Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience is students-includes high school, undergraduate and graduate students, swine producers, animal feed manufacturers and health professionals. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Training activities- Both the faculty and the research technician gave several one-on one training on sampling and lab analysis procedures, and summary of results and presentations. Professional development- Researchers participated in the American Association of Animal Sciences Annual conferences in the last three years and at the International Digestive Physiology in 2012. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Work was presented at the International Digestive Physiology Conference, American Association of Animal Sciences and for class purposes as deemed necessary. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? This is terminal report. No future plans.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Major activities completed: All objectives listed below were completed and reported on time Specific objectives met Objective 1: To evaluate the effects of feeding HFD on feed intake, growth performance and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations in pigs. Objective 2: To determine the effects of feeding HFD on digestibility, absorption and nitrogen and minerals net- balances in pigs Objective 3: To assess the environmental impacts of feeding HFD to growing pigs Objective 4: To evaluate the benefits of feeding HFD to sows at different stages of gestation Significant results achieved: Replacing 47% of corn in diet with HFD improved growth performance of pigs however feed intake was 12.4% higher than in LFD fed pigs, with no significant differences among HFD fed pigs. As the amount of oats in the diet increased total VFA concentration increased while isobutyrate decreased. While feeding HFD reduced availability of calcium, availability of other minerals improved as the oat to barley ratio in the diet increased. The model used to determine carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) concentration showed increases in CO2 and CH4 as the oat to barley ratio in the diet increases. Average litter size at birth, and litter weights at birth and weaning were higher (0.28 pig/sow/ year; 0.60 and 2.24 kg, respectively) than in sows fed LFD. A change in knowledge: Traditionally, feed ingredients that are high in fiber are reserved for use in ruminant diets. However, the current economic climate and the desire to improve the health and welfare of pigs have helped with the inclusion of non-conventional feed ingredient in feed. Also, feeding pigs HFD has long been controversial but our data have shown that growth performances of pigs of all ages and/or reproductive stages of sows improved from feeding multiple sources of fiber as partial replacements (47%) of corn in the diet. There is a growing interest in HFD as was evident from the crowed attending the conferences who not only engaged us in discussions but also expressed words of encouragement to keep the work going and we hope that some of the discussion would reach producers and extension agents. Change in action- There is a good potential if it reach the most innovative swine producers.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Woldeghebriel, A., S. Smith, T. Barrios, B. Pope and S. Gebrelul. Evaluating the effects of feeding different sources of fiber on absorption of minerals in pigs. JAM 2013, Indianapolis, IN (Abstract)
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Woldeghebriel, A., S. Smith, T. Barios, B. Pope and S. Gebrelul. 2013. Impact of High Fiber Diet on Digestion and Absorption of Minerals in Growing Pigs. J. Agric. Sci. Technol. A3:886-895.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Woldeghebriel, A., S. Smith, T. Barios, B. Pope and S. Gebrelul. 2013. Environmental Impacts of Feeding High-fiber Diet to Pigs. J. Agri. Sci. Technol. A3: 60-65.
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Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The inclusion of fiber in the diet offered to pigs is associated with reduction of foregut digestibility of nutrients and yet there is a great deal of interest in the utilization of dietary fiber by pigs for various reasons. Therefore, a study was initiated to test the hypothesis that sows fed a high fiber diet (HFD) 4-5 d prior to breeding would have larger and heavier litters, sows would regain lactation weight losses faster, and the weaning-breeding interval would be shorter, compared to the low-fiber diet (LFD) fed sows. To test the hypothesis, a corn-soybean meal based LFD as control (CON; 8.2% aNDF), and a HFD (20.4% aNDF) test diet, formulated to meet the nutrient requirements of sows, were used. Sows were randomly assigned to one of the diets receiving 2.73 kg per sow per day and 2.73 kg, per meal and 3 meals per day during the gestation and lactation periods, respectively. Currently, there are 16 sows in the first of four sets of sows (8 per group) that are in their last stage of gestation. Even though we are in the early stages of the project, preliminary data from the first group of sows seem to confirm our previous report that inclusion of dietary fiber at the current level (22.4% aNDF) could be beneficial to the reproductive and productive capacities of sows. At this stage, we are only observing a trend on a limited number of data from a small number of sows, but as we get more data from the remaining three groups of sows over the next few months, we would be able to make a fair assessment and definitive conclusion on the benefits or the lack of benefits of dietary fiber to sows. The dissemination of information will be through professional meetings, publications, "Small Farm Days" and related occasions. PARTICIPANTS: The swine farm group (T. Barios and B. Pope) has always been involved in the day-to-day management of the project animals. The Analytical lab at Carver Hall and the labs of Drs. Worku and Ibrahim and the technical support of Ms. Andrea Byers were very helpful with the ongoing identification and enumeration of the major bacteria species in feces. One graduate and two undergraduate students worked in the project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
We are still collecting data. However, based on the similarities between our current and previous study, the potential impacts could come in the form of reduced feed cost, larger and heavier litters, and sows possibly maintaining higher body condition scores with shorter weaning-breeding intervals. In addition, we may be able to see improved survival rate of piglets and lower stereotypic behaviors, improved gut health and increased voluntary feed intake of sows during lactation. While the above mentioned efficiencies and improvements could mean improved cash-return to investment, lowering the stereotypic behavior of the animal could be an economic issue but definitely an animal welfare issue that could improve the image of producers in the eye of consumers. The resources provided support for two undergraduate and one graduate student and for laboratory supplies needed to conduct the in vitro and in vivo studies. The project also provided opportunities for "changes in knowledge" of students regarding the prospects and benefits of dietary fiber that could benefit small farmers, especially at a time when the increases in feed cost is the highest it has ever been, and the commodity future market value is less predictable.
Publications
- Woldeghebriel A., Smith, S., Barrios, T and Pope, B. 2012. Gut Fermentation and Growth Performance of Pigs Fed High Fiber Diet. J. Agric. Sci. Technol. A2:1290-1295.
- Woldeghebriel, A., Smith, S., Barios, T., Pope, B. and Gebrelul, S. 2013. Environmental Impact of Feeding High Fiber Diet to Pigs J. Agric. Sci. Technol. Volume 3 (No A1) in the January.
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Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Reproductive sows are restrictively fed during gestation and are generally fed ad libitum during lactation. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that sows fed a high-fiber diet (bulk) during the last 30 days of gestation would have higher litter weights at birth, would regain weight losses from early lactation faster, and have would have heavier litters at weaning compared with the control diet fed sows. The objective of the study was to evaluate the nutritional value of mixtures of three non-conventional feed ingredients on the sow and piglet performances. Diets used include: corn-soybean meal based control (CON), and three antibiotics-free, high fiber diets (D1, D2, and D3) each containing 5% sugar beet pulps (SBP) and one of the following (1:2, 1:1 and 2:1) oats to barley ratios respectively. The experimental diets were similar in nitrogen (14% protein) and energy (3.415 Mcal. DE/kg). Contents were supplemented with vitamins and minerals to meet nutrient requirements of sows. Sows were randomly assigned to 1 of the 4 diets. From mating until 84-85 days into gestation, all sows were fed 2.73 kg (1.36% of average body weight) of a standard gestation diet once a day (0800h). They were then switched to the experimental diets and received the same amount of feed during the last 30 days of gestation. During lactation, sows continued receiving the same 2.73 kg of feed (3x per day) containing either low fiber (CON, 8.2% NDF) or high fiber (Treatment diet; 20.2% NDF). Because of the limited numbers of gestation crates, only 15 sows at a time were used until the desired 5 sows per diet was reached. Results of the study indicated that litter size at birth in the high-fiber diet fed sows increased by 0.27 pig/sow/year compared with the control diet fed group. The average litter birth weight of piglet from treatment diet fed sows was 0.6 kg heavier than the average litter weight of the control diet fed sows. Similarly, the average litter weight at weaning was also 2.24 kg heavier than the control diet fed groups. Sows that were fed the high fiber diets were on the average 2.85 kg heavier than the control diet fed sows at weaning. What was notably different in the treatment diet fed sows was that the average litter weight gain during the first week of lactation was much higher than the second or the third week of lactation, indicating that the maternal milk supply might have been higher, and/or probably the rate of microbial colonization of the gut had not peaked yet. This shows that these sows have successfully utilized the fiber component of the diet, even though the amount of fiber was approximately 2.5 times higher than in the control diet. However, more needs to be done on the inclusion levels of the fiber that can be safely fed to the animal. PARTICIPANTS: The PI, Dr. Abraham Woldeghebriel, one graduate and one undergraduate student, two of the swine research management team at NCA&T farm were involved in the project. The students were able to learn and participate in the initial stages of developing the concept and designing and implementing a project, data and sample collection and analysis. TARGET AUDIENCES: Researchers, swine producers, feed manufactures, and extension service professionals. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The positive evidence of economically important indicators such as litter weight at birth and at weaning observed in the current study may encourage others to explore other potential benefits of feeding high fiber containing diets. The ultimate impact of this study was the improved performances of sows and litters fed high-fiber diets, and since 47% the corn in the control diet was replaced with relatively much cheaper feed ingredients, there is good reason to believe that feed costs could be significantly reduced. A study involving larger numbers of animals and data sets would be more meaningful for swine producers of all sizes. Further evaluation of the benefits of dietary fiber may also provide new insights into the overall productive and reproductive performance of sows. Results are as follows: Weight gain of gestating sows fed treatment diets improved indicating that these sows were able to utilize the dietary fiber even though the fiber content of the diet was 2.5 times higher than in the standard gestation diet used as a control diet. In addition the higher births and weaning weights of litters from the high-fiber diet fed sows indicates that either milk yield of sows or, the energy value of the milk must have increased, since growth rates of piglets especially during the first couple of weeks depend largely on maternal milk since they are too young for solid feeds. Also, average daily/weekly weights of piglets from high-fiber diet fed sows were higher than the litters from control diet fed sows even two-weeks after weaning. This could in part be due to the much healthier gut-ecology that has been reported in several previous studies, including ours, which also found that pigs fed high-fiber gained more than the control diet fed pigs. This may also mean that when litters from control diet fed sows were suddenly switched to the antibiotic-free diets after weaning, it would be very difficult and may even take longer to be able to defend themselves against the pathogenic bacteria residing in the gut or colonized the gut upon the withdrawal of the antibiotics. The other possible explanation could be what Farmer and associates (1995) indicated in their report stating that there was a tendency for greater concentrations of prolactin during gestation and lactation in sows fed a diet containing wheat bran and corn cobs (high fiber) compared with the standard diet fed pigs.
Publications
- Woldeghebriel, A. 2012. Effects of Feeding Multiple Sources and Levels of Sources of Dietary Fiber on Growth Performances and Fermentation Indices in Pigs. Journal of Animal Feed Science and Technology. (Submitted)
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Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Two independent trials (one metabolism and one feeding) were conducted to evaluate the nutritional value of non-conventional feed ingredients used as a partial replacement for corn in swine diets. In the first trial, 16 crossbred [(Yorkshire x Landrace, sow) x Berkshire] barrows averaging 16.4 kg were used to determine the apparent dry matter digestibility of the feed, and fecal consistency scores of the pigs. Pigs were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 diets after metabolic crate assignments with individual pigs serving as experimental units. The diets were iso-nitrogenous (18% protein) and iso-caloric (3.415 Mcal. DE/kg), supplemented with vitamins and minerals to meet the nutrient requirement of the pigs. Diets used include: corn-soybean meal based control (C), and three antibiotics-free, high fiber diets (D1, D2, and D3) each containing 5% sugar beet pulps (SBP) and one of the following (1:2, 1:1 and 2:1) oats to barley ratios respectively. The study period was 10 days of adjustment, followed by 5 days of sample collection. Results indicated that except for the pigs fed the lowest oat to barley ratio (D1), dry matter digestibility was not affected by the fiber content of the test-diets. Average daily feed intake and body weight gain of pigs on the test-diets were higher than the pigs on the corn (C) diet. Pigs fed diets containing proportionately more oats were more efficient and gained faster than the pigs fed the lowest oats-to-barley ratio. The lowest fecal consistency score occurred in the C and D1 fed pigs, while the highest score was in the D3 fed pigs. In the second trial, 96 crossbred pigs averaging 9.0 kg were used to determine the effects of multiple sources and levels of fiber from the test-diets on pig performance, particularly feed intake, as well as feed efficiency,and weight gain. The experimental design employed 4 dietary treatments (see above) and 4 pens per dietary treatment. Feed intake and live body weights were recorded weekly. After nine weeks of feeding, 3 pigs from each feeding regimen were selected and remained on their respective diets for one more week prior to slaughter. Gut contents from the stomach, intestines and cecum were collected for laboratory analysis at a later time. Results of the study indicated that feed intake of pigs fed D1 and D3 was lower than D2, or C diet fed pigs. Average daily weight gain of pigs that were fed D2 or D3 was higher than the C diet fed pigs. The studies demonstrated that up to 47% of the corn in the diet of growing pigs can be replaced with oats, barley plus SBP without affecting growth. But when the fiber content of test-diets exceeded 30%, feed intake and weight gain of pigs decreased precipitately. In summary, the studies highlighted the benefits of feeding multiple sources and levels of dietary fiber from barley, oats plus sugar beet pulps to growing pigs through improved digestibility and feed efficiency, resulting in higher fecal consistency scores and body weight gains. It was also noted that pigs that were fed diets containing proportionately higher oats to barley ratio grew faster than pigs that were fed proportionately higher barley to oats ratio. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Mainly limited resource farmers, but swine producers regardless of size can benefit from the information upon release. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Traditionally, feed ingredients that are high in fiber have been reserved for use in ruminant diets. However, the economic climate and concerns over preserving the health and welfare of pigs especially in modern commercial production systems, have prompted swine producers to seek alternative approaches and uses of less-traditional feed ingredients such as oats and barley in swine diet. However, oats and barley are high in fiber and pigs can only moderately utilize high-fiber diets for energy. Earlier reports by Meyer (2008) indicated that oats can be fed to growing pigs at 25% of the diet without affecting their performances while at 50%, feed efficiency declined precipitately. However, according to the performance indicators used in the current project, up to 47% of the corn, or 35% of the diet was replaced with mixtures of oats, barley plus SBP, and growth performance of pigs that were fed these test-diets were higher than the control diet fed pigs. Likewise, pigs that were fed diets containing proportionately higher oats to barley ratio showed elevated fecal consistency scores than the C diet fed pigs. The higher fecal consistency score and improved growth performances observed in the antibiotic-free test-diet fed pigs is virtuous especially at a time when the swine industry is under tremendous pressure to raise pigs on antibiotic-free diets. Besides providing energy, a dietary level of 10-20% oats is helpful in minimizing diarrhea, and protecting growing pigs against ulcers (Meyer, 2008). The other beneficial impact of this project is its potential to reduce feed costs. According to the December 2010 issue from the World Agricultural Outlook Board (www.thefishsite.com), commodity pricing for oats, barley, and corn is projected to stay at $2.15-2.35, 3.70-4.10 and 4.90-5.70/bu. respectively. Corn price for the month of December in NC was $ 5.76/bushel. Therefore, using these numbers, replacing 47% of the corn in the diet with oats, barley and sugar beet pulps would be cost effective. If the rations were formulated on least-cost ration bases, prices of the test-diets should have been lower than the corn-soybean meal-based standard/control diet. However, feed companies were either unwilling or unable to lower the price, and as a result, we didn't see any meaningful feed cost differential between the test-diets and the control diet. Assuming that the significant weight gain difference observed between the test-diet fed pigs and the control diet fed pigs remains the same throughout the growing-finishing phases, pigs that were fed test-diets could go to market at a much earlier age than the control diet fed pigs, which means less feed is needed to raise the same amount of pork. Since the prophylactic and growth promoting functions of antibiotics in animal feed has been under scrutiny for quite some time, and even though there are conflicting reports about the beneficial effects of dietary fiber in the literature today, inclusion of a modest amount of fiber from barley, oats and sugar beet pulp could lower the incidences of diarrhea and improve feed efficiency and the performance of growing pigs.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: According to Iowa State University Extension Services, corn prices have increased from $1.90 in 2005 to $4.77/bushel in 2008. Also, considerable controversy persists regarding the use of antibiotics to promote growth in animals raised for food. Therefore, the main objectives of this study are to evaluate the economics and nutritional values of alternative feed ingredients and what effects they may have on the health of the animal and swine odors. The objectives will be accomplished through a series of metabolism (Experiment-1), and feeding (Experiments 2, 3, 4 and 5) trials over a period of three years. Dietary treatments include: control (CON) and three antibiotics-free (D1, D2, and D3) diets containing different levels and sources of fiber (oats, barley, and soybean hulls/sugar beet pulps). All three feed ingredients will constitute 35% of the diet and replace 47% of the corn. The feed cost of the test-diets will be analyzed and the health and general well-being of growing pigs on antibiotic-free diets will be monitored for signs of abnormalities and luminal development. Major organic compounds associated with swine odor will also be analyzed in the lab. The experimental design will be completely randomized consisting of four treatments, four pens per treatment and between 4-8 animals per pen. Data collected will be analyzed using GLM procedures of SAS and treatment means will be compared using Duncan's multiple range tests (Steel et. al, 1996). Experiment-1: metabolism trial: 16 crossbred (Yorkshire x Landrace) male pigs will be used in the study. The diet will be formulated to meet the protein requirements and vitamins and minerals will be supplemented according to NRC (1998) recommendations. The study will be conducted for 20 days. Experiment-2: 64 pigs of mixed sex weighing approximately 10 kg will be used. The experiment will be conducted for 45 d, or until the average weight of the pigs reaches 60 kg. Bacterial-N, NH3 and VFA concentration in feces will be determined. Experiment-3: 48 pigs (males and females) weighing approximately 40 kg will be fed their respective diets until the average weight reaches 90 kg. Two pigs from each group will be randomly selected and put to sleep through intravenous injection of 20% sodium pentobarbital 4 h after morning feeding. Gut contents will be collected from the different section of the intestine and used to determine dry matter residue, pH, VFA, and microbial mass yield. The two remaining pigs in each group will continue receiving their respective diets until they reach 105 kg, sacrificed, sampled, and analyzed as stated above. Experiment-4: 32 barrows (55 + or - 1 kg) will be used to determine feed intake, weight gains, back fat thickness, loin-eye area, feed costs, and days to market at 135 kg. Experiment -5: 36 recently bred and confirmed sows (parity 3-5) will receive their daily rations at 1% of body weight for the first two months of gestation and increased by 0.5% for the remaining days. Sows will be weighed initially, bi-weekly and 3-4 d prior to farrowing. Litter sizes and weights will be recorded, and body condition scores taken 1-2d before, and a week after farrowing. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Swine producers continuously look for new feed ingredients to help them reduce feed costs and produce a final product that meets specific consumers' demand such as antibiotic-free animal products. Also concerns over preserving the welfare and health of animals and tight profit margins have prompted livestock producers in general to seek alternative approaches to feeding their animals. The potential outcomes of the current project focus on two important issues, namely: reducing feed costs, and improving the health of the animals without using in-feed growth promoting antibiotics. Dietary fiber has traditionally been avoided in diets for growing pigs because of its depressing effect on digestibility and energy. However, dietary fiber may not harm performance provided that pigs consume diets that contain adequate amount of net energy. Also, some recent findings indicate that dietary fiber can have positive effects on gut health, welfare, and reproductive performance of pigs. Unfortunately there is a dearth of information available on dietary fiber in general and even less so on the soluble and insoluble fractions of dietary fiber in the less commonly used feedstuffs in swine diets. There is also enough evidence to show that composition of the diet has potential to influence the species and number of bacteria in the gut. Dietary fiber is potentially beneficial to animal health by changing the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, alteration in the composition of manure could also influence the microbial environment, which might reduce odor and accumulation of solid residues in the lagoon. Gestating sows are normally fed restricted amounts of feed to control body weight gain, but feed restriction increases the occurrence of undesirable stereotypic behavior of the animal. The occurrence of such undesirable behaviors is often used to measure welfare of sows in gestation crates. Diets high in non-starch polysaccharides can significantly reduce the occurrences of such undesirable behaviors by reducing feeding motivations, or increasing satiaty. However, the minimum amount of dietary fiber required in the diet to achieve this positive effect has not been elucidated. The most important issue that this project will address is feed costs. If corn prices continue to increase or even remain the same, swine producers will need alternative feeds to remain profitable, provided that current prices of the proposed alternative feed ingredients remains the same or increase only slightly.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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