Effects of a Yeast-Based Feed Additive on Nursery Pig Performance

A total of 360 pigs (PIC C-29 × 359, initially 6.22 ± 0.008 kg BW) were used in a 42-d growth trial evaluating the effects of Evosure (NUTRIQUEST, Inc., Mason City, IA) on nursery pig performance. Evosure is a yeast-based additive to enhance weaned pig performance. Pigs were weaned at approximately 16 to 20 d of age and allotted with 10 pigs/pen and 12 replications/ treatment based on initial BW and gender in a completely randomized design. The 3 dietary treatments included 1) a control diet, 2) the control diet with Evosure fed at 0.05% from d 0 to 21 followed by 0.025% from d 21 to 42, or 3) 0.05% from d 0 to 42. Experimental diets were fed in 3 phases (Phase 1, d 0 to 7; Phase 2, d 7 to 21; and Phase 3, d 21 to 42 post-weaning) and in meal form. Diets were formulated to meet the pigs’ nutrient requirements for each phase of the study. Phases 1 and 2 contained specialty protein and lactose sources at decreasing levels, respectively, while Phase 3 was corn-soybean meal-based. Overall (d 0 to 42), there was no evidence for differences (P > 0.10) in growth performance or final BW. Thus, under these experimental conditions, added Evosure, regardless of level, did not impact nursery pig performance.

		Evosure, %
Item	Control	0.05/0.025	0.05/0.05	SEM	P <
BW, kg
d 42	25.5	25.4	25.5	0.249	0.980
d 0 to 42
ADG, g	456	455	459	5.77	0.905
ADFI, g	654	648	658	6.86	0.595
G:F	0.696	0.702	0.698	0.006	0.769