Life Sciences Commons^™

Evaluation Of The Effects Of Flushing Feed Manufacturing Equipment With Chemically- Treated Rice Hulls On Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Cross Contamination During Feed Manufacturing, J. T. Gebhardt, J. C. Woodworth, C. K. Jones, Phillip Charles Gauger, M. D. Tokach, J. M. Derouchey, R. D. Goodband, M. Muckey, R. A. Cochrane, M. Niederwerder, C. R. Stark, J. Bai, Qi Chen, Jianqiang Zhang, Alejandro Ramirez, Rachel J. Derscheid, Rodger G. Main, S. S. Dritz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Various strategies have been proposed to mitigate potential risk of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) transmission via feed and feed ingredients. Wet decontamination has been found to be the most effective decontamination of feed mill surfaces; however, this is not practical on a commercial feed production-scale. Another potential mitigation strategy, easier to implement, would be using chemically-treated rice hulls flushed through the feed manufacturing equipment. The objective of this experiment was to determine the impact of MCFA- or formaldehyde-treated rice hull flush batches as potential PEDV mitigation strategies during feed manufacturing. Feed without evidence of PEDV RNA contamination was inoculated …

Lessons Learned From Managing Electronic Sow Feeders And Sow Body Weight Data, L. L. Thomas, S. S. Dritz, M. D. Tokach, R. D. Goodband, J. M. Derouchey, J. C. Woodworth

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

As the swine industry is transitioning from individual gestation stalls to different styles of group housing, new challenges are being presented for collecting data in the gestation barn. Electronic sow feeders (ESF) are computerized feeding stations that track and dispense feed for each sow that enters the feeding station. Individual intakes for sows can be recorded, which creates an opportunity for conducting nutrition studies in gestation. A research study was conducted on a commercial sow farm in central Nebraska, where sows were group-housed with ESF. A total of 74,114 feed intake observations and 663,204 sow weights were recorded during the …

Generating An Equation To Predict Post- Farrow Maternal Weight In Multiple Parity Sows, L. L. Thomas, S. S. Dritz, R. D. Goodband, M. D. Tokach, J. M. Derouchey, J. C. Woodworth

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

ost-farrow maternal weight is required when partitioning maternal and fetal weight gains throughout gestation. Equations were developed from the analysis of 150 females (Line 1050, PIC, Hendersonville, TN) to predict the weight of conceptus by difference of pre- and post-farrowing weight change in multi-parity sows. Females were individually weighed as they were moved into the farrowing house at d 110 to 112 of gestation and again at 12 to 24 h after farrowing. Data were divided into 4 groups: (1) parity 1 sows; (2) parity 2 sows; (3) parity 3 sows; and (4) parity 4+ sows. Each group tested 3 …

Effects Of Evosure On Nursery Pig Performance, H. Williams, J. C. Woodworth, J. M. Derouchey, S. S. Dritz, M. D. Tokach, R. D. Goodband

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 360 pigs (PIC C-29 × 359, initially 13.1 lb BW) were used in a 42-d growth trial evaluating the effects of Evosure on nursery pig performance. Evosure is a yeastbased technology designed to enhance weaned pig performance. Pigs were weaned at approximately 16 to 20 d and allotted to pens based on initial BW and gender in a completely randomized design. The 3 dietary treatments included a control diet, or the control diet with Evosure (NUTRIQUEST, Inc., Mason City, IA) fed at 1.0 lb/ton fed from d 0 to 21 followed by 0.5 lb/ton fed from d …

Effects Of Increasing Zn From Zinc Sulfate Or Zinc Hydroxychloride On Finishing Pig Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, And Economic Return, C. Carpenter, K. Coble, J. C. Woodworth, J. M. Derouchey, M. D. Tokach, R. D. Goodband, S. S. Dritz, J. Usry

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 1,008 pigs [TR4 (Fast × L02 PIC; initially 70.6 lb BW)] were used in a 103-d growth study to determine the effects of Zn source and level on finishing pig growth performance, carcass characteristics, and economic return. The 6 dietary treatments were arranged as a 2 × 3 factorial with main effects of Zn source (ZnSO_⁴; Agrium Advance Technology, Loveland, CO, or Zn hydroxychloride; Intellibond-Z®; Micronutrients, Indianapolis, IN) and level (50, 100, or 150 ppm added Zn). The trace mineral premix was formulated to contain no added Zn. There were 21 pigs per pen and …

Pregnancy Rates To Artificial Insemination In Yearling Beef Heifers Is Not Influenced By Injectable Trace Mineral, S. K. Johnson, M. W. Holman

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Heifers that conceive early in their first breeding season have a long-term advantage in future reproductive success and production. Reproductive performance is more likely to be maximized if nutritional requirements are met, including those for trace minerals. Reproductive response to supplementation of trace minerals has been variable. Bioavailability of source, mineral antagonisms, intake, and long-term animal nutrient status may all contribute to that variability. A recent study found pre- and post-partum bolus injections of trace mineral increased pregnancy rate to AI in mature beef cows. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of an injectable trace mineral …

Gilt Training For Electronic Sow Feeding Systems In Gestation, C. M. Vier, M. A. Gonçalves, L. L. Thomas, J. C. Woodworth, R. D. Goodband, S. S. Dritz, M. D. Tokach, J. M. Derouchey

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

An electronic sow feeding (ESF) system provides the capability of feeding group-housed gestating gilts and sows on an individual basis. One of the most critical and yet often neglected steps in making an ESF system a success is proper gilt training. Different farms have protocols adapted to their particular situation, but the overall goal of gilt training is to ensure that a high percentage of gilts learn how to utilize the ESF station before they are moved to gestation. There are three critical steps in proper gilt training. These include: 1) pre-training; 2) training once the gilts have been moved …

Comparing Standing Heat And Estrotect Heat Detection Patches, S. K. Johnson, J. R. Jaeger

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A recent survey showed that 66% of producers surveyed used some amount of heat detection in their artificial insemination program, and 74% of producers that used heat detection aids had tried Estrotect (Rockway, Inc.; Spring Valley, WS) heat detection patches. The peel-and-stick application made Estrotect more popular than types that required adhesive application. The patches are designed so that when the animal is mounted the top surface layer is removed, much like scratching a lottery ticket. After several mounts the entire layer is removed, leaving a bright-colored surface behind. A new type of patch, Standing Heat (Standing Heat, LLC; Dannebrog, …

Foreword And Supplemental Information, Swine Day, R. D. Goodband, M. D. Tokach, S. S. Dritz, J. M. Derouchey, J. C. Woodworth

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

It is with great pleasure that we present the 2016 Swine Industry Day Report of Progress. This report contains updates and summaries of applied and basic research conducted at Kansas State University during the past year. We hope that the information will be of benefit as we attempt to meet the needs of the Kansas swine industry.

Swine Day 2016 Full Report, R. D. Goodband, M. D. Tokach, S. S. Dritz, J. M. Derouchey, J. C. Woodworth

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

It is with great pleasure that we present the 2016 Swine Industry Day Report of Progress. This report contains updates and summaries of applied and basic research conducted at Kansas State University during the past year. We hope that the information will be of benefit as we attempt to meet the needs of the Kansas swine industry.

Using Estrus-Detection Patches To Vary Time Of Insemination Improves Pregnancy Rates Compared With One Single Timed Insemination, S. L. Hill, D. M. Grieger, K C. Olson, J. R. Jaeger, J. S. Stevenson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Timed artificial insemination (TAI) of beef cows at a predetermined time is a management tool that reduces labor costs associated with conventional heat detection before insemination. Multiple research trials have examined timing of the individual components of the developed protocols associated with TAI. The 7-day CO-Synch + progesterone insert (controlled internal drug release; CIDR) protocol has been shown to initiate ovulation effectively in cycling and noncycling suckled beef cows, often producing pregnancy rates greater than 50% in beef cows. In the current research, we examined using two targeted insemination intervals depending on the occurrence of estrus. We hypothesized that by …

Purpose, Acknowledgments, Contributors, K. R. Harmoney

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Roundup is the major beef cattle education and outreach event sponsored by the Agricultural Research Center–Hays. The 2016 program is the 102nd staging of Roundup. The purpose is to communicate timely, applicable research information to producers and extension personnel.

The research program of the Agricultural Research Center–Hays is dedicated to serving the people of Kansas by developing new knowledge and technology to stabilize and sustain long-term production of food and fiber in a manner consistent with conservation of natural resources, protection of the environment, and assurance of food safety. Primary emphasis is on production efficiency through optimization of inputs in …

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Surface Decontamination Strategies Using Chemical Sanitizing To Reduce The Quantity Of Pedv Rna On Feed Manufacturing Surfaces With Environmental Swabbing, M. Muckey, S. S. Dritz, J. C. Woodworth, C. R. Stark, J. Bai, Jianqiang Zhang, Phillip Charles Gauger, Rodger G. Main, C. K. Jones

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a possible hazard in feed mills that could impact pig health. If the virus enters a feed mill, it quickly becomes widely distributed and is difficult to decontaminate from surfaces.6,7 The objective of this study was to evaluate a variety of liquid and dry chemical treatments that could be used as sanitizers to reduce the amount of PEDV found on feed manufacturing surfaces in mills. This experiment was replicated 3 times and was designed in a 5 × 10 factorial with main effects of 5 different feed manufacturing surfaces and 10 sanitizing treatments. Surfaces …

Effects Of Lysine On Performance Of Lactating Primiparous Sows, K. M. Gourley, J. C. Woodworth, J. M. Derouchey, M. D. Tokach, S. S. Dritz, R. D. Goodband

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 111 primiparous sows (Line 241; DNA, Columbus, NE) were used in a 21-d study to determine the effect of lysine (Lys) intake during lactation on sow and litter performance and subsequent reproductive performance of primiparous sows. At d 110 of gestation, sows were weighed and randomly assigned to treatment based on weight block. Dietary treatments consisted of increasing levels of standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys (0.80, 0.95, 1.10, and 1.25% with other AA meeting or exceeding NRC [2012] recommendations as a ratio to Lys). All other nutrients met or exceeded the NRC (2012) estimates. During the lactation …

Effects Of Feeding A Finishing Diet Blended With Different Phases Of Nursery Diets On Growth Performance And Economics Of Nursery Pigs, F. Wu, K. Coble, C. Hastad, M. D. Tokach, J. M. Derouchey, S. S. Dritz, J. C. Woodworth, R. D. Goodband

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 1,260 weaned pigs (PIC TR4 × (Fast LW × PIC L02); initially 12.9 lb BW)) were housed in a commercial research barn and used in a 47-d study to determine the effects of blending a finishing diet into different phases of nursery diets on pig growth performance. Pens of pigs were blocked by initial BW and gender and allotted to 1 of 4 treatment groups (15 pens/treatment). In a 5-phase feeding program, the 4 treatments were: 1) standard nursery diets throughout (control); or standard nursery diets with 5.5 lb/pig of late finishing feed blended at the beginning …

Effects Of Dietary Electrolyte Balance And Crude Protein Level On Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, And Blood Analytes Of Finishing Pigs, J. Soto, M. D. Tokach, S. S. Dritz, J. C. Woodworth, J. M. Derouchey, R. D. Goodband

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 288 finishing pigs (PIC 327 × 1050, initially 243.5 lb) were used in a 20-d trial to determine if dietary electrolyte balance (dEB) in conjunction with low protein, amino acid fortified diets has any influence on growth performance. Pens of 8 pigs were allotted by BW and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments with 9 replications per treatment. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial with main effects of CP (10 or 13%) and dEB (48 or 107 mEq/kg). At d 20, the pigs were transported to a packing plant for processing and …

Evaluation Of Added Sodium And Chloride For 15 To 24 Lb Nursery Pigs, D. Shawk, M. Moniz, A. B. Clark, R. D. Goodband, J. C. Woodworth, M. D. Tokach, S. S. Dritz, J. M. Derouchey

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 360 pigs (Line 241 × 600; DNA, Columbus, NE) were used in a 14-d growth trial to determine if the response to added dietary salt in nursery pigs (15 to 24 lb) was due to either the Na or Cl concentration in the diet. Upon entry to the nursery, pigs were allotted by BW and fed a common starter diet (0.33% Na and 0.76% Cl) for 7 d after weaning. On d 7 after weaning, considered d 0 in the trial, pens were assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments that were fed from d 0 to …

The Effect Of Liquid Application Times, And Mixer Types With Different Wet Mix Times On Uniformity Of Mix, M. Saensukjaroenphon, C. K. Jones, C. H. Fahrenholz, C. R. Stark

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Liquid addition systems are often designed to add liquid ingredients with the shortest application time in order to increase the batching capacity and efficiency of the mixing process. The quantity of liquid that is added into the mixer affects batch cycle time, particularly when there is a programmed “wet mix” time, or mixing time after liquid application has completed. Shorter application time of liquids typically produces a larger droplet size, which may lead to greater clumping tendencies in the feed and less uniformity of liquid incorporation. Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of liquid application time and wet …

Comparing The Effects Of Butyric Acid Source And Level On Growth Performance Of Nursery Pigs, K. M. Gourley, J. C. Woodworth, J. M. Derouchey, M. D. Tokach, R. D. Goodband, S. S. Dritz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 398 pigs (PIC 19 × 1050 or PIC 3 × C29, initially 13.56 ± 0.02 lb) were used in a 42-d growth study to compare the effects of increasing two different sources of encapsulated butyric acid on growth performance of nursery pigs fed meal diets. Dietary treatments were arranged as a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial with main effects of butyric acid source (ButiPEARL vs. ButiPEARLZ; Kemin Industries, Des Moines, IA) and level (low (1 or 1.38 lb/ton) vs. high (2 or 2.76 lb/ton) respectively) plus a control diet without any butyric acid. The inclusion rates …

Evaluation Of Elarom Ses In Nursery Diets With Or Without The Inclusion Of High Zinc Oxide Or Feed Antimicrobials, H. Williams, J. C. Woodworth, J. M. Derouchey, S. S. Dritz, M. D. Tokach, R. D. Goodband

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 360 weaned pigs (DNA 200 × 400; initially 11.5 lb BW) were used in a 42-d study evaluating the effects of feeding Elarom SES in combination with high levels of ZnO and/or antimicrobials on nursery pig performance and fecal consistency. Elarom SES (Trouw Nutrition USA, Highland, IL) is a commercially available blend of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) and slow release organic acids designed to enhance growth performance and gut health. Pigs were weaned at approximately 21 d and allotted to pens based on initial BW in a completely randomized design. Experimental …

Effects Of Dietary Standardized Ileal Digestible Isoleucine:Lysine Ratio On Nursery Pig Performance, A. B. Clark, M. D. Tokach, J. M. Derouchey, S. S. Dritz, K. Touchette, R. D. Goodband, J. C. Woodworth

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 560 nursery pigs were used in 2 experiments to evaluate the effects of increasing dietary standardized ileal digestible (SID) Isoleucine:Lysine (Ile:Lys) ratio on growth performance. In Exp. 1, 280 pigs (PIC 327 × 1050, initially 14.9 lb BW) were fed experimental diets for 12 d with 8 replications and 5 pigs per pen. In Exp. 2, 280 pigs (DNA Genetics Line 600 × Line 241, initially 13.3 lb BW) were fed experimental diets for 18 d with 8 replications and 5 pigs per pen. In both experiments, pens were allotted to 1 of 7 dietary treatments in …

Effects Of A Gluco-Oligosaccharide On Growth Performance Of Nursery Pigs, F. Wu, M. D. Tokach, J. M. Derouchey, S. S. Dritz, J. C. Woodworth, R. D. Goodband

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 3,456 nursery pigs (PIC L337 × 1050, initially 12.4 lb BW) were housed in 3 commercial research rooms and used in a 42-d growth study to determine the effects of gluco-oligosaccharide (Midori USA, Inc., Cambridge, MA) on growth performance. In each room, pens of pigs (27 pigs/pen) were blocked (6, 5, and 5 blocks in rooms 1, 2, and 3, respectively) by initial pen BW. Within blocks, pens were allotted randomly to 1 of 8 dietary treatments in a 2-phase feeding program (d 0 to 14 and d 14 to 42). Dietary treatments were arranged in a …

Performance Of Beef Replacement Heifers Supplemented With Dried Distillers Grains Or A Mixture Of Soybean Meal And Ground Sorghum Grain, C. J. Mcmullen, J. R. Jaeger, K. R. Harmoney, J. W. Waggoner, K C. Olson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The feed, labor, and equipment costs of developing heifers in a confined feeding system are relatively high. High Plains beef producers can reduce input costs by developing heifers on dormant native range; however, heifers are typically unable to consume sufficient crude protein (CP) from the low-quality (<7% CP) forage base.

Insufficient dietary protein reduces forage digestion and performance potential of growing heifers. Supplementing protein when forage quality was poor has previously been reported to increase forage intake and forage digestibility, which resulted in acceptable levels of performance.

An efficient means of supplying supplemental protein to heifers consuming low-quality forage is through the use …

Effect Of Sample Preparation And Extended Mix Times With Different Salt Particle Sizes On The Uniformity Of Mix Of A Corn-Soybean Meal Swine Diet, M. Saensukjaroenphon, C. K. Jones, C. H. Fahrenholz, C. R. Stark

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The uniformity of a feed mixture is determined from the coefficient of variation (CV) of 10 samples in a single batch of feed. The feed industry standard is a CV of less than 10% using a single source tracer, such as salt, trace minerals, or iron filings. The objectives of these experiments were to determine the effects of 1) extended mix time, 2) particle size of the marker, and 3) sample preparation on the CV in a corn-soybean meal swine diet. In Experiment 1, treatments were arranged in a 3 × 7 factorial with main effects of 3 salt particle …

Assessing The Effects Of Medium Chain Fatty Acids And Fat Sources On Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Viral Rna Stability And Infectivity, R. A. Cochrane, S. S. Dritz, J. C. Woodworth, A. R. Huss, C. R. Stark, M. Saensukjaroenphon, J. M. Derouchey, M. D. Tokach, R. D. Goodband, J. Bai, Qi Chen, Jianqiang Zhang, Phillip Charles Gauger, Rachel J. Derscheid, Rodger G. Main, C. K. Jones

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Research has confirmed that chemical treatments, such as medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) and commercial formaldehyde, can be effective to reduce the risk of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) cross-contamination in feed. However, the efficacy of individual MCFA levels are unknown. The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of commercially-available sources of MCFA and other fat sources versus a synthetic custom blend of MCFA to minimize the risk of PEDV cross-contamination as measured by qRT-PCR and bioassay. Treatments were arranged in a 17 × 4 plus 1 factorial with 17 chemical treatments: 1) Positive control with PEDV …

Evaluation Of Supplemental Energy Source For Grazing Stocker Cattle, L. W. Lomas, J. K. Farney, J. L. Moyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Seventy-two steers grazing smooth bromegrass pastures were used to evaluate the effects of supplemental energy source on available forage, grazing gains, subsequent finishing gains, and carcass characteristics in 2014 and 2015. Supplementation treatments evaluated were: no supplement, a supplement with starch as the primary source of energy, and a supplement with fat as the primary source of energy. Supplements were formulated to provide the same quantity of protein and energy per head daily. Supplementation with the starch-based or fat-based supplement during the grazing phase resulted in higher (P<0.05) grazing gains than feeding no supplement during both years. In 2015, steers supplemented with the fat-based supplement had greater (P<0.05) grazing gains than those that received the starch-based supplement. In 2014, supplementation during the grazing phase had no effect (P>0.05) on finishing gain, feed intake, and feed:gain. Steers supplemented with the …

Evaluation Of Dietary Phytogenics On Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, And Economics Of Grow-Finish Pigs Housed Under Commercial Conditions, J. Soto, M. D. Tokach, S. S. Dritz, J. C. Woodworth, J. M. Derouchey, R. D. Goodband

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 1,260 pigs (PIC 327 × 1050, initially 48.7 lb) were used in a 125-d trial to determine the effect of two dietary essential oil mixtures on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, and economics of finishing pigs. Pigs were allotted by BW and randomly assigned to 1 of 5 dietary treatments. Pigs were fed six dietary phases. Treatment 1 was the control with no feed additives and 12% of CP in the Phase 6 diet. Treatment 2 was the same formulation as treatment 1 but contained an essential oil mixture 1 (EOM 1) containing caraway, garlic, thyme, and …

Evaluating The Impact Of Vevovitall And/Or Crina As Potential Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Mitigation Strategies As Determined By Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis And Bioassay, J. T. Gebhardt, J. C. Woodworth, C. K. Jones, M. D. Tokach, J. M. Derouchey, R. D. Goodband, R. A. Cochrane, C. R. Stark, J. Bergstrom, Phillip Charles Gauger, J. Bai, Qi Chen, Jianqiang Zhang, Rodger G. Main, S. S. Dritz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Feed and feed ingredients have been shown to be potential vectors of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV). Potential strategies to mitigate the risk of disease transmission via feed and feed ingredients would be valuable to the swine and feed milling industries. Therefore, the objective of this experiment was to determine the impact of VevoVitall (5,000 ppm; DSM Nutritional Products Inc., Parsipanny, NJ), CRINA (200 ppm; DSM Nutritional Products Inc., Parsipanny, NJ), and a combination of both products (COMBINATION; 5,000 ppm VevoVitall and 200 ppm CRINA) as feed additives with potential to mitigate the risk of PEDV, in swine gestation diet …

Effects Of Altering Supplementation Frequency During The Pre-Partum Period Of Beef Cows Grazing Dormant Native Range, C. J. Mcmullen, J. R. Jaeger, J. W. Waggoner, K. R. Harmoney, K C. Olson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Spring-calving beef cattle that are grazing low-quality (<7% crude protein) dormant forage typically are unable to meet their maintenance requirements for protein. Providing a protein supplement (>30% crude protein) is recommended to decrease losses of body weight and body condition. Nutrient supplementation when forage quality is poor or limited is one of the largest expenditures for forage-based beef cattle operations. The expansion of the ethanol industry has afforded many producers in corn and sorghum-producing regions an alternative to traditional oilseed-based protein supplements. The availability and nutrient profile of distiller’s grains with solubles (DDG) has made it popular as a supplement for cows that are grazing dormant low-quality forages.

Decreasing supplementation frequency reduces costs for labor and fuel. Previous …

Determination Of Probiotic And/Or Chlortetracycline Inclusion Effects On Nursery Pig Growth Performance, H. Williams, M. D. Tokach, S. S. Dritz, J. C. Woodworth, J. M. Derouchey, R. G. Amachawadi, T. G. Nagaraja, R. D. Goodband

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 300 nursery pigs (DNA 200 × 400, Columbus, NE; initially 13.0 lb BW) were used in a 42-d study evaluating the effects of feeding chlortetracycline (CTC) in combination with probiotics on nursery pig performance. Probiotics are a class of antimicrobial alternatives designed to enhance growth performance and digestive tract health. Pigs were weaned at approximately 21 d of age and allotted to pens based on initial BW. Pigs were fed a common pelleted starter diet for 4 d and then weighed, and pens were allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments based on BW in a completely …