As the global population continues to increase, the demand for livestock production also rises. This has led to growing interest in efficient approaches to enhance animal growth and development. Phytonutrients are considered a promising alternative to synthetic compounds to improve animal growth performance. The objective of the study was to examine the effects of varying doses of phytonutrient supplementation on pig growth and metabolism. Thirty-two crossbred pigs (approximately 2 months of age, 17.7 kg± 0.82 kg) were randomly assigned to one of four phytonutrient groups (Control: 0 ppm; 1: 62.5 ppm; 2: 125 ppm; 3: 250 ppm) fed ad libitum for 28 days. Body weight was recorded on days -5, -1, 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28. Feed intake was recorded daily, and body composition measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was obtained on days -1, 14, and 28. Pigs increased (P<0.0001) in body weight, irrespective of treatment (P≤0.0535). Control pigs had greater average daily gain (ADG) when compared with other diets (P<0.001). Treatment 3 had the highest (P<0.05) feed:gain when compared with other treatments. Lean percentage of body weight decreased (P<0.0001) while fat mass increased (P<0.0001) over the duration of the study. Overall, supplementation of this phytonutrient blend did not show significant improvement to the growth of the pigs. / Master of Science / As the global population grows, there is increasing pressure to enhance livestock production efficiently. One potential solution is using phytonutrients, natural compounds found in plants, as an alternative to synthetic additives to enhance animal growth. This study explored how different doses of a phytonutrient supplement affects the growth and metabolism of growing pigs. Thirty-two crossbred pigs, approximately two months of age, were assigned to one of four treatment groups (Control: 0 ppm; 1: 62.5 ppm; 2: 125 ppm; 3: 250 ppm) over a 28-day period. Body weight, food intake, and body composition were all measured at various points throughout the study. While pigs did gain weight overall, there was no significant benefit from the phytonutrient supplementation in terms of growth improvement. Notably, pigs on the highest dose had the highest feed to gain ratio (F:G). Additionally, pigs receiving no additional supplement had the highest average daily gain in weight. Overall, phytonutrient supplementation did not lead to noticeable gains in growth performance. The outcome of this study highlights the need for further investigation into alternative growth enhancers in livestock production.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / Joel M. DeRouchey / Five experiments using a total of 4,470 pigs were used to determine the effects of dietary Cu and Zn source and finishing pig space allowance. Experiment 1 evaluated increasing dietary Zn from Zn hydroxychloride or ZnSO4 for finishing pigs. Increasing dietary Zn up to 100 mg/kg Zn maximized ADG and HCW with the greatest response observed during the last 37 d period when ractopamine was included in the diet. Pigs fed diets with Zn hydroxychloride had greater HCW compared to those fed ZnSO4. Experiment 2 evaluated increasing dietary Cu from either CuSO4 or a 50:50 blend of CuSO4:Cu-AA for finishing pigs. Pigs fed Cu from CuSO4 alone consumed more feed and tended to have poorer feed efficiency than those fed a 50:50 blend of Cu from CuSO4:Cu-AA. Pigs fed a 50:50 blend of CuSO4:Cu-AA had improved HCW G:F but ADG was unchanged on a live and HCW basis. Experiments 3 and 4 evaluated increasing dietary Cu from tri-basic copper chloride or a Cu-chelate for nursery pigs. In Exp. 3, increasing Cu from Cu-chelate to 150 mg/kg Cu increased ADG and ending BW. Increasing Cu to 150 mg/kg Cu increased ADFI and improved G:F. Pigs fed Cu from Cu-chelate had greater ADG, ADFI and ending BW than those fed Cu from tri-basic copper chloride. In Exp. 4, increasing Cu to 225 mg/kg Cu increased ADG and ending BW. Because ADFI was unchanged, G:F tended to be improved as Cu level increased. There were no differences detected between Cu sources for growth performance. Experiment 5 was conducted to determine the effects of increasing space allowance by pig removal or gate adjustment during the finishing period. Pigs provided 0.91 m2 had increased ADG compared with those allowed 0.63 m2 with pigs from pens provided increased space intermediate. Pigs provided 0.91 m2 had increased ADFI compared with pigs allowed 0.63 m2 and those where a pig was removed; however, pigs from pens where the gate was adjusted were intermediate. As pigs grew to the minimum predicted space requirement and were subsequently allowed more space, performance was greater than those initially provided 0.61 m2 but less than those allowed 0.91 m2.

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The aim of this study was to find out about the Swedish pig farmers strategies to keep up with the competition against the import of pork from Denmark and at the same time be able to satisfy the pigs need of acting out their natural behavior. This study is based on in-depth interviews with the company "MinFarm" and eight Swedish pork producers. The result of the study was several different strategies for the Swedish pork producers to maintain in the competition against the imported meat and farmers opinions about animal welfare. One of the pork producers pointed out that it is not possible to create a completely natural environment because the pigs live in stables. The concept about animal welfare is not easy to define but pigs that are healthy, gets its social needs satisfied and doesn't suffer from any diseases has a better life and higher welfare than animals who does not live under those conditions. For the farmers to make it worth the extra cost of the higher welfare, customers must be willing to prioritize the animal’s welfare and be willing to pay the extra money that will provide for the production. At present, it is not possible to have an effective meat production and high economic viability while ensuring animal welfare. To secure the Swedish meat production financial compensation will be needed for higher welfare. The market for locally produced products might be limited as it doesn't involve all kind of customers.

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