Final Summary
Feeding High Soybean Meal Levels to Pigs – Filling in Knowledge Gaps. J. Halbur, J. Lira-Silva, R.S. Samuel, R.C. Thaler, E.M. Weaver
Department of Animal Science, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, US
The inclusion of soybean meal (SBM) at high levels due to economic opportunities may effect performance, pork quality, and nutrient output of manure in wean-to-finish pigs. An increased demand for soybeans to be grown in the Midwest, driven by a push for new soybean crushing plants could lead to a decreased cost of SBM. Making SBM a more available and economically viable feed ingredient. This project aims to provide the industry with a more holistic understanding of the potential effects of feeding high and low SBM pelleted diets. A total of 275 pigs (PIC X Terminal Duroc, 12.8 kg, 6 weeks of age) were housed in a fully slatted floor, environmentally controlled room. Individual pig body weights (BW) were measured along with average daily feed intake (ADFI) every two weeks for the first 11 weeks, and then three weeks for the final weigh point. The treatments consisted of formulations designed to evaluate SBM at various inclusion levels in place of corn: high (50%) and low (20%). All diets were formulated to meet or exceed NRC levels and net energy (NE) was maintained for each diet. NE estimates for SBM were 2,502 Kcal/kg and for corn 2,672 Kcal/kg. The diets were pelleted to reduce potential sorting or palatability concerns. To collect pelleting efficiency data, the pelleting was conducted at Northern Crops Institute. The two diets were allotted to 46 pens (23 pens/diet), which were blocked by room location. Six pigs were placed per pen, and analysis was conducted as a randomized design. Growth data were analyzed to d95 as end of trial due to pig removal for collection of carcass and sensory analysis. Individual body weights and growth were also analyzed to characterize variation in ending weights. With that exception, data was subject to analysis as a CRD with pens as the experimental unit, dietary treatment as the main effect. Over the entire growth period, average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were unaffected by treatment. A 2% gain to feed ratio (G:F) improvement in pigs fed the high SBM diets throughout the trial period was a tendency (P<0.07). While body weights and growth rates were significantly lower in pigs fed the high SBM diets in weeks 0 to 4, from weeks 4-11 pigs fed 50% SBM were improved (P<0.05). No difference was observed in body weights at the end of the trial (d95). SBM may have economic benefits when fed to pigs at higher than conventional levels in the latter finishing stages. The comparable feed efficiency supports equivalent energy values for 50% SBM diets relative to corn and DDGS-based diets. The carcass composition of pigs fed 50% SBM did not differ from pigs fed 20% SBM diets. As summarized in the feed manufacturing report, energy efficiency for pelleting and pellet quality were improved for diets containing 50% SBM compared to 20% SBM. High levels of SBM can improve feed efficiency, pelleting energy efficiency and quality, and similar carcass characteristic results when fed from wean-finish. This information provides a further understanding of how SBM can be utilized in wean-to-finish pigs in a potentially shifting economic landscape and focus on sustainability.
Keywords: corn distillers dried grains with solubles, soybean meal, performance, wean-to-market pigs.