PSVI-19 - Evaluation of Vegetable Protein Sources on Nursery Pig Performance in a Commercial Environment

Abstract: This experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of vegetable protein sources on growth performance of nursery pigs in a commercial research environment. A total of 2,592 pigs (L337 × 1050, PIC; initial BW of 5.3 ± 0.05 kg) were used in a 42-d study. Pens of pigs were blocked by BW and weaning date and allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design with 27 pigs/pen and 16 replications/treatment. A corn-soybean meal control diet with no specialty vegetable protein source was used to compare performance against 5 diets containing either 1 of 2 soy protein concentrates (XSoy 600; CJ America-Bio, Downers Grove, IL; 5.0 and 2.5%, phase 1 and 2, respectively or Soytide; CJ America-Bio, Downers Grove, IL; 5.5 and 2.75%, phase 1 and 2, respectively), enzyme-treated soybean meal (HP 300; Hamlet Protein, Findlay, OH; 5.7 and 2.83%, phase 1 and 2, respectively), fermented soybean meal (Fermex 200; Purina Animal Nutrition, Shoreview, MN; 6.7 and 3.35%, phase 1 and 2, respectively), or high-protein corn DDGs (NexPro; Poet, Wichita, KS; 7.5 and 3.75%, phase 1 and 2, respectively). Diets were formulated in two dietary phases and fed at 2.27 kg/pig and 8.16 kg/pig, respectively, with a common phase 3 diet fed until d 42. The dietary level of soybean meal was held constant within phases 1 and 2 for diets 2 to 5 with protein sources replaced on a digestible lysine basis. During the experimental diet period (d 0 to 21) or overall (d 0 to 42), there was no evidence of difference (P>0.05) for ADG, ADFI or G:F. Additionally, there was no evidence of difference (P>0.05) for total removals, and mortality. In summary, none of the protein sources evaluated improved growth performance relative to soybean meal.