Progress 10/01/99 to 09/30/04
Outputs
The interactions between trace minerals and other dietary nutrients are largely unknown. Most of the trace mineral requirements are based on simple additon studies and have not been evaluated based on interactions with other nutrients. A series of studies was conducted to determine the effects of copper, zinc, and lanthanum on the growth performance of animals fed diets with varying nutrient contents. The addition of copper and zinc to the diets of nursery pigs showed that both would stimulate growth, but that the effects were not additive. This would indicate that both elements may be stimulating the same growth pathway. Studies indicated that different sources of copper in nursery pig diets could stimulate growth, but that only copper sulfate would improve feed efficiency. Previous studies have shown that copper improved the pig's ability to digest fat, however, studies with zinc showed that zinc had not effect on the pig's ability to digest fat. Feeding zinc the
first 2 weeks post-weaning was shown to increase growth performance, however, when zinc was removed from the diet, pigs fed zinc during the early part of the nursery trial had performance that was decreased compared to the control pigs. Additional studies have shown that zinc supplementation may be required longer then 2 weeks to maintain pig performance. Lanthanum is a rare earth element, that has been shown to have growth promoting properties in some species. The addition of lanthanum as lanthanum chloride had no effect on the growth performance of weanling pigs. However, carry over effects during the grow/finish period showed that pigs fed lanthanum in the nursery period had improved growth performance. The metabolic role of lanthanum is unknown and continues to be investigated.
Impacts
Data from these studies has helped to identify the role of copper, zinc and lanthanum in the growth performance of weanling pigs. These data indicate that copper and zinc may work through a similar pathway and that lanthanum may have long term effects on growth performance. Improved growth performance and pig health help to increase producer profits. Identifying the amounts of minerals needed in the diet helps to prevent feeding excessive amounts and helps to reduce environmental contamination.
Publications
- Dove, C. R. 2004. Vitamins - Water soluble: Biotin, Choline, Niacin and Ascorbic Acid. In: Pond, W. and A. Bell (Eds), Encyclopedia of Animal Science. Mercel Dekker, New York. pp. 862-864.
- Dove, C. R. 2004. Vitamins - Water soluble: Pantothenic Acid, Folic Acid, and B12. In: Pond, W. and A. Bell (Eds), Encyclopedia of Animal Science. Mercel Dekker, New York. pp. 865-867.
- Dove, C. R. 2004. Vitamins - Water soluble: Thiamin, Riboflavin, and B6. In: Pond, W. and A. Bell (Eds), Encyclopedia of Animal Science. Mercel Dekker, New York. pp. 868-870.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Lanthanum Chloride was added to the diets of weanling pigs to determine the effect on growth performance. Data indicates that 50 to 125 Lanthanum in the diet had litte effect on growth performance during the nursery phase. However, carry over effects during the grow/finish phase were significant and pigs fed 100-125 ppm lanthanum during the nursery phase may have had improved immune function at finishing. Data indicates that feeding 1500-2000 ppm zinc as zinc oxide during phase 2(days 10-21) and 3 (days 22-35) of the nursery period improved growth performance and feed intake, but had no effect on feed efficiency. These data indicate that weanling pigs may have a higher requirement for zinc then previously thought. Zinc addition to the diets of growing pigs the first two weeks after moving from the nursery also appears to improve performance. Zinc is thought to possibly improve the immune function of these animals. Other minerals have been evaluated for potential
growth promotion in nursery pigs. The data from these minerals is mixed and research in this area continues.
Impacts
Data from these studies had helped to identify the weanling pig's need for specific mineral nutrients and to help eliminate excess nutrients in the diets. Improvements in growth performance and immune function help swine producers to maintain healthier more productive herds.
Publications
- Dove, C. R. 2003. The effect of increasing dietary zinc concentration in phase 2 and 3 nursery diets on the growth performance of weanling pigs. J. Anim. Sci. J. Anim. Sci. 80 (suppl. 2):82.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
Data indicates that feeding 1500-2000 ppm zinc as zinc oxide during phase 2(days 10-21) and 3 (days 22-35) of the nursery period improved growth performance and feed intake, but had no effect on feed efficiency. These data indicate that weanling pigs may have a higher requirement for zinc then previously thought. Zinc addition to the diets of growing pigs the first two weeks after moving from the nursery also appears to improve performance. Zinc is thought to possibly improve the immune function of these animals. Other minerals have been evaluated for potential growth promotion in nursery pigs. The data from these minerals is mixed and research in this area continues.
Impacts
Data from these studies has helped to identify the weanling pig's need for specific mineral nutrients and to help eliminate excess nutrients in the diets. Improvements in growth performance and immune function help swine producers to maintain healthier more productive herds.
Publications
- Dove, C. R. 2003. The effect of increasing dietary zinc concentrations in phase 2 and 3 nursery diets on the growth performance of weanling pigs. J. Anim. Sci. 81:(In Press).
- Dove, C. R. 2002. The effect of zinc concentration in nursery diets on the growth performance of weanling pigs. Univ. of Georgia, College of Agric. and Environ. Sci., Dept. of Anim. and Dairy Sci. Annual Report. pp 217-220.
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
Research indicates that feeding 3000 ppm of zinc during the first phase of the nursery period improved the growth performance of weanling pigs. However, growth performance decreased during phase 2 and 3 of the nursery period when the Zn was removed from the diet. Data indicates that feeding 1500-2000 ppm during phase 2 and 3 of the nursery phase improved growth performance and feed intake, but had no effect on feed efficiency. These data indicate that additional Zn may be needed in the phase 2 and 3 diets of nursery pigs. Additional studies with growing pigs indicate that the addition of 3000 ppm zinc to the diet the first 2 weeks after the nursery period will improve performance during the growing-finishing phase. These data indicate that Zn may help to reduce the effects of the stress of moving, sorting and regrouping these animals. Previous studies have shown that copper affects the weanling pig's ability to utilize fat. Studies have indicated that there are no
interactions between the addition of growth stimulating levels of zinc and the weanling pig's ability to utilize soybean oil. Data from these trials indicates that the addition of 3000 ppm zinc to the diets of weanling swine will increase growth performance, but had little effect on feed efficiency. The addition of up to 5% soybean oil had little effect on the growth performance of weanling pigs. These data indicate that either copper or zinc can be used to stimulate growth in weanling pigs. Improvements in the pig's ability to utilize nutrients and in determining ways to decrease the concentrations of minerals in the diets of weanling swine has helped to decrease the concentration of nutrients excreted in the waste stream.
Impacts
Data from these studies has helped to identify the weanling pig's need for specific mineral nutrients and to help eliminate excess nutrients in the diets. Decreases in dietary nutrients help to reduce the nutrients in the waste stream, helping to make swine production more environmentally friendly. Studies have helped to identify the metabolic interactions present in weanling swine and have aided in the development of more efficient diets for these animals.
Publications
- Dove, C. R. 2001. The effects of supplementing zinc and soybean oil to the diets of weanling pigs on growth performance. J. Anim. Sci. 79(Suppl. 2):78
- Dove, C. R. 2000. The effects of dietary zinc and soybean oil addition on the growth performance of weanling pigs. Univ. of Georgia, College of Agric & Environ. Sci., Dept. of Anim. & Dairy Sci. Annual Report, pp 109-113.
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
Research indicates that feeding either 3000 ppm zinc or 250 ppm copper in the diets of weanling pigs will improve growth performance. Data indicates that the responses to copper and zinc are not additive, indicating that one or the other is adequate in the diets of weanling pigs. Studies have also indicated that feeding a combination of copper citrate and copper sulfate results in a similar growth response as feeding higher levels of copper sulfate. Pigs fed diets containing 30 ppm copper from copper citrate and 50 ppm copper from copper sulfate had growth performance similar to pigs fed diets containing 250 ppm copper from copper sulfate. However, only those pigs fed the diets containing 250 ppm copper from copper sulfate had improved feed efficiency compared to the controls. Previous studies have shown that copper affects the weanling pig's ability to utilize fat. Studies have indicated that there are no interactions between the addition of growth stimulating levels
of zinc and the weanling pig's ability to utilize soybean oil. Data from these trials indicates that the addition of 3000-ppm zinc to the diets of weanling swine will increase growth performance, but had little effect on feed efficiency. The addition of up to 5% soybean oil had little effect on the growth performance of weanling pigs. These data indicate that either copper or zinc can be used to stimulate growth in weanling pigs. Improvements in the pig's ability to utilize nutrients and to determining ways to decrease the concentrations of minerals in the diets of weanling swine will help to decrease the concentration of nutrients excreted in the waste stream.
Impacts
Data from these studies has helped to identify the weanling pig's need for specific mineral nutrients and to help eliminate excess nutrients in the diets. Decreases in dietary nutrients help to reduce the nutrients in the waste stream, helping to make swine production more environmentally friendly. Studies have helped to identify the metabolic interactions present in weanling swine and have aided in the development of more efficient diets for these animals.
Publications
- Hill, G. M., Cromwell, G. L., Crenshaw, T. D., Dove, C. R., Ewan, R. C., Knabe, D. A., Lewis, A. J., Libal, G. W., Mahan, D. C., Shurson, G. C., Southern, L. L. and Veum, T. L. 2000. Growth promotion effects and plasma changes from feeding high dietary concentrations of zinc and copper to weanling pigs. J. Anim. Sci. 78:1010-1016.
- Dove, C. R. and Schell, T. C. 2000. Effects of various combinations of copper citrate and copper sulfate on the growth performance of weanling pigs. J. Anim. Sci. 78(Suppl. 1):191.
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