Life Sciences Commons^™

Lysine Requirement For Barrows Fed Ractopamine, Justin W. Bundy, Philip S. Miller, Roman Moreno, Thomas E. Burkey, Erin Hinkle, Huyen Tran

Nebraska Swine Reports

A total of 36 individually penned barrows (initial weight = 176 lb) were used in an experiment conducted to determine the lysine requirement for barrows fed ractopamine during the last 85 lb of the fi nishing phase. There were six dietary treatments that were corn-soybean meal-based with additional crystalline amino acid supplementation. Pigs were assigned to one of six dietary treatments for the duration of the experiment. Treatments included lysine concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 1.3% total lysine. Dietary treatment significantly affected average daily gain and feed efficiency. The total lysine requirement was estimated to be 0.76%. These results indicate …

Effect Of Dam Parity On Progeny Gastrointestinal Microbiota, Erin E. Hinkle, Huyen Tran, Justin W. Bundy, Roman Moreno, Matthew Anderson, Jeffrey Perkins, Duane Reese, Phillip Miller, Jens Walter, Thomas E. Burkey

Nebraska Swine Reports

Litter performance, progeny growth performance, and progeny health status may be affected by dam parity. The objective of the current experiment was to evaluate gastrointestinal microflora, as a measure of gut health, in progeny derived from first parity (P1) compared to fourth parity (P4) dams. Fecal samples were collected from the progeny (n = 6 pigs/litter) of P1 and P4 dams (n = 4 from each parity, P1 and P4) on days 1, 7, and 14 following parturition. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis was utilized to characterize gastrointestinal microbial populations and to calculate similarity and diversity indices. The similarity index represents …

Effect Of Dna Markers In Nebraska Selection Lines, Rodger Johnson

Nebraska Swine Reports

DNA from 57 generation-28 boars that had sired progeny in the NE selection and control lines was submitted to GeneSeek Inc., where genotypes for eight Single Nucleotide Polymorphic Markers (SNPs) affecting economic traits in pigs were determined. Three markers are reported to be associated with growth and composition of growth, three with meat quality, and two with number of live pigs per litter. Frequencies of marker alleles were estimated in two selection lines and in their respective controls to determine whether selection had increased the frequencies of alleles associated with increased performance. Relationships of boar marker genotype with growth, backfat, …

Production Through Four Parities Of Prolific Females Developed With And Without Energy Restriction, Rodger Johnson, Philip S. Miller, Roman Moreno, Matthew Anderson, Jeffrey Perkins, Donald Mcclure, Thomas Mcgargill, Arlan A. Kettelhake, James E. Spath

Nebraska Swine Reports

This experiment evaluated the effects of developing gilts with ad libitum access to feed to breeding age (226 days) or feed intake restriction from 123 to 226 days of age. Gilts were managed in groups of 10 per pen. Those in the restricted group were fed two meals per day so that energy intake was 75% of that of the ad libitum group. Protein, vitamins , and minerals in their diet were increased so that daily intake of these nutrients was not restricted. A total of 661 gilts of two genetic lines that differed in reproductive rate and in lean …

An Economic Analysis Of Energy Restriction During Pre-Pubescence In Gilts, Justin Cech, Darrell Mark, Rodger Johnson, Philip S. Miller

Nebraska Swine Reports

This report evaluates the economic costs of production and profits for energy-restricted and conventional gilt development programs. Production and performance data and input and output prices were used to construct enterprise budgets for both groups. Results indicate that restricting feed intake during gilt development lowered breakeven selling prices for market pigs by an average of $0.17/cwt for two prolific maternal lines through their first four parities.

Effects Of Crystalline Lactose On Expression Of Sodium-Dependent Glucose Transporter (Sglt)-1 Mrna, Huyen Tran, Philip S. Miller, Thomas E. Burkey

Nebraska Swine Reports

A preliminary experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of crystalline lactose on the relative abundance of sodium-dependent glucose transporter (SGLT)-1 mRNA in vitro in model porcine jejunal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2). Cells were treated with low (28 mM) or high (56 mM) concentrations of lactose alone or in combination with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 10 ng/mL). Total RNA and culture media samples from both apical and basolateral compartments were harvested at 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours following the addition of respective treatments. With respect to relative abundance of SGLT-1 mRNA, there were no interactions of lactose, LPS, and time; however, a …

Effects Of Lactose And Co-Dried Milk-Yeast On Growth Performance And Gastrointestinal Health Of Nursery Pigs, Huyen Tran, Justin W. Bundy, Erin Hinkle, Roman Moreno, Jens Walter, Thomas E. Burkey, Philip S. Miller

Nebraska Swine Reports

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary lactose alone or in combination with dried milk-yeast product on growth performance, gastrointestinal microbiota, and immune parameters in weanling pigs. Pigs fed lactose and lactose with milk-yeast tended (P = 0.07) to have greater BW compared to control pigs (19.56 and 19.60 vs. 18.55 lb) at the end of phase 1 (week 1 to 2); however, no differences in BW were observed during phase 2 (week 3 to 4), phase 3 (week 5), or overall (week 1 to 5). With respect to growth performance, pigs fed lactose and lactose plus …

Effects Of Distillers Dried Grains With Solubles And Lactose On Growth Performance Of Nursery Pigs, Huyen Tran, Roman Moreno, Justin W. Bundy, Erin Hinkle, Thomas E. Burkey, Philip S. Miller

Nebraska Swine Reports

A 4-week feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate effects of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and lactose on growth performance of nursery pigs. Ninety-six pigs (age, 23 + 2 days; initial body weight, 14.15 + 0.11 lb) were randomly allotted into each of 16 pens by gender, ancestry, and weight (6 pigs/pen; 4 pens/treatment). In phase 1 (weeks 1 and 2), pigs were fed 1 of the 4 treatments: A) control (no DDGS and lactose), B) 15% DDGS, C) 20% lactose, D) 15% DDGS + 20% lactose. In phase 2 (weeks 3 and 4), all pigs were fed a …

Utilizing Dried Distillers Grains With Solubles And Phytase To Alleviate Phosphorus Costs In Finishing Swine, Justin W. Bundy, Philip S. Miller, Roman Moreno, Thomas E. Burkey, Erin Hinkle, Huyen Tran

Nebraska Swine Reports

A total of 24 barrows (86.7 lb) were used over a 12-week experiment to evaluate the effects of utilizing dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) and phytase as alternatives to inorganic phosphorus (P) sources. Pigs were assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments. Treatments consisted of a common corn and soybean-meal fortified diet (CSB), a diet similar to CSB with phytase added in place of dicalcium-phosphate, a corn and soybean-meal diet with 20% DDGS, and a diet with 20% DDGS and phytase added in place of dicalcium-phosphate. Treatment did not affect (P > 0.10) pig performance for any of the growth …

The Effect Of Corn Distillers Dried Grains With Solubles (Ddgs) On Carcass Quality, Color Stability, And Sensory Characteristics Of Pork, Roman Moreno, Phillip Miller, Thomas E. Burkey, Steven J. Jones, Susan Cuppett, Timothy Carr, Tommi Jones, Ruth Diedrichsen

Nebraska Swine Reports

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding 0, 5, 10, or 15% distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) on carcass quality, color stability, and sensory characteristics of the longissimus muscle (LM) of finishing pigs. Two hundred forty pigs (61.7 lb) were assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments with varying concentrations of DDGS (0, 5, 10, and 15%). Live weight, hot carcass weight, and dressing percentage did not change in response to increased dietary DDGS (P = 0.491, 0.807, 0.316, respectively). After 7 days of retail display, yellowness changed due to DDGS inclusion (P = 0.016). No …

Effects Of Distillers Grains With Solubles (Ddgs) And Paylean® Supplementation On Carcass Quality, Color Stability, And Sensory Characteristics Of Pork, Roman Moreno, Philip S. Miller, Thomas E. Burkey, Steven J. Jones, Susan Cuppett, Timothy Carr, Tommi Jones, Ruth Diedrichsen

Nebraska Swine Reports

Forty pigs (66.6 lb) were used in a 14-week 4-phase regime study conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding varying concentrations of DDGS to growing-finishing pigs formulated on a standardized ileal digestibility (SID) lysine (lys) basis, DDGS withdrawal at the last feeding phase, and ractopamine (RAC) supplementation 4 weeks prior to harvesting on carcass quality, and color stability and sensory characteristics of longissimus muscle (LM) of finishing pigs. Treatments consisted in 0, 15, or 40% dietary DDGS inclusion supplemented with or without RAC (4.5 ppm) 4 weeks prior harvesting. Final body weight, hot carcass weight, and dressing percentage were not …

Explanation Of Statistics Used In This Report

Nebraska Swine Reports

Pigs treated alike vary in performance due to their different genetic makeup and to environmental effects we cannot completely control. When a group of pigs is randomly allotted to treatments it is nearly impossible to get an "equal" group of pigs on each treatment. The natural variability among pigs and the number of pigs per treatment determine the expected variation among treatment groups due to random sampling.

At the end of an experiment, the experimenter must decide whether observed treatment differences are due to "real' effects of the treatments or to random differences due to the sample of pigs assigned …

2010 Nebraska Swine Report

Nebraska Swine Reports

Contents:

Nutrition

Production Through Four Parities of Prolific Females Developed With and Without Energy Restriction

An Economic Analysis of Energy Restriction during Pre-Pubescence in Gilts

Effects of Distillers Grain with Solubles (DDGS) and Paylean® Supplementation on Carcass Quality, Color Stability, and Sensory Characteristics of Pork

The Effect of Corn Distillers Dried Grains With Solubles (DDGS) on Carcass Quality, Color Stability, and Sensory Characteristics of Pork

Utilizing Dried Distillers Grains With Solubles and Phytase to Alleviate Phosphorus Costs in Finishing Swine

Effects of Distillers Dried Grains With Solubles and Lactose on Growth Performance of Nursery Pigs

Lysine Requirement for Barrows Fed …

2009 Nebraska Swine Report

Nebraska Swine Reports

Contents:

Nutrition

Effect of Corn Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles (DDGS) on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Growing-Finishing Gilts with Previous Exposure to DDGS in the Nursery

Feeding Value of Diets for Growing-Finishing Pigs with Varying Concentrations of Corn Distillers Dried Grain with Solubles (DDGS)

Effects of Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) and Paylean® Supplementation on Growth Performance of Growing-Finishing Pigs

Economy of Adding Fibrous Feedstuffs to Sow Gestation Diets

Nutrition During Gilt Development and Genetic Line Affect Reproductive Rate Through Parity 1

In Vivo and In Vitro Expression of Porcine Zinc Transporter (ZnT) 1 mRNA

Health

Effect …

2009 Nebraska Swine Report

Nebraska Swine Reports

Nutrition
Effect of Corn Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles (DDGS) on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Growing-Finishing Gilts with Previous Exposure to DDGS in the Nursery
Feeding Value of Diets for Growing-Finishing Pigs with Varying Concentrations of Corn Distillers Dried Grain with Solubles (DDGS)
Effects of Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) and Payleans Supplementation on Growth Performance of Growing-Finishing Pigs
Economy of Adding Fibrous Feedstuffs to Sow Gestation Diets
Nutrition During Gilt Development and Genetic Line Affect Reproductive Rate Through Parity 1
In Vivo and In Vitro Expression of Porcine Zinc Transporter (ZnT) 1 mRNA

Health
Effect Of …

Effect Of Dam Parity On Growth Performance And Immunity Of Weaned Pigs, Erin E. Carney, Huyen Tran, Justin W. Bundy, Roman Moreno, Phillip S. Miller, Thomas E. Burkey

Nebraska Swine Reports

The growth performance of weaned pigs derived from different parities has not been previously evaluated; however, unpublished and anecdotal observations suggest that progeny derived from first parity (PI) dams have reduced health status and growth performance compared to progeny derived from mature sows (2 P2). The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effect of dam parity on growth performance and immune response of PI and P4 progeny during the nursery phase o fproduction. Results from this experiment suggest that P4 progeny have increased body weight and growth performance during the nursery phase of production compared to PI …

Effect Of Dam Parity On Litter Performance And Passive Immunity, Erin E. Carney, Huyen Tran, Justin W. Bundy, Roman Moreno, Matthew W. Anderson, Jeffrey M. Perkins, Phillip S. Miller, Thomas E. Burkey

Nebraska Swine Reports

Preliminary experiments (reported in the 2008 Nebraska Swine Report) suggest that progeny health status may be affected by dam parity. However, the preliminary experiments only included a small population of sows and their progeny Therefore, the objective of the current experiment was to evaluate litter performance and the production and passive transfer of immunoglobulins (Ig) in dams (PI vs. P4) and their progeny. Litter birth weight tended (P < 0.10) to be greater for P4 progeny compared to P1 progeny. No effects of dam parity were observed on circulating Ig in dams during gestation or at parturition. However, concentrations of IgA tended (P <0.09) to be greater for P4 sows compared to P1 gilts in samples of colostrum and milk and serum IgG concentrations were greater (P < 0.02) for P4 progeny compared to P1 progeny across all preweaning samples. These results suggest that litter performance and health status may be affected by dam parity.

Effect Of Corn Dried Distillers Grains With Solubles (Ddgs) On Growth Performance And Carcass Characteristics Of Growing-Finishing Gilts With Previous Exposure To Ddgs In The Nursery, Thomas E. Burkey, Philip S. Miller, Roman Moreno, Erin E. Carney

Nebraska Swine Reports

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of high concentrations of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS; 30%) on growth performance and carcass characteristics of gilts, during growing-finishing, that were previously fed high concentrations of DDGS during the nursery phase. Overall (week 1 to 16), the following observations are noteworthy: 1) among pigs that were fed DDGS in the nursery, average daily gain (ADG) and final body weight (BW) tended (P < 0.10) to be lower during growing-finishing compared to pigs that did not receive DDGS in the nursery; 2) among pigs that received DDGS during growing-fi nishing, ADG tended (P < 0.10) to be lower compared to pigs that did not receive DDGS during growing-finishing; and 3) among pigs that received DDGS in both the nursery and during growing-finishing, ADG and fi nal BW was decreased (P < 0.04) compared to pigs with no prior exposure to DDGS. With respect to carcass characteristics, 10th-rib back fat was greater (P < 0.05) at the end of finisher 2 among pigs that did not receive DDGS in the nursery and hot carcass weight tended (P < 0.07) to be decreased among pigs that received DDGS in both the nursery and during growing-finishing. This research indicates that the inclusion of high concentrations of DDGS in both the nursery and growing-finishing periods may result in negative effects on growth performance and carcass characteristics.

Effect Of Dam Parity On Growth Performance And Immunity Of Weaned Pigs, Erin E. Carney, Huyen Tran, Justin W. Bundy, Roman Moreno, Philip S. Miller, Thomas E. Burkey

Nebraska Swine Reports

The growth performance of weaned pigs derived from different parities has not been previously evaluated; however, unpublished and anecdotal observations suggest that progeny derived from first parity (P1) dams have reduced health status and growth performance compared to progeny derived from mature sows (≥ P2). The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effect of dam parity on growth performance and immune response of P1 and P4 progeny during the nursery phase of production. Results from this experiment suggest that P4 progeny have increased body weight and growth performance during the nursery phase of production compared to P1 …

Selection For Immune Responses To Porcine Circovirus (Pcvz) To Decrease Incidence Of Porcine Circovirus Associated Disease (Pcvad), Jared S. Bates, Roman Moreno, Alan R. Doster, Rodger K. Johnson

Nebraska Swine Reports

Genetic and environmental effects on incidence of Porcine Circovirus Associated Disease (PCVAD) and immune responses to Porcine Circovirus 2 (PCVZ), and their relationships with body weights were studied in 3,440 pigs of the Nebraska litter size selection lines. Pigs were weighed at birth, weaning, 65, and 180 days of age and scored for symptoms of PCVAD every 10 days from 70 to 180 days of age. Necropsies were performed to confirm accuracy of scoring. PCV2 viremia, and antibodies to PCV2, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Actinobacilluspleuropneumoniae were measured in serum from blood samples drawn at various …

Nutrition During Gilt Development And Genetic Line Affect Reproductive Rate Through Parity 1, Rodger K. Johnson, Phillip S. Miller, Roman Moreno, Matthew W. Anderson, Jeffrey M. Perkins, Kelsey Rhynalds, Trevor J. Glidden, Donald R. Mcclure, Thomas E. Mcgargill

Nebraska Swine Reports

Effects of allowing gilts ad libitum access to feed until breeding age or developing them with 25% energy restriction from 123 days of age to breeding on reproductive success through parity I were studied with a total of 639 gilts of two lines that differ in lean growth and reproduction. Gilts of the two lines had common sires, an industry maternal line, but dams were from different populations. One line of gilts, LW x LR, represented standard industry Large White x Landrace cross females. The other gilts, L45X, were daughters of Nebraska selection Line 45 that has been selected 27generations …

Effects Of Distillers Dried Grains With Solubles (Ddgs) And Paylean" Supplementation On Growth Performance Of Growing-Finishing Pigs, Roman Moreno, Phillip S. Miller, Thomas E. Burkey, Matthew Anderson, Jeffrey Perkins, Donald R. Mcclure, Thomas Mcgargill

Nebraska Swine Reports

Forty pigs were used in a 14-week, +phase regime study conducted to evaluate the feeding value of diets with varying concentrations of DDGS for growing-finishing pig formulated on a standardized ileal digestibility (SID) lysine (lys) basis, DDGS withdrawal at the last feeding phase, and ractopamine (RAC) supplementation four weeks prior harvesting. Treatments consisted in 0, 15 or 40% dietary DDGS inclusion supplemented or not with RAC (4.5 ppm) four weeks prior harvesting. Increased dietary DDGS inclusion resulted in a linear reduction in average daily gain (ADG) during the Grower 1 period (P = 0.002). There were no treatment effects (P …

Explanation Of Statistics Used In This Report

Nebraska Swine Reports

Pigs treated alike vary in performance due to their different genetic makeup and to environmental effect we cannot completely control. When a group of pigs is randomly allotted to treatments it is nearly impossible to get an "equal" group of pigs on each treatment. The natural variability among pigs and the number of pigs per treatment determine the expected variation among treatment groups due to random sampling. At the end of an experiment, the experimenter must decide whether observed treatment differences are due to "real" effects of the treatments or to random differences due to the sample of pigs assigned …

Selection For Immune Responses To Porcine Circovirus (Pcv2) To Decrease Incidence Of Porcine Circovirus Associated Disease (Pcvad), Jared S. Bates, Roman Moreno, Alan R. Doster, Rodger Johnson

Nebraska Swine Reports

Genetic and environmental effects on incidence of Porcine Circovirus Associated Disease (PCVAD) and immune responses to Porcine Circovirus 2 (PCV2), and their relationships with body weights were studied in 3,440 pigs of the Nebraska litter size selection lines. Pigs were weighed at birth, weaning, 65, and 180 days of age and scored for symptoms of PCVAD every 10 days from 70 to 180 days of age. Necropsies were performed to confirm accuracy of scoring. PCV2 viremia, and anti bodies to PCV2, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus, Myco plasma hyopneumoniae and Actino bacillus pleuropneumoniae were measured in serum from blood …

Feeding Value Of Diets For Growing-Finishing Pigs With Varying Concentrations Of Corn Distillers Dried Grain With Solubles (Ddgs), Roman Moreno, Philip S. Miller, Thomas E. Burkey, Matthew Anderson, Jeffrey Perkins, Donald Mcclure, Thomas Mcgargill

Nebraska Swine Reports

Two-hundred and forty pigs (61.73 lb) were used in a 16-week study conducted to evaluate the feeding value of diets with varying concentrations of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) for growing-finishing pigs. Pigs were assigned to one of four dietary treatments. Treatments consisted of a standard diet formulated on a standardized ileal digestible lysine (SID lys) basis in which a portion of dietary corn and soybean meal were replaced to include 0, 5, 10 or 15% of DDGS in a 4-phase feeding regime. Treatment did not affect average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) or gain/feed (G:F) …

Economy Of Adding Fibrous Feedstuffs To Sow Gestation Diets, Duane Reese, Allen Prosch

Nebraska Swine Reports

A previous summary of research results indicated that sows fed high-fiber diets during gestation weaned 0.3 more pigs/litter on the average than sows fed lower-fiber, grain-based diets. Gestation diets containing 18% soybean hulls, 46% distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), 34% wheat midds, 25% wheat bran, 23% alfalfa meal, 25% sugar beet pulp, or 45% oats provide sows about 350 g/day of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), which may be sufficient to increase litter size weaned by 0.3 pigs per litter. An economic analysis suggests that feeding a diet containing these sources of NDF would increase sow feed ingredient costs from …

Explanation Of Statistics Used In This Report

Nebraska Swine Reports

Pigs treated alike vary in performance due to their different genetic makeup and to environmental effect we cannot completely control. When a group of pigs is randomly allotted to treatments it is nearly impossible to get an "equal" group of pigs on each treatment. The natural variability among pigs and the number of pigs per treatment determine the expected variation among treatment groups due to random sampling.

At the end of an experiment, the experimenter must decide whether observed treatment differences are due to "real" effects of the treatments or to random differences due to the sample of pigs assigned …

Effect Of Corn Dried Distillers Grains With Solubles (Ddgs) On Growth Performance And Carcass Characteristics Of Growing-Finishing Gilts With Previous Exposure To Ddgs In The Nursery, Thomas E. Burkey, Phillip S. Miller, Roman Moreno, Erin E. Carney

Nebraska Swine Reports

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of high concentrations of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS; 30%) on growth performance and carcass characteristics of gilts, during growing-finishing, that were previously fed high concentrations of DDGS during the nursery phase. Overall (week I to 16), the following observations are noteworthy: 1) among pigs that were fed DDGS in the nursery, average daily gain (ADG) and final body weight (BW) tended (P < 0.10) to be lower during growing-finishing compared to pigs that did not receive DDGS in the nursery; 2) among pigs that received DDGS during growing-finishing, ADG tended (P < 0.10) to be lower compared to pigs that did not receive DDGS during growing-finishing; and 3) among pigs that received DDGS in both the nursery and during growing-finishing, ADG and final BW was decreased (P < 0.04) compared to pigs with no prior exposure to DDGS. With respect to carcass characteristics, loth-rib back fat was greater (P < 0.05) at the end of finisher 2 among pigs that did not receive DDGS in the nursery and hot carcass weight tended (P < 0.07) to be decreased among pigs that received DDGS in both the nursery and during growing finishing. This research indicates that the inclusion of high concentrations of DDGS in both the nursery and growing finishing periods may result in negative effects on growth performance and carcass characteristics

Feeding Value Of Diets For Growing-Finishing Pigs With Varying Concentrations Of Corn Distillers Dried Grain With Solubles (Ddgs), Roman Moreno, Phillip S. Miller, Thomas E. Burkey, Matthew Anderson, Jeffrey Perkins, Donald R. Mcclure, Thomas Mcgargill

Nebraska Swine Reports

Two-hundred and forty pigs (61.73 lb) were used in a 16-week study conducted to evaluate the feeding value of diets with varying concentrations of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) for growing-finishing pigs. Pigs were assigned to one of four dietary treatments. Treatments consisted of a standard diet formulated on a standardized ileal digestible lysine (SID lys) basis in which a portion of dietary corn and soybean meal were replaced to include 0,5, 10 or 15% of DDGS in a 4-phase feeding regime. Treatment did not affect average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) or gain/feed (G:F) during …

Economy Of Adding Fibrous Feedstuffs To Sow Gestation Diets, Duane E. Reese, Allen Prosch

Nebraska Swine Reports

A previous summary of research results indicated that sows fed high-fiber diets during gestation weaned 0.3 more pigs/litter on the average than sows fed lower-fiber, grain-based diets. Gestation diets containing 18% soybean hulls, 46% distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), 34% wheat midds, 25% wheat bran, 23% alfalfa meal, 25% sugar beet pulp, or 45% oats provide sows about 350 g/day of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), which may be sufficient to increase litter size weaned by 0.3 pigs per litter. An economic analysis suggests that feeding a diet containing these sources of NDF would increase sow feed ingredient costs from …