Results will be presented during university’s annual Swine Day on Nov. 18
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University researchers have completed work indicating that increased levels of a common feed grade amino acid can improve growth in swine herds – to a point.
In a recent 43-day trial involving 912 pigs, the team of scientists tested varying levels of feed grade amino acids with L-lysine added to the diets of late nursery and growing pigs.
Amino acids – in humans and animals – are molecules that combine to form proteins. They are often referred to as the building blocks of life.
“We found that if we increase the percentage of L-Lysine as a proportion of total digestible lysine, daily gain and feed efficiency improves,” said K-State graduate student Hadley Williams, who led the study.
But the researchers also found that when the proportion of total digestible lysine exceeds 24% of the diet, feed efficiency worsened.
In K-State’s trial, researchers found that decreasing the amount of soybean meal below 30% and increasing the amount of L-lysine could positively impact growth performance, assuming all other amino acid ratios are adequate.
Williams will be presenting the findings during K-State’s annual Swine Day, which is scheduled for Nov. 18 in Manhattan. Registration for this year’s event costs $25 and is available online, or interested persons may contact Lois Schreiner by email, [email protected].
“This information builds upon other research conducted at K-State showing the importance of using optimum levels of feed grade amino acids,” said K-State Research and Extension livestock specialist Joel DeRouchey.
Williams added that by knowing the ideal levels of L-lysine to add to the diets of growing pigs, nutritionists will be able to formulate diets that improve pig performance and producers’ profitability.
“Maintaining these ratios of amino acids in the diet may allow higher levels of amino acids to replace soybean meal without reducing pig performance,” said Williams, noting that some of the amino acids of interest included valine and isoleucine.
He added: “The use of feed grade amino acids also is essential for reducing nitrogen excretion in manure and reducing dietary soybean levels to promote gut health, especially in young pigs.”
More information on K-State swine nutrition research is available online.
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FOR PRINT PUBLICATIONS: Links used in this story
K-State Swine Day (registration and information), www.asi.k-state.edu/events/swine-day
K-State swine nutrition, https://www.asi.k-state.edu/research-and-extension/swine
K State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K State campus in Manhattan.
Story by:
Pat Melgares
785-532-1160
[email protected]
Source:
Joel DeRouchey
785-457-3319
[email protected]
