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Development of precision gestation feeding program using electronic sow feeders and effects on gilt performance
Computer controlled electronic sow feeders (ESF) allow precision feeding (PF) of individual gestating sows housed in groups. A study was conducted to evaluate PF gestating gilts using the NRC (2012) nutrient requirement model. The NRC (2012) model was adjusted to estimate daily energy requirements of gestating gilts, based on a constant daily lipid deposition target of 105 g/d, observed BW at breeding, assumed litter size of 12.5 and mean birth weight of 1.4 kg. Eighty gilts were assigned at d2-8 post breeding to one of two dietary treatments, moved into group-housed ESF pens, and remained there until d101-107 of gestation. For half the gilts (PF), the feeding level and blend of two iso-caloric diets (NE 2518Kcal/kg; 0.80 vs. 0.20% SID Lys for high and low protein, respectively; diets HP and LP) were adjusted daily for each animal to accurately meet estimated energy and Lys requirements. The remaining gilts (CON) received constant amounts of feed throughout gestation: 1.32 and 0.88 kg/d of HP and LP diets, respectively (mean SID Lys 0.56%). Total feed allowance per sow (d3-105) was similar for both groups (PF vs. CON ; 201 vs. 203 kg; P=0.66), while sows on PF used 6 kg less of the HP diet. Between treatments (PF vs. CON), d3-105 gains of BW (60.9kg vs. 64.7kg, P=0.18) and back fat (3.7mm vs. 3.2 mm, P=0.47) did not differ. Yet when ADG for early (d5-32), mid (d33-67) and late (d68-103) gestation were compared, gilts on PF tended to gain less in early gestation (0.31 vs. 0.41 kg/d; P=0.096), while ADG was similar during mid (0.71 vs. 0.73 kg/d; P=0.704) and higher for PF during late (0.82 vs 0.66 kg/d; P<0.01) gestation. During the subsequent 21d lactation period, no treatment effects on performance were observed (litter size at birth 12.2 vs. 12.2; mean birth BW 1.52 vs 1.47 kg/pig; litter growth rate 2.47 vs. 2.47 kg/d); voluntary ADFI was higher for PF (4.98 vs 4.56 kg/d; P = 0.045) and ADG tended to be higher for PF (-0.78 vs -0.98 kg/d; P=0.10). In this study, PF gilts did not affect overall gestation BW and back fat gain. However, in PF gilts the pattern of sow BW gain followed more closely the gain of products of conception. Gilts on PF ate more and tended to loose less weight during the subsequent lactation, which may benefit long term reproductive performance.
Keywords:
electronic sow feeders, gestating gilts, precision feeding