• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.681-685
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• 2000

A computer software was developed in our laboratory to automatically control the pigs environment by the image analysis system (IAS), which monitors and analyzes the pig's behavior and feeds the results back to the computer hardware. Three feeding trials were conducted with growing pigs ($L{\times}Y$) to test the effectiveness of the IAS under various seasons. In all three trials, the open-sided conventional pens with half-slatted floor were used as controls; for the IAS treatment, fully-slatted floors were used in the windowless pens. Experiment 1 was conducted in the winter for 30 d with 24 growing pigs. There were two treatments (Conventional vs. IAS), and three pens (replicates) per treatment. During the growing period, the feed efficiency was significantly (p<0.05) improved by the IAS. In addition, the pigs reared under the IAS during the growing period displayed better growth rate during the finishing period than did the pigs reared under the conventional conditions. Experiment 2 was conducted in the summer for 30 d with 24 growing pigs. The experimental design was the same as Experiment 1. During the finishing period, all the pigs were kept in conventional open-sided pens until their market weights to evaluate their carcass characteristics. During the growing period, the growth rate and feed efficiency of the pigs in the IAS was better than those of the control pigs. In addition, various carcass characteristics were significantly improved by the IAS rearing during the growing period. Experiment 3 was conducted with 30 growing pigs for 30 d in the spring. The experimental design was the same as Experiment 1. No difference was found in growing performance between the control and IAS pigs. It could be concluded that the IAS is effective in providing optimum conditions for the growing pigs in summer and winter seasons. In addition, providing an optimum environment during the growing period results in improved growth rate, feed efficiency, and carcass qualities for the finishing pigs.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.252-256
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• 2013

This study investigated the effect of slurry additives on reducing the concentration of odorous compounds. Slurry treatments included control, horseradish, spent mushroom, and almond hull (n = 4 each group). Odorous compounds including volatile organic compounds (VOCs phenols and indoles) and volatile fatty acids (VFAs short chain FA, SCFA, and branched chain FA, BCFA) were analyzed. Pigs of 85~120 kg body weight were fed diets formulated to meet the Korean Feeding Standard (2012) and their excretion was sampled from slurry pits. VOCs decreased (p<0.05) in horseradish, spent mushroom, and almond hull, compared to the control. SCFA was lower (p<0.05) in the horseradish group and BCFA was lower (p<0.05) in all three treatment groups compared to the control. Taken together, the tested additives are effective in reducing odorous compounds in pig slurry, indicating that the use of spent mushroom and almond hull can not only recycle the agri-byproduct but also reduce the impact of odors on surrounding communities.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.832-838
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• 2024

Objective: The use of molecular genetic methods in pig breeding can significantly increase the efficiency of breeding and breeding work. We applied the F_st (fixsacion index) method, the main focus of the work was on the search for common options related to the number of born piglets and the weight of born piglets, since today the urgent task is to prevent a decrease in the weight of piglets at birth while maintaining high fertility of sows. Methods: One approach is to scan the genome, followed by an assessment of Fst and identification of selectively selected regions. We chose Large White sows (n = 237) with the same conditions of keeping and feeding. The data were collected from the sows across three farrowing. For genotyping, we used GeneSeek GGP Porcine HD Genomic Profiler v1, which included 68,516 single nucleotide polymorphisms evenly distributed with an average spacing of 25 kb (Illumina Inc, San Diego, CA, USA). Results: Based on the results of the Fst analysis, 724 variants representing selection signals for the signs BALWT, BALWT1, NBA, and TNB (weight of piglets born alive, average weight of the 1st piglets born alive, total number born alive, total number born). At the same time, 18 common variants have been identified that are potential markers for both the number of piglets at birth and the weight of piglets at birth, which is extremely important for breeding work to improve reproductive characteristics in sows. Conclusion: Our work resulted in identification of variants associated with the reproductive characteristics of pigs. Moreover, we identified, variants which are potential markers for both the number of piglets at birth and the weight of piglets at birth, which is extremely important for breeding work to improve reproductive performance in sows.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.908-913
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• 1999

This experiment was conducted in three trials to evaluate optimal ambient temperature for a novel milk replacer feeding system designed for early-weaned pigs, compared to commercial dry diets fed within a conventional hot nursery. A total of 165 PIC genotype pigs were weaned at $13.89{\pm}0.7$ days of age and allotted to one of two dietary treatments in three trials based on weight and litter origin. Each trial consisted of pigs fed dry diets (DD) and pigs fed milk replacer (MR) which was offered in one of 3 different ambient temperatures. Pigs fed milk replacer were housed in a specialized nursery building in which one half of each pen contained an enclosed hover that was thermostatically maintained at $32^{\circ}C$ while the exterior ambient temperature (where milk was fed) was set at either 17 (trial 1), 24 (trial 2) or $32^{\circ}C$ (trial 3). Pigs fed dry diets with the conventional nursery were maintained at $30^{\circ}C$ for each trial. From d 21 to d 49, all pigs were fed DD within a standardized hot nursery environment. During the first week (d 14-21), pigs fed MR showed increased ADG from 214% to 228% over control pigs fed DD (p<0.001), regardless of ambient temperature. As ambient temperature was increased from 17 to 24 to $32^{\circ}C$, ADG of MR-fed pigs was increased by 214%, 220% and 228% over those of pigs fed DD, respectively. ADFIs of MR-fed pigs at $17^{\circ}C$, $24^{\circ}C$, and $32^{\circ}C$ compared with pigs fed DD were increased by 108%, 139% and 164% from d 14 to d 21, respectively. Fed efficiency (G/F) of MR-fed pigs at $17^{\circ}C$, $24^{\circ}C$, and $32^{\circ}C$ compared with pigs fed DD were 199%, 162% and 139% of those of pigs fed DD, respectively. As ambient temperature increased, diarrhea scores showed a slight tendency to increase. The advantage of MR feeding was greater when the ambient temperature was higher, but G/F was impaired with increased ambient temperature. We conclude that ambient temperature within the specialized nursery influenced behavior, MR feed intake, and probably piglet energy expenditure. There were no differences between MR-fed and DD-fed pigs for ADG, ADFI and G/F in the subsequent growth period (d 21 to d 49, p>0.05). Maximal advantage of MR feeding was obtained at the intermediate ($24^{\circ}C$) ambient temperature during the overall period (p<0.05). Results from this experiment indicate that a milk replacer feeding system utilized in the early postweaning period can maximize pig growth performance, and that ADG, ADFI and G/F were affected by different ambient temperatures within MR-fed pigs. The high or low temperatures could not support the maximal growth of pigs fed MR.

• 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.25 no.12
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• pp.1742-1747
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• 2012

A total of 96 growing pigs ((Landrace${\times}$Yorkshire)${\times}$Duroc; BW = $26.58{\pm}1.41$ kg) were used in a 6-wk feeding trail to evaluate the effects of fermented chlorella (FC) supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics, fecal microbial and fecal noxious gas content in growing pigs. Pigs were randomly allotted into 1 of 4 dietary treatments with 6 replicate pens (2 barrows and 2 gilts) per treatment. Dietary treatments were: i) negative control (NC), basal diet (without antibiotics); ii) positive control (PC), NC+0.05% tylosin; iii) (fermented chlorella 01) FC01, NC+0.1% FC, and iv) fermented chlorella 02 (FC02), NC+0.2% FC. In this study, feeding pigs PC or FC01 diets led to a higher average daily gain (ADG) and dry matter (DM) digestibility than those fed NC diet (p<0.05), whereas the inclusion of FC02 diet did not affect the ADG and DM compared with the NC group. No difference (p>0.05) was observed on the body weight, average daily feed intake (ADFI), gain:feed (G:F) ratio, the apparent total tract digestibility of N and energy throughout the experiment. The inclusion of PC or FC did not affect the blood characteristics (p>0.05). Moreover, dietary FC treatment led to a higher (p<0.05) lactobacillus concentration and lower E. coli concentration than the NC treatment, whereas the antibiotic supplementation only decreased the E. coli concentration. Pigs fed FC or PC diet had reduced (p<0.05) fecal $NH_3$ and $H_2S$ content compared with those fed NC diet. In conclusion, our results indicated that the inclusion of FC01 treatment could improve the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbial shedding (lower E. coli and higher lactobacillus), and decrease the fecal noxious gas emission in growing pigs when compared with the group fed the basal diet. In conclusion, dietary FC could be considered as a good source of supplementation in growing pigs because of its growth promoting effect.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.1440-1444
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• 2000

Two feeding trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of inclusion levels of dietary vitamin and trace mineral (VTM) premixes on growth and nutrient digestibility in growing pigs. A total of 112 pigs ($24.82{\pm}3.22kg$) were employed for 49 days (exp. 1), and 168 pigs ($21.64{\pm}1.41kg$) for 40 days (exp. 2) in completely randomized block designs. Treatments were: 1) 100%, 2) 150%, 3) 200% and 4) 250% NRC (1998) requirement of VTM in exp. 1, and the ratio of vitamins to trace minerals at 1) 100:100%, 2) 100:150%, 3) 150:100% and 4) 150:150% of NRC (1998) requirement in exp. 2. Basal diets for feeding trials were formulated to contain 3,310 kcal ME/kg and 18% crude protein, and contained 0.25% chromic oxide as an indigestible marker for digestibility trials. Increasing dietary VTM premix in growing pigs had linear and quadratic effects (p<0.05) on ADG, and feed conversion ratio was also improved (p<0.05) as VTM premix was increased by 150-250% of NRC (1998) requirements in exp. 1. Adding vitamin to trace mineral premixes at 150% NRC (1998) over the control improved (p<0.05) ADG and feed efficiency in growing pigs, but performances were not improved by vitamin nor by trace mineral premixes alone (p>0.15) (exp. 2). There were no differences (p>0.05) in the digestibilities of energy, crude protein and fat among dietary treatments. However, increasing dietary VTM premix in growing pigs had a linear effect (p<0.05) on the digestibilities of calcium and phosphorus. The 200 or 250% fed group showed improved (p<0.05) calcium digestibility, and 250% fed group also showed improved (p<0.05) phosphorus digestibility as compared to 100% or 150% fed group (exp. 1). The digestibilities of Ca and P were higher (p<0.05) in 150% addition of vitamins than in 150% addition of trace minerals in the diet (exp. 2).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.1163-1170
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• 2015

Two probiotic strains, Lactobacillus johnsonii x-1d-2 and Lactobacillus mucosae x-4w-1, originally isolated from piglet feces, have been demonstrated to possess antimicrobial activities, antibiotic resistances and interleukin-6 induction ability in RAW 267.4 macrophages in our previous study. These characteristics make L. johnsonii x-1d-2 and L. mucosae x-4w-1 good candidates for application in feed probiotics. In this study, soybeal meal, molasses and sodium acetate were selected to optimize the growth medium for cultivation of L. johnsonii x-1d-2 and L. mucosae x-4w-1. These two strains were then freeze-dried and mixed into the basal diet to feed the weaned piglets. The effects of L. johnsonii x-1d-2 and L. mucosae x-4w-1 on the growth performance and fecal microflora of weaned piglets were investigated. The results showed that the bacterial numbers of L. johnsonii x-1d-2 and L. mucosae x-4w-1 reached a maximum of 8.90 and 9.30 log CFU/mL, respectively, when growing in optimal medium consisting of 5.5% (wt/vol) soybean meal, 1.0% (wt/vol) molasses and 1.0% (wt/vol) sodium acetate. The medium cost was 96% lower than the commercial de Man, Rogosa and Sharpe medium. In a further feeding study, the weaned piglets fed basal diet supplemented with freeze-dried probiotic cultures exhibited higher (p<0.05) body weight gain, feed intake, and gain/feed ratio than weaned piglets fed basal diet. Probiotic feeding also increased the numbers of lactobacilli and decreased the numbers of E. coli in the feces of weaned piglets. This study demonstrates that L. johnsonii x-1d-2 and L. mucosae x-4w-1 have high potential to be used as feed additives in the pig industry.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.411-416
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• 1999

Ninety-six, 35 day old, crossbred pigs, were fed either a basal diet based on com, soybean meal, fish meal and whey or one of three similar diets supplemented with either 0.5% organic acid or enzyme both alone and in combination. Neither organic acid nor enzyme produced any significant (p<0.05) improvements in daily gain or feed conversion. Organic acid, both alone and in combination with enzyme, significantly (p=0.04) decreased the pH in the lower colon. None of the treatments produced any effects on E. Coli or Lactobacillus numbers in any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Feeding enzyme increased trypsin (p=0.01), chymotrypsin (p=0.03) and amylase (p=0.08) levels in the jejunum. Chymotrypsin levels were higher (p=0.04) in the ileum of pigs fed enzyme. Serum glucose levels were lower (p=0.01) on day 14 in pigs fed enzyme either alone or in combination with acid. Under the conditions of this experiment (10% dietary whey, pigs weaned at 35 days of age), neither organic acid nor enzyme were effective in improving starter pig performance. Therefore, there would appear to be little justification for the routine inclusion of these products in diets fed to pigs weaned at 35 days or later.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.1738-1742
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• 2000

A study was conducted to determine the ileal digestibility (ID) of amino acids and feeding values of spray dried plasma protein (SDPP) and spray dried porcine intestine hydrolysate (SDPI) in early-weaned pigs. Twelve pigs aged 18 days old (Landrace${\times}$Yorkshire${\times}$Duroc; $5.83{\pm}0.51kg$ BW) were cannulated in the terminal ileum for determination of ID of amino acids. Ninety pigs ($6.28{\pm}0.1kg$, 18 days old) were also employed for a feeding trial during phase I period. Treatments were: 1) 6% SDPP, 2) 6% SDPI, and 3) 3% SDPP+3% SDPI. The apparent and true ID values of the essential amino acids except leucine, methionine and valine were lower (p<0.01) in SDPI than in SDPP. The average apparent ID of essential amino acids in SDPP and SDPI were 75.63 and 71.30%, and the average true ID of essential amino acids 84.83 and 80.51%, respectively. The ADG and feed conversion ratio in piglets fed the 6% SDPP diet were better (p<0.01) than in those fed the 6% SDPI diet. When 3% of SDPP was replaced by SDPI, however, the growth rate and efficiency of pigs were comparable to those in pigs fed 6% SDPP. In conclusion, SDPP can be partially replaced by SDPI without any detrimental effect on growth performance in early-weaned pigs.