A total of 40 gilts (initial BW 9.4 ± 0.9 kg) were used in three experiments (Exp) to evaluate the impact of disease induced either by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) on the measures…
Investigation of the impact of increased dietary insoluble fiber through the feeding of dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS) on the colonic microbiota of pigs with and without Brachyspira-associated colitis
The diversion of an increasing portion of the U.S. corn crop to ethanol production has resulted in increased feed costs for pork producers. To mitigate this trend, many pork producers have increased their use of ethanol byproducts in commercial diets…
Understanding the effects of increased fiber from corn origin on the supply of energy and nutrients to the pig
Objective: An experiment was conducted, using the ileal-cannulated animal model, to determine the nutrient value of fiber from corn and its co-products, and the effect of its increase in the diet on the pig’s ability to digest and utilize both…
Development of a Nutrition × Health Interaction Model to Study Nursery Pig Performance
The goal of this research project was to use Porcine Circovirus 2 (PCV2) challenge model as an approach to study the interaction of nutrition and disease (e.g., PRRS, mycoplasma pneumonia, salmonella, etc.). A total of 96 weaned barrows (age 27…
Effects of pelleting and extrusion on energy and nutrient digestibility in diets fed to pigs
The objective of the present work was to determine if extrusion, pelleting or the combination of extrusion and pelleting has the ability to improve the digestibility of energy and nutrients in diets fed to pigs. The second objective was to…
Evaluating Moderate to Severe Feed Processes in Light of Increasing Use of Wheat in Swine Diets
The overriding objective of this research was to improve the industry-wide lack of knowledge of how wheat particle size and pelleting of complete diets containing wheat for nursery and finishing pigs can improve performance and economic return for swine producers. …
The effect of regrinding major feed ingredients to improve pellet quality, pig performance and producer profitability
Industry Summary: Pelleting swine diets is a technology that is widely used in southeastern U.S. feed mills and gaining popularity in the Midwest. Yet, limited research has explored methods to improve pellet quality and subsequent pig performance. Therefore, two experiments…
The effects of disease challenge (PRRS) on pig growth and metabolic pathways
While significant advances have been made through research efforts to enhance the health, productivity, and well-being of swine, the detrimental effects associated with disease outbreaks remains a significant challenge to the U.S. pork industry. Therefore, the goal of this research…
The effects of PRRSV infection in commercial pigs on growth performance, energy and nutrient digestibility
The research herein is an extension of the PRRS Host Genetics Consortium (PHGC), which is a national effort to identify genomic markers and host response pathways in response to PRRSV infection. The typical trial includes 200 pigs that are followed…
A longitudinal assessment of the impact PRRSV has on grow-finisher pig tissue accretion and digestibility in commercial production
This research examined the impact PRRSV infection had on grow-finisher gilt performance, apparent total tract digestibility and tissue accretion rates. Thirty littermate pairs of Choice Genetic maternal line gilts were split between two modified commercial swine finisher barns at six…