Since no effect on CP and diet type on the optimal Trp-to-Lys ratio (TLR) was found in two previous experiments, two extra experiments were planned. In the first one, piglets were fed a Lys-deficient basal diet supplemented with crystalline Lys (to create graded levels of SID Lys). GFR and PUN were measured every 5-d for 15-d; and were analyzed using the broken-line analysis to determine the Lys requirement. As SID Lys level increased, GFR increased linearly and PUN decreased linearly. The SID Lys requirement for was estimated to be 1.02%. To determine the optimal TLR, pigs were fed Trp-deficient basal diet supplemented with crystalline Trp (to create graded levels of SID TLR). Most of the parameters evaluated failed (P > 0.10) to yield an estimate. Based on the evidence we suggest that the optimal SID TLR for early-weaned pigs fed a wheat-barley diet lies below 17.75%.

Since no effect on CP and diet type on the optimal Trp-to-Lys ratio (TLR) was found in two previous experiments, two extra experiments were planned. In the first one, piglets were fed a Lys-deficient basal diet supplemented with crystalline Lys (to create graded levels of SID Lys). GFR and PUN were measured every 5-d for 15-d; and were analyzed using the broken-line analysis to determine the Lys requirement. As SID Lys level increased, GFR increased linearly and PUN decreased linearly. The SID Lys requirement for was estimated to be 1.02%. To determine the optimal TLR, pigs were fed Trp-deficient basal diet supplemented with crystalline Trp (to create graded levels of SID TLR). Most of the parameters evaluated failed (P > 0.10) to yield an estimate. Based on the evidence we suggest that the optimal SID TLR for early-weaned pigs fed a wheat-barley diet lies below 17.75%.

Experiments were conducted to determine the optimal conditions for tail-end dehulling of canola meal (CM) and the production of high-protein, high-energy and low-fiber CM. The use of sieves from 250-600µm resulted in the production of dehulled fractions 1 and 2 from three different types of CM. On average, and in comparison with their parent meals, the dehulled fractions 1 and 2 contained less dietary fiber (19.4 and 22.9 vs. 27.5%) and more protein (44.5 and 43.1 vs. 40.1%), respectively. Growth performance experiments were conducted with broiler chickens and weaned piglets fed diets containing dehulled CM fractions. In the broiler chicken trial, no significant differences for feed intake, BWG and feed efficiency were observed, indicating that CM and its low-fiber fractions could replace SBM in the broiler pre-starter diets at a lower cost. In the swine experiment, a beneficial effect of dehulling on final body weight and feed efficiency was observed.

Post-weaning diarrhea is a major health challenge in the swine industry and is routinely managed by fortifying pig starter diets with antimicrobials. But there are concerns about antibiotic resistance, hence the need for identifying effective alternatives. The use of spray-dried whole egg powder containing anti-F4 antibodies (SDWE) against recombinant F4 antigens and chitosan oligosaccharide and Enterococcus fecalis probiotic combination (CPRO) was investigated in two trials using enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88+ (ETEC) oral challenge model in 21-d-old piglets. Pre-challenge, SDWE supported higher (P < 0.05) piglet performance whereas during the post-challenge period, SDWE and CPRO had no effect on growth performance but diarrhea incidences and severity were reduced (P > 0.05) in SDWE-fed piglets compared to the control. The results show that SDWE supported greater piglet performance pre-ETEC challenge although there was no benefit of SDWE or CPRO supplementation evident during the post-challenge period in early-weaned pigs. / October 2015

A major challenge for the pig industry is to formulate starter diets that primarily fit the digestive capacity, maintain GIT health and promote growth without recourse to in-feed antimicrobials. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of carbohydrase enzymes (CE) targeting non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) in enhancing gut health and function in piglets. First, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of adding CE in piglet diets on growth performance, GIT bacterial activity and nutrient digestibility. Pigs fed diets containing CE had a higher ileal lactobacilli count, total organic acids concentrations, NSP digestibility and low ammonia compared with control. The effectiveness of CE targeting NSP was further evaluated using enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) in a challenge model to evaluate the impact on gut health and function. Two approaches for the ETEC challenge were adopted; an in situ small intestine segments perfusion model and an in vivo model. Initially, a pilot study was conducted to establish and validate the in situ model. In the pilot study, conventional anti-diarrhea agents; fumaric acid, ZnO, egg yolk antibodies against ETEC K88 fimbriae and carbadox, attenuated fluid losses in ETEC-infected jejunal segments. Following the establishment of the in situ model, four experiments were conducted to study the effects NSP hydrolysis products (HP) from various feedstuffs (i.e. wheat, soybean meal, canola meal and flaxseed) on ETEC-induced secretory diarrhea. The results demonstrated that HP protected against ETEC-induced fluid and electrolyte losses. A further study was conducted to investigate the response of piglets fed diets containing HP and EYA singly or in combination upon oral challenge with ETEC. Feeding HP and EYA alone or in combination attenuated ETEC-enteritis symptoms such that piglets fed additives showed less pronounced acute phase responses and superior performance. Piglets fed diets containing additives had lower gastric pH, fewer ETEC adhered to ileal mucosa and lower incidence of diarrhea. Overall, reduction of intestinal pathogens or toxic bacterial metabolites contributes to enhanced GIT health and function. These novel results expand the scope of enzyme technology in animal nutrition within the new paradigm of dietary approaches to gut health and function.

A major challenge for the pig industry is to formulate starter diets that primarily fit the digestive capacity, maintain GIT health and promote growth without recourse to in-feed antimicrobials. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of carbohydrase enzymes (CE) targeting non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) in enhancing gut health and function in piglets. First, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of adding CE in piglet diets on growth performance, GIT bacterial activity and nutrient digestibility. Pigs fed diets containing CE had a higher ileal lactobacilli count, total organic acids concentrations, NSP digestibility and low ammonia compared with control. The effectiveness of CE targeting NSP was further evaluated using enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) in a challenge model to evaluate the impact on gut health and function. Two approaches for the ETEC challenge were adopted; an in situ small intestine segments perfusion model and an in vivo model. Initially, a pilot study was conducted to establish and validate the in situ model. In the pilot study, conventional anti-diarrhea agents; fumaric acid, ZnO, egg yolk antibodies against ETEC K88 fimbriae and carbadox, attenuated fluid losses in ETEC-infected jejunal segments. Following the establishment of the in situ model, four experiments were conducted to study the effects NSP hydrolysis products (HP) from various feedstuffs (i.e. wheat, soybean meal, canola meal and flaxseed) on ETEC-induced secretory diarrhea. The results demonstrated that HP protected against ETEC-induced fluid and electrolyte losses. A further study was conducted to investigate the response of piglets fed diets containing HP and EYA singly or in combination upon oral challenge with ETEC. Feeding HP and EYA alone or in combination attenuated ETEC-enteritis symptoms such that piglets fed additives showed less pronounced acute phase responses and superior performance. Piglets fed diets containing additives had lower gastric pH, fewer ETEC adhered to ileal mucosa and lower incidence of diarrhea. Overall, reduction of intestinal pathogens or toxic bacterial metabolites contributes to enhanced GIT health and function. These novel results expand the scope of enzyme technology in animal nutrition within the new paradigm of dietary approaches to gut health and function.

Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Michael D. Tokach / Lone Tree Farms, Inc. is a diversified agricultural enterprise located in Harrisonville, Missouri. Since operations began in 1962, the hog operation has been expanded to the present size of a 2500 sow farrow-to-wean operation. The results of the thesis research lead Lone Tree Farms believes that there are economic and efficiency reasons behind adding to the existing farrow-to-wean operation with a 2500 sow farrow-to-wean operation. The thesis confirms and reveals several points. First, the project takes between 9 months and a year to complete. Some of the inputs required are eight more personnel and an additional 90,000 bushel of feed grain per operating year. Approximately 3,000 gilts are utilized to stock the project and building costs of approximately $3.5 million dollars will be accrued. The total costs of developing the project will be approximately $4.25 to 4.5 million dollars before the first pig is sold (2007 US Dollars). Many risk factors affect the outcome of the project, including risk of high grain prices due to ethanol, labor needs, environmental issues, and manure utilization needs of the project. The spreadsheet model that was developed as part of this thesis reveals that low productivity of the sow herd is the greatest risk factor for the success of the project. Reducing pigs weaned per sow from 11.0 to 8.5 would lower projected return on equity from 32.7. to 7.6% and increase the cost to produce a weaned pig by $8.72/pig. A major change in both corn (over $2.50/bu) and soybean meal (over $200/ton) price would be required for feed cost to have a similar impact on the cost to produce a weaned pig. The start-up and initial production year pose the greatest challenges and risks. After that, production flows should reach more consistency and effectively lower the risk. The initial start-up capitalization of approximately 30% reduces exposure and liquidity risks. The timing of the project should be made when both input expenses and output prices (pig price) are able to be managed. Combined with good management which maximizes pigs/sow weaned, the project stands a very good chance of being considered successful.

FundaÃÃo de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Cearà / O ensaio foi realizado no Setor de Suinocultura do Centro de CiÃncias AgrÃrias do Departamento de Zootecnia da Universidade Federal do CearÃ, com o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho zootÃcnico, os indicadores do metabolismo do nitrogÃnio, o bem-estar animal e o custo de produÃÃo de leitÃes no prÃodo de creche, submetidos a dietas à base de sorgo-soja enriquecidas com caseÃna + lactose isoladas. O experimento teve a duraÃÃo de 42 dias, sendo dividido em duas fases experimentais, a saber: fase 1(21-42 dias) e fase 2 (42 a 63 dias). Foram utilizados 40 animais de linhagem comercial, desmamados com idade aproximada de 21 dias, apresentando um peso mÃdio de 4,76kg. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos ao acaso, com 4 tratamentos e 5 repetiÃÃes, apresentando 2 animais por repetiÃÃo. Foi realizado um desdobramento fatorial 2X2, sendo 2 cereais energÃticos (milho e sorgo) e 2 suplementos lÃcteos (leite desnatado em pà e caseÃna + lactose). A comparaÃÃo entre as mÃdias foi realizada pelo teste de Duncan a 5%. As dietas experimentais foram isoenergÃticas, isoprotÃicas e isonutrientes para lisina e met+cis. Na fase 1 foi utilizado 21 % de PB e 3350 kcal de EM &#8260; kg. e na fase 2, 18,5 % de PB e 3250kcal de EM &#8260; kg. As dietas experimentais foram em nÃmero de 4 por fase, da seguinte forma: T1 (milho +LDP), T2 (milho+caseÃna +lactose), T3 (sorgo+LDP) e T4 (sorgo+caseÃna+lactose). Foi concluÃdo que a substituiÃÃo do milho pelo sorgo granÃfero e a inclusÃo da lactose + caseÃna à viÃvel quanto ao desempenho zootÃcnico. A utilizaÃÃo do sorgo e da caseÃna+lactose nas dietas para leitÃes desmamados nÃo ocasionou diferenÃas significativas para os indicadores do metabolismo do nitrogÃnio nas duas fases experimentais. Os tratamentos nÃo influenciaram os indicadores do bem-estar animal. NÃo foram registradas interaÃÃes significativas (P>0,05) entre os alimentos energÃticos e os alimentos lÃcteos, nas fases 1 e 2 do perÃodo de creche, para o desempenho zootÃcnico e para os indicadores do bem-estar animal. A melhor resposta econÃmica para a produÃÃo de leitÃes no perÃodo de creche foi obtida com a dieta contendo sorgo + caseÃna +lactose (T4). / The research was developed in the Division of Swine Pro duction, Department of Animal Science, Agricultural Science Center, Federal Un iversity of CearÃ, with the objective of evaluating the animal performance, the occurrence diarrhea, the nitrogen metabolism indicators, animal well-being, and the production cost of piglets submitted to diets containing sorghum-soybean me al and isolated casein+lactose. The assay had the duration of 42 days and it was divided in two phases: 1 (21-42 days of age) and 2 (42-63 days of age ) during the nursery period. The experiment used a total of 40 piglets of a commercial line, weaned at 21 days of age (average weight of 4,76 kg). The exper iment followed a randomized blocks design, with 4 treatments, 5 repetitio ns and 2 animals per repetition, unfolded in a factorial 2 x 2 design, comp osed by two energetic feeds (corn and sorghum) and two milk products (dried skim milk a nd casein + lactose). Mean values were compared through the Duncan's tests 5 %. The diets were isoenergetics, isoproteics and isonutritives for lysine and methionine + cystine. In phase 1, a level of 21% crude protein (CP) and 3350 kcal ME was used and in phase 2, a level of 18,5 % crude protein (CP) and 32 50 kcal ME was used. The experimental diets were in number of 4 for phase: T 1 (corn+ dried skim milk), T 2 (corn + casein + lactose), T 3 (sorghum + dried skim milk) and T 4 (sorghum + casein + lactose). The use of sorghum and casein + lactose in weaned pig diets did not cause significant differences for nitrogen met abolism indicators, in both phases of assay. The treatments did not influence the w ell-being indicators. Related to animal performance and well-being no signi ficant interactions were registered (P>0,05) among the factors, during phases 1 a nd 2 of the nursery xxi period. The best economical answer for production of pi glets in the nursery period was obtained with the diet containing sorghum + casein + lactose (T4).