0
The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of maize distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) during late gestation and lactation on sow and piglet performance, and on colostrum and milk composition as of the most important factors on the future for piglet growth during the suckling period and after weaning. DDGS is a by-product from the bioethanol industry with high value as feed ingredient to replace maize, soybean meal, and inorganic phosphate in swine diets. It contains approximately 2.5 – 3 times the concentration of fiber, protein, fat and minerals compared with maize. A total of thirty-six second- and third-parity (2.43 parity) sows (Yorkshire) were allotted to 1 of 3 groups and fed diets containing 0 (control), 200 or 400 g DDGS/Kg during the last 20 days of gestation and throughout a 21 days of lactation. Experimental diets contained 12.9 MJ metabolizable energy/Kg and 9.7 g lysine/Kg. Colostrum and milk samples were collected on day 0 (farrowing) and day 21 (weaning).
There were no differences (P>0.05) in the sows’ average gestation lengths, weaning-to-estrus interval, average daily feed intake, and the lactation backfat and body weight change between dietary treatments. There were no dietary effects (P>0.05) of DDGS on the numbers of total, born alive piglets, average birth weights, piglets per litter at weaning or piglets average daily gain during lactation. No differences (P>0.05) were observed in total solids, protein, fat and lactose among the sows fed the DDGS diets compared with the control. The composition of total solids and protein of sows colostrum and milk were higher at farrowing (day 0) than at weaning (day 21) (P<0.001). However, the fat and lactose content of sows colostrum and milk were increased (P<0.001) from d 0 (farrowing) to d 21 (weaning).
In conclusion, the results suggest that 400 g DDGS/Kg (87 g lysine/Kg) supplemented with 5.2 g lysine/Kg included in late gestation and lactation diets is sufficient to replace all the dietary soybean meal without significantly affecting sow and litter performance or colostrum and milk composition.
L.S. Wang, B.C. Su, Z. Shi, B.M. Shi, A.S. Dietary supplementation with maize distillers dried grains with solubles during late gestation and lactation: Effects on sow and litter performance, and on colostrum and milk composition. Animal Feed Science and Technology 179(1–4):149–153. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2012.11.002