (fed late weaner feed in growing phase and grower feed in finishing phase), 3) C (fed grower feed during whole phase), 4) D (fed grower feed in growing phase and early finisher feed in early and late finishing phase), 5) E (fed grower feed in growing phase, early finisher feed in early finishing phase and late finisher feed in late finishing phase). Commercial diets bought from private feed company were used for this experiment. During the early growing phase (6 wks), treatments A and B showed higher growth performance than that of other treatments (P<0.05). However, growth performance tended to be similar among treatments at 10 wks after feeding and there was no difference in time of market weight (13 wks). Moreover, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration was lowered in treatment E than other treatments during whole experimental period (P<0.01). Carcass characteristics and pork quality were measured when body weight of pigs reached at 110.33 ${\pm}$ 2.1 kg. Days to market weight (110 kg), quality grade, pork color, and pork pH did not show any significant difference among treatments. These results suggested that phase feeding based upon growth stages of pigs showed no detrimental effects on growth performance and the pork quality. Moreover, feed cost was saved approximately 37% by phase feeding method without delaying of days to market weight compared to general conventional feeding method (B) of swine farm in Korea.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1407-1413
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• 2009

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of feather meal (FM) on the performance of pigs and taurine content in pork. A total of 135 cross-bred (L${\times}$Y${\times}$D) pigs, weighing an average 46 kg, were assigned to five dietary treatments; Control, 3% FM supplemented diet (3% FM), 3% FM and 10 ppm pyridoxin supplemented diet (3% FMpyridoxin), 6% FM supplemented diet (6% FM) and 6% FM and 10 ppm pyridoxine supplemented diet (6% FM-pyridoxin). Each treatment had 3 replications of 9 pigs (4 gilts and 5 barrows) each. Pigs were fed for 11 weeks under a phase feeding program which consisted of grower (0-3 week), grow-finisher (4-8 week) and finisher (9-11 week) periods. During the whole feeding period, ADG and ADFI of pigs fed FM treatments tended to increase in general compared to the control. Feed conversion ratio (feed/gain) of the control was significantly (p<0.05) lower than FM treatments. Taurine content of the control was highest in heart muscle (1,393.8 ppm) followed by liver (647.3 ppm), tenderloin (601.2 ppm), ham (462.4 ppm) and loin (375.8 ppm). Taurine contents of heart, tenderloin, ham and loin were significantly (p<0.05) increased by FM treatments. Taurine content was highest in the 6% FM-pyridoxin treatment. Taurine content of heart, tenderloin, ham and loin on 6% FM-pyridoxin supplementation were increased by 91%, 23%, 27% and 29%, respectively, compared with the control. Sensory tests of the pork showed that there was no consistent response among the treatments. In conclusion, supplementation of FM and pyridoxin to a pig diet can increase taurine content of the pork.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.361-365
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• 1993

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding fresh cassava roots on the performance and carcass quality of pigs raised from $15{\pm}1kg$ to 85 kg live weight. Fresh unpeeled cassava roots were chopped into chips and offered separately along with a protein concentrate made up of copra cake and meat and bone meal, and a local mineral-vitamin premix. Commercial pig grower and finisher diets served as control. A total of 24 pigs were used in an incomplete randomized split-plot design experiment. Pigs fed fresh cassava-based diet grew as fast, 0.78 vs 0.77 kg/day, and were as efficient, 3.74 vs 3.77 in converting feed into body weight gain as those fed the commercial control diet. Similarly, there were no differences in carcass quality measured in terms of dressing percentage, 77 vs 77; backfat thickness, 2.76 vs 2.78 cm; loin eye muscle area, 29.2 vs $29.1cm^2$ and in the relative proportions of the different carcass cuts between the two dietary treatments. The use of fresh cassava along with the protein and the local mineral-vitamin premix however, resulted in lowered total feed cost and cost per unit of live weight gain. It is concluded that fresh cassava roots can be fed along with copra cake, meat and bone meal protein concentrate and a local mineral-vitamin premix to fattening pigs with no adverse affects on performance and carcass quality.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.516-524
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• 2014

This study was performed to examine the feasibility of using the low plane of nutrition (LPN) as a means of improving the meat quality of crossbred finishing pigs with a medium weight gain potential. Twenty-four barrows and 24 gilts weighing approximately 48 kg were placed on LPN [a finisher (2.86 Mcal ME/kg and 0.67% lysine) for 91 d] or on a high plane of nutrition [HPN; a commercial grower for 38 d and a finisher (3.35 Mcal ME/kg and 0.9% lysine) for 46 d]. Five barrows and five gilts per treatment weighing approximately 125 kg were slaughtered after the indicated days on the respective diets, followed by physicochemical analysis and sensory evaluation on their muscles. Overall average daily gain was 12.6% less in the LPN group vs. the HPN group (p<0.05). The redness ($a^*$) of fresh longissimus muscle (LM) from the loin as well as from Boston butt was greater in the LPN group vs. HPN whereas the shear force for fresh LM from these primals and semimembranosus muscle was lower in the former. In sensory evaluation for cooked LM, no treatment effect was detected in any of the quality traits examined, except for a lower color score in the LPN vs. HPN group. Results suggest that meat quality of the finishing pigs can be improved to some extent by using LPN. However, the present pigs, whose backfat thickness was 24 mm at 125 kg, are thought not to be lean enough to be fattened over 120 kg.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.233-244
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• 2010

This experiment was conducted to evaluate two different types of feed additive as an alternative for antibiotics on growth performance and feed cost in growing and finishing pigs. One additive is an herb extract, with Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) as the main component, while the other feed additive contains aminolevulinic acid (ALA). In the first experiment, 128 grower pigs were allotted to 4 different treatment groups and replicated 4 times with 8 pigs per replicate; the trial lasted for 28 days. The positive control group (PC) which is the control group supplemented with antibiotics was significantly higher (p<0.05) in growth rate (580.6 g/d) followed by the ALA group (532.0 g/d), there was no significant differences in terms of feed intake and feed efficiency. There were marginal reductions in feed costs measured as feed cost per head in ALA and HE added diet. However, the feed cost per weight gain of ALA treatment was higher than the control group (PC) supplemented with antibiotics. In the second experiment, 80 finisher pigs were allotted to 4 treatment groups and replicated 4 times with 5 pigs per replicate; the trial lasted for 70 days. The treatment group supplemented with an herb extract (HE) had a significantly higher (p<0.05) feed intake (2,415.8 g/d) compared to the other treatment groups, but there was no significant differences in terms of growth rate and feed efficiency. Feed cost per head in HE and ALA treatments were higher than PC treatment, and feed cost per weight gain of HE was higher than PC treat (p<0.05). The results from these experiments suggests that these two types of feed additives can both be used as an alternative for antibiotics without having a negative effect on the performance of the animals. And aminolevulinic acid was good in performance and production cost of grower and finisher pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.1301-1309
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• 2020

Objective: To evaluate the use of nurse sows and post-weaning nutrition strategies for low wean weight (WW) pigs on lifetime growth and efficiency. Methods: Animals (n = 270) were assigned to one of five treatments at 28 d. Low WW pigs (<6 kg) were either weaned and offered a special dietary regime recommended for low WW pigs (WEAN) or placed on a nurse sow (NURSE) and weaned at 49 d. Normal WW pigs (9 kg) (NORM) were also weaned at 28 d. After weaning, NORM and NURSE pigs were offered either a 'high' (4 kg/pig of starter 1 diet followed by 8 kg/pig of starter 2 diet) or 'low' (8 kg/pig of starter 2 diet) starter diet allowance in a 2×2 factorial arrangement. A typical grower diet was then offered, followed by a typical finisher diet until 147 d of age. Results: NORM pigs where heavier throughout their life compared to NURSE pigs (91.4 kg vs 76.2 kg at 147 d; p<0.001). WEAN pigs were heavier at 70 d compared to NURSE pigs (23.9 kg vs 21.0 kg; p<0.001), but there was no significant difference at 147 d between NURSE and WEAN treatments. NURSE pigs had reduced feed intake throughout the finishing period (1.6 kg/d; p<0.001) compared to WEAN (2.0 kg/d) and NORM (1.9 kg/d) pigs. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) of NURSE (2.20) was lower than NORM and WEAN during the finishing period (2.40 and 2.79, respectively). Conclusion: Extended (up to 49 d) nursing for low WW pigs resulted in improved FCR during the finishing period, but no overall improvement in growth rate compared to low WW pigs weaned at 28 d and offered a specialised starter regime. Normal WW pigs where significantly heavier than low WW pigs throughout the study.