Effect of Nonstarch Polysaccharide-Rich By-Product Diets on Nitrogen Excretion and Nitrogen Losses from Slurry of Growing-Finishing Pigs

Canh, T.T.,Verstegen, M.W.A.,Mui, N.B.,Aarnink, A.J.A.,Schrama, J.W.,Van't Klooster, C.E.,Duong, N.K. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1999 Animal Bioscience Vol.12 No.4

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of diet for growing-finishing pigs with high level of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) from by-products on nitrogen excretion and nitrogen losses from slurry during storage. Sixteen commercial crossbred barrows of about 68 kg BW were randomly allotted to one of four diets. The control diet was formulated using tapioca and rice as basal energy sources. In the other diets, tapioca was replaced by either coconut expellar, rice bran or beer by-product. The diets differed mainly in the amount and compostition of NSP. After a 12-day adaptation period, urine and faeces were collected separately in metabolism cages for 9 days. Urine and faeces from the first four days were used to analyse the nitrogen partitioning. Urine and faeces from the last 5 days were mixed as slurry. The slurry was sampled at the end of the collection period and again after 30 days storage, to analyse for nitrogen to calculate the losses. Increasing dietary NSP reduced urinary nitrogen and nitrogen losses from the slurry during storage. The pigs fed the diet based on beer by-product excreted the most nitrogen via faeces and the least nitrogen via urine. Nitrogen losses from slurry of pigs fed the beer by-product were from 34 to 65% lower than from the other three diets. It is concluded that including NSP-rich by-products in the diet of growing-finishing pigs reduces urinary nitrogen excretion and nitrogen losses from slurry during storage.

The Nutritive Value of Mulberry Leaves (Morus alba) and Partial Replacement of Cotton Seed in Rations on the Performance of Growing Vietnamese Cattle

Vu, Chi Cuong,Verstegen, M.W.A.,Hendriks, W.H.,Pham, K.C. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2011 Animal Bioscience Vol.24 No.9

The in vivo digestibility of mulberry leaves (Morus alba) and the effects of the partial replacement of cotton seed with fresh mulberry leaf in rations on the performance of growing Vietnamese cattle was investigated. For the in vivo digestibility trial, twenty castrated rams of Phanrang breed (a local prolific breed) with an initial weight of 23-25 kg, were first assigned to four groups according to weight and then randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments to determine digestibility of nutrients in mulberry leaves (M. alba), natural Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and buffalo grass (Panicum maximum cv. TD 58). All forages were cut and chopped daily before being offered (at 120% maintenance) to the sheep. In the feeding trial, 20 Laisind (Vietnam yellow cows${\times}$Red Sindhy bulls) crossbred bulls averaged 18 month old and 184 kg were used to investigate the effect of partial replacement of cottonseed in the diet by mulberry leaves on live weight gain and feed conversion rate. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with four levels of fresh mulberry leaves which varied from 0 to 15% of total dietary dry mater and five animals per treatment over an 84 day period. The in vivo digestion trial showed the superior quality of mulberry leaves compared with the grasses. Chemical analysis indicated that mulberry leaves had the highest CP and the lowest NDF contents (22.3 and 31.1% DM, respectively) among the four forages tested. Digestibility of DM and OM of the mulberry leaf (66.4 and 71.8%, respectively) was also the highest but that of CP (58.2%) and NDF (58.4%) was the lowest of the four forages evaluated (p<0.05). Consequently, the ME value and therefore net energy (NE) and unit feed for lactation (UFL) values of the mulberry leaves, which was estimated from chemical composition and digestibility values, were the highest among the forages investigated in the present study. Results of the feeding trial showed no treatment effect on average daily gain (ADG) of the cattle. The values were 554, 583, 565 and 568 g/d for animals in the diets of 0, 5, 10, and 15% mulberry leaves inclusion, respectively. Total DM intake of the animal was not affected by the treatment when expressed as kg/animal/d. However, when adjusted for metabolic weight of the animal the DM intake was reduced (p<0.05) as whole cottonseed was replaced by mulberry leaves in the ration. When the level of mulberry leaves in the ration increased from 5 to 15% of dietary DM at the expense of whole cottonseed, CP and ME intakes of the cattle were significantly decreased (p<0.05) and the feed to gain ratio reduced by 8 to 14% as compared with the control diet (p<0.05). Mulberry leaf is a good feed ingredient for ruminants because of its high level of crude protein and high digestibility of nutrients and energy. Mulberry leaves can be efficiently used as a source of protein supplement to replace cottonseed, a more expensive animal feeds ingredient, in the diet for Vietnamese cattle.

Ensiled and Dry Cassava Leaves, and Sweet Potato Vines as a Protein Source in Diets for Growing Vietnamese Large White×Mong Cai Pigs

Ly, Nguyen T.H.,Ngoan, Le.D.,Verstegen, Martin W.A.,Hendriks, Wouter H. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2010 Animal Bioscience Vol.23 No.9

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of replacing 70% of the protein from fish meal by protein from ensiled or dry cassava leaves and sweet potato vines on the performance and carcass characters of growing F1 (Large White${\times}$Mong Cai) pigs in Central Vietnam. Twenty-five crossbred pigs (Large White${\times}$Mong Cai) with an initial weight of 19.7 kg (SD = 0.84) were allocated randomly to five treatment groups with 5 animals per group (3 males and 2 females). Pigs were kept individually in pens ($2.0{\times}0.8\;m$) and fed one of five diets over 90 days. The control diet was formulated with fish meal (FM) as the protein source while the other four diets were formulated by replacing 70% of fish meal protein by protein from ensiled cassava leaves (ECL), dry cassava leaves (DCL), dry sweet potato vines (DSPV) or ensiled sweet potato vines (ESPV). Animals were fed their diets at 4% of BW. Results showed that final BW, ADG, DMI and feed conversion ratio (FCR) among the experimental treatments were not significantly different (p>0.05). ECL or DCL and ESPV reduced feed cost per unit gain by 8-17.5% compared to the fish meal diet. There were no significant differences in carcass characters among the diets (p>0.05). Lean meat percentages and protein deposition ranged 41.5-45.8% and 40.2-52.9 g/d, respectively. Using ensiled or dry cassava leaves and sweet potato vine can replace at least 70% of the protein from fish meal (or 35% of total diet CP) without significant effects on performance and carcass traits of growing (20-65 kg) pigs. Including cassava leaves and sweet potato vines could improve feed cost and therefore has economic benefits.

Inclusion of Ensiled Cassava KM94 Leaves in Diets for Growing Pigs in Vietnam Reduces Growth Rate but Increases Profitability

Ly, Nguyen T.H.,Ngoan, Le D.,Verstegen, Martin W.A.,Hendriks, Wouter H. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2011 Animal Bioscience Vol.24 No.8

This study was conducted to determine the effect of the inclusion of different levels of ensiled cassava leaves (variety KM94) in the diets on performance and carcass characteristics of growing pigs in Vietnam. A total of 40 crossbreds pigs (Large White${\times}$Mong Cai, 20 males and 20 females) with an initial live weight of 23.5 kg (SD = 0.86) were randomly allocated to one of the four pens across 5 units. Four experimental diets were formulated for two growth periods, period 1 (60 days) for 20 to 50 kg and period 2 lasted 30 days, from 50 kg until slaughter. Four diets were formulated containing inclusion levels of ensiled cassava KM94 leaves diet of 0, 10, 15 and 20% in the DM. Diets were formulated based on previously determined ileal amino acid digestibility values of the KM94 products and were isonitrogenous and isocaloric on a metabolizable energy basis. Each pen of pigs was randomly assigned to one of the four dietary treatments. Dry matter intake and final weight tended to decreased with increasing levels of ensiled cassava KM94 leaves in the diet while there was a significant (p = 0.022) decrease in average daily gain. Protein depositions of the F1 pigs tended (p = 0.093) to decrease with increasing inclusion levels of ensiled cassava KM94 leaves. There was no significant difference in feed conversion ratio, carcass quality and fat gain between the groups of pigs. There were clear differences in feed costs among the experimental diets (p = 0.001) with increasing levels of ensiled cassava KM 94 leaves in the diet reducing feed costs. It was concluded that, in diets for growing pig, inclusion of ensiled cassava leaves reduces growth rate of pigs in Vietnam but increases profitability as measured by feed costs.

Nutritional Constraints and Possibilities for Pig Production on Smallholders Farms in Central Vietnam

Tu, Pham Khanh,Hoang, Nghia Duyet,Le Duc, Ngoan,Hendriks, W.H.,Verstegen, M.W.A. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2010 Animal Bioscience Vol.23 No.2

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional situation of pigs kept in three ecological zones of central Vietnam: Upland, Lowland and Coastal Area. An interview-based questionnaire was made and surveys were conducted in 27 villages and data were collected from 1,200 participating households. The current study showed that amounts of feed and crude protein content in the diets for fattening pigs and sows are deficient for all three regions. Amounts of feed as DM (kg/d) fed to growing pigs of 20-50 kg BW was deficient by 0.54 kg (29%) in Lowland, 0.53 kg (28.6%) in the Coastal area and 0.42 kg (22.4%) in Upland. The deficiency in CP in the diets of growing pigs in this period (20-50 kg) was largest at 20.7 g/d (62.1%) in Lowland, following by 22.1 g/d (66.4%) in Coastal and 23.2 g/d (69.7%) in Upland. Amount of feed as DM (kg/d) fed to growing pigs of 50-90 kg BW had a deficiency of 1.26 (48.9%), 1.25 (51.2%) and 1.14 (51.5%) kg/d in Lowland, Coastal and Upland, respectively. The deficiencies in crude protein in the growing diet during this period in Lowland, Coastal and Upland regions were 27 g/d (68.3%), 29 g/d (71.9%) and 30 g/d (74.6%), respectively. The deficiency in DM intake (kg/d) of pregnant sows in the Lowland area was 0.3 kg (15%), 0.33 kg (16%) in the Coastal area and 0.47 kg (23.5%) in the Upland area. Crude protein content in the diet of pregnant sows raised in Lowland was 8 g/d (32.0%) deficient, in the Coastal region the deficiency was 11 g/d (42.7%) and in Upland this deficiency was 15 g/d (61.2%). The deficiency in DM intake (kg/d) of lactating sows raised in Lowland was 1.47 kg (31.1%), in the Coastal area this was 1.69 kg (39.2%) and in Upland it was most deficient at 2.46 kg (57.1%). The lack of crude protein content in the diets of sows raised in Lowland was 45 g/d (63.4%), in the Coastal region it was 46 g/d (65%), and in Upland it was 55 g/d (78.9%). The low input of feed in these areas is especially due to low quality and to the insufficient intake of nutrients by the pig. As a result, production and income of farmers are low.

Differences in Microbial Activities of Faeces from Weaned and Unweaned Pigs in Relation to In vitro Fermentation of Different Sources of Inulin-type Oligofructose and Pig Feed Ingredients

Shim, S.B.,Verdonk, J.M.A.J.,Pellikaan, W.F.,Verstegen, W.A. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2007 Animal Bioscience Vol.20 No.9

An in vitro experiment was conducted to evaluate the differences in microbial activity of five faecal inocula from weaned pigs and one faecal inoculum from unweaned pigs in combination with 6 substrates. The substrates tested were negative control diet, corn, soybean meal, oligofructose (OF), ground chicory roots and a mixture (60% chicory pulp and 40% OF). The inocula used were derived from pigs fed either a corn-soy based diet without antibiotics (NCON), the NCON diet supplemented with oligofructose (OF), a mixture of chicory pulp (40%) and OF (60%) (MIX), ground chicory roots (CHR) or the NCON diet supplemented with antibiotics (PCON). The cumulative gas production measured fermentation kinetics and end products, such as total gas production, ammonia and volatile fatty acids, were also determined. Both the substrate and the inoculum significantly affected the fermentation characteristics. The cumulative gas production curve showed that different substrates caused more differences in traits of fermentation kinetics than the different inocula. Inocula of weaned pigs gave a significantly higher VFA production compared to the inoculum from unweaned animals, whilst the rate of fermentation and the total gas produced did not differ. OF showed the highest fermentation kinetics and the lowest $NH_3$, pH and OM loss compared to other substrates. It was concluded that the microbial activity was significantly affected by substrate and inoculum. Inoculum from weaned pigs had more potential for microbial fermentation of the carbohydrate ingredients and oligofructose than that of unweaned pigs. A combination of high and low polymer inulin may be more beneficial to the gut ecosystem than using high- or low-polymer inulin alone.

Effect of Genotype and Dietary Protein Level on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Fattening Pigs in Central Vietnam

Pham, Khanh Tu,Hoang, Nghia Duyet,Le Duc, Ngoan,Hendriks, W.H.,Van Der Peet-Schwering, C.M.C.,Verstegen, M.W.A. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2010 Animal Bioscience Vol.23 No.8

This study aimed to determine the optimum dietary crude protein level in a typical diet for fattening pigs fed ad libitum under normal climate conditions in Central Vietnam. One hundred and ninety two gilts of Mong Cai local breed (MC), $F_1$ Large White${\times}$Mong Cai and $F_2$ crossbreds of (Landrace${\times}$Mong Cai)${\times}$Large White were used. At the start of the experiment, Mong Cai pigs weighed 12 kg at 11 weeks of age, $F_1$ pigs 12.1 kg at 8 weeks of age and $F_2$ pigs 12.2 kg at 8 weeks of age. Four diets differing in crude protein (CP) content (10.1, 13.1, 16.1 and 18.9% in DM) were formulated from rice bran, corn meal, cassava meal and fish meal. Calculated digestible energy content of the diets ranged from 13.5 to 13.8 MJ per kg DM. Pigs were housed individually in pens of $2.5\;m^2$ each and had ad libitum access to feed in a trough as well as water in bowls. The final weights after a growing period of 150 days were 66, 86 and 96 kg for MC, $F_1$ and $F_2$, respectively. Feed intake of MC pigs was highest at 13.1% CP while $F_1$ and $F_2$ had the highest feed intake at 16.1% CP. The results showed that for MC the maximum gain was obtained at levels between 13 to 16% CP. For the $F_1$ the maximum gain was at dietary protein levels of 16-17%. For $F_2$ the max gain was obtained at CP levels of 16 to 18%. Feed conversion was highest in MC pigs (~4.0) followed by $F_1$ (~3.3) and $F_2$ (~3.1), and within genotypes was lowest at the optimum CP level (p<0.05). Back fat thickness in MC (33.1 mm), $F_1$ (23.0 mm) and $F_2$ (20.5 mm) pigs was different and within genotypes was the lowest at intermediate CP levels. In conclusion, increasing the dietary crude protein contents in practical diets for pigs in Vietnam can increase production on small holder farms. Optimal performance for MC, $F_1$ and $F_2$ pigs is achieved at different dietary crude protein contents.

The Effects of Chinese and Argentine Soybeans on Nutrient Digestibility and Organ Morphology in Landrace and Chinese Min Pigs

Qin, G.X.,Xu, L.M.,Jiang, H.L.,van der Poel, A.F.B.,Bosch, M.W.,Verstegen, M.W.A. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2002 Animal Bioscience Vol.15 No.4

Twenty Landrace and twenty Min piglets, with an average initial body weight of 22.4 kg, were randomly divided into 5 groups with 4 animals per group, within each of the breeds. The piglets were housed in individual concrete pens. Each group of the piglets was fed one of 5 diets. The diets contained either 20% raw Argentine soybeans, 20% processed Argentine soybeans ($118^{\circ}C$ for 7.5 min.), 20% raw Chinese soybeans, 20% processed Chinese soybeans ($118^{\circ}C$ for 7.5 min.) or no soybean products (control diet). Faecal samples were collected on days 6, 7 and 8 of the treatment period. Digestibilities of dietary nutrients were determined with AIA (acid insoluble ash) as a marker. After a 17 day treatment, three piglets were killed from each of the groups. Tissue samples of small and large intestine for light and electron microscopy examination were taken immediately after the opening of abdomen. Then, the weight or size of relevant organs was measured. The results show that the digestibilities of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and fat were higher in Min piglets than in Landrace piglets (p<0.05). The diets containing processed soybeans had a significant higher CP digestibility than the control diet and the diets containing raw soybeans (p<0.05). Landrace piglets had heavier and longer small intestines, heavier kidneys and a lighter spleen than Min piglets (p<0.05). The pancreas of the animals fed the diets containing processed soybeans was heavier than that of the animals fed control diet (p<0.05) and the diets containing raw soybeans. But, the differences between raw and processed soybean diets were not significant. A significant interaction (p<0.05) between diet and pig breed was observed in weight of the small intestine. The Landrace piglets increased the weight in their small intestine when they were fed the diets containing soybeans. In the light micrographs and electron scanning micrographs, it was found that the villi of small intestinal epithelium of animals (especially Landrace piglets) fed the diets containing raw Chinese soybeans were seriously damaged. The transmission electron micrograph showed that a lot of vesicles were located between the small intestinal microvilli of these piglets. The histological examination also indicated that the proportion of goblet cells in villi and crypts in the piglets consuming the control diet was significantly lower (p<0.01 and p<0.02, respectively) than those of the animals consuming the diets containing raw or processed soybeans.

Effect of Dietary Lysine Supplement on the Performance of Mong Cai Sows and Their Piglets

Tu, Pham Khanh,Le Duc, Ngoan,Hendriks, W.H.,van der Peet-Schwering, C.M.C.,Verstegen, M.W.A. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2010 Animal Bioscience Vol.23 No.3

The objective of this study was to determine optimal lysine requirement of lactating Mong Cai sows and their piglets. An experiment was conducted using 30 Mong Cai sows in a factorial randomized design with 5 dietary total lysine levels (0.60, 0.70, 0.85, 1.0 and 1.15%) for one-week pre-partum and 5 dietary total lysine levels (0.60, 0.75, 0.90, 1.05 and 1.2%) for lactation diets. Mong Cai sows were about 1 to 2 years old and had an initial body weight of 120 kg (sd = 2.5) after farrowing. Sows were restrictively fed 1.7 kg feed during gestation and were fed ad libitum during lactation. Diets of sows contained about 12% CP during pregnancy and about 14% CP for the lactation period. DE concentration of the diets ranged between 12.5-13.0 MJ of DE. Water was supplied at up to 8 liters per sow per day in a basin. Studied traits were related to both sows and their progeny. Sows were weighed at 107 days of gestation, after farrowing and at weaning. Sow back-fat depth was measured at 110 days of gestation, after farrowing, at 21 days of lactation and at weaning. Number of piglets born, at 24 h after birth, at 21 days of age and at weaning were recorded. Piglets were weighte at birth, at 21 days and at weaning. Supplying lysine one week pre-partum had no effect on the number of piglets born nor litter weight at birth (p = 0.776 and p = 0.224). A positive effect of increasing dietary lysine level during lactation from 0.60 to 1.20% was observed with regard to less sow weight loss, and increased piglet weight at 21 days and at weaning. The level of lysine that resulted in the lowest sow backfat loss and the highest weaned piglet weight was 1.05%; this may be the optimum level of lysine for the diet of lactating Mong Cai sows. At this lysine level, the number of weaned piglets was also highest.

Nutritional Quality and Variation of Meat and Bone Meal

Hendriks, W.H.,Butts, C.A.,Thomas, D.V.,James, K.A.C.,Morel, P.C.A.,Verstegen, M.W.A. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2002 Animal Bioscience Vol.15 No.10

Meat and bone meal is a valuable protein and mineral source in diets of production animals and contributes to the protein, energy and mineral component of diets. The aim of the present study was to more accurately characterise the apparent ileal amino acid digestibility of meat and bone meals produced in New Zealand and evaluate routine in vitro assays used in practise to measure meat and bone meal quality. A total of 94 commercial meat and bone meals from 25 New Zealand rendering plants over a two and a half year period were analysed for proximates, gross energy, gross amino acid content (incl. hydroxyproline, hydroxylysine and lanthionine), apparent ileal amino acid digestibility, pepsin nitrogen digestibility, protein solubility and bone content. The mean crude protein content of the 94 meat and bone meal samples was 56.8% with a range of >35% units and a coefficient of variation of 9.8%. The mean crude fat and ash content were 10.0 and 28.4% respectively. These latter components showed a large range (16 and 43%, respectively) with coefficients of variation above 22%. Amino acid digestibility between samples was highly variable with lysine and sulphur amino acids digestibility ranging between 45.8-89.0 and 38.2-85.5%, respectively. Pearson correlation coefficients are presented between crude protein content and individual gross amino acids, crude protein content and individual digestible amino acid content, and pepsin N digestibility and individual digestible amino acid content. There was a significant relationship between the digestible amino acid nitrogen content and the crude protein content while pepsin nitrogen digestibility was not correlated to ileal amino acid nitrogen digestibility (r=-0.06). Meat meals with a high protein content had relatively low hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine levels something that was attributed to the levels of collagen from bone. The data indicated that lanthionine (formed upon heat treatment of cysteine with a hydroprotein) is not a good indicator of the heat treatment employed to meat and bone meals. Step-wise multiple regression equations to predict the apparent digestible content of amino acids from rapid in vitro assays are presented. The most selected variables included ash and crude fat content. In general the equations derived for the essential amino acids had a higher degrees of fit (R2) compared to the non-essential amino acids. The R2 for the essential amino acids ranged from 0.43 for histidine and 0.68 for leucine. These equations provide a means of more rapidly estimating the apparent ileal digestible amino acid content (protein quality) of meat and bone meal using standard analyses.