PSXIII-B-7 - Effect of Replacing Soy Protein Concentrate with Corn Fermented Protein on Growth Performance and Gut Integrity of Weaned Pigs

Abstract: NexPRO™, a corn fermented protein (CFP) derived from the dry-mill bioethanol production process, has demonstrated potential as a high-quality protein ingredient in weaned pig diets. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of increasing dietary inclusion of CFP to replace soy protein concentrate (SPC) in the diet on weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency and gut integrity of weaned pigs in a large-scale system. A total of 1144 pigs were distributed evenly into 44 pens (13 barrows and 13 gilts/pen; initial BW 6.0±0.1 kg) with 286 pigs assigned per treatment and 11 replications. The four treatments were designed as a titration of CFP inclusion at 0%, 4%, 8% and 12% in Phase 1 (3.6 kg/hd budget) and 0%, 2%, 4% and 6% in Phase 2 (5.5 kg/hd budget) replacing SPC. Pigs were fed a common diet through Phase 3. To determine gut integrity, a differential sugar absorption test (DSAT) administered a 5% lactulose and 5% mannitol solution on the tenth day to representative pigs consuming the 0% and 12% CFP diets. Urine was collected to measure differences in sugar ratios to access gut permeability. Average daily gain responded similarly for the 0%, 4% and 8% CFP diets during Phase 1, however greater than 12% (P< 0.01; 0.15 vs. 0.11 kg/d). Pigs fed diets with 4% and 8% CFP in Phase 1 had a greater ADFI than pigs fed 12% CFP (0.19 vs. 0.17 kg/d; P˂0.01); 0% diets were intermediate. At the end of Phase 2, pigs fed 0%, 2%, and 4% CFP diets had greater (P˂0.01) ADFI than pigs fed diets with 6% CFP (0.60 vs. 0.44 kg/d), but lower (P< 0.01) G:F (0.62 vs. 0.78). No observed differences were measured between treatments for gut permeability. Due to similar responses in performance, CFP can replace soy protein concentrate in nursery diets.