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The current study evaluated the influence of a multi-carbohydrase and phytase complex (MCPC) on the ileal and total tract digestibility of nutrients in growing pigs. A total of eight barrows (initial BW = 30.7 ± 1.1 kg) were surgically fitted with a T-cannula at the distal ileum and randomly allotted to four groups. The experiment was conducted according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design, each period lasting 10 days. Pigs were fed four experimental diets, which consisted of two basal diets (BD1, low phytate; BD2, high phytate) with or without MCPC containing at least 1800 U xylanase, 6600 U α-arabinofuranosidase, 1244 U β-glucanase, and 1000 U phytase per/kg corn–soybean meal with 15% corn distillers based diet. The high phytate diet reduced (p < 0.05) the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of crude protein by 1.4% and the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of organic matter, crude protein, and gross energy by 1.7, 2.3, and 1.9%, respectively, and tended to decrease (p = 0.10) the ATTD of Ca by 17.3%, relative to the low phytate diet. The dietary supplementation of the MCPC increased (p < 0.05) the AID of phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) by 34.2% and 31.1% for BD1 and 26.7% and 41.3% for BD2, respectively, and increased (p < 0.05) ATTD of crude fat, P, and Ca by 1.4%, 45.6%, and 9.6% for BD1 and 3.1%, 66.0%, and 52.7% for BD2, respectively. The MCPC supplementation did not significantly increase the AID and (or) ATTD of crude protein, organic matter, and starch. In conclusion, the dietary supplementation of the MCPC could improve the AID of P and Ca and the ATTD of crude fat, P, and Ca.

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The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of supplementing a corn-wheat-soybean meal-based diet with a multicarbohydrase and phytase complex (MCPC) on growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, carcass traits, and meat quality in growing-finishing pigs. A total of 300 pigs (Duroc × Large White × Landrace; body weight = 25.3 ± 0.7 kg) were randomly allotted to three groups with 10 replicates of 10 pigs each. Pigs from three groups were fed positive control (PC) or negative control (NC), without or with MCPC diets, respectively. The MCPC supplied at least 1800, 1244, 6600, and 1000 units of xylanase, β-glucanase, α-arabinofuranosidase, and phytase per kilogram of diet, respectively. The NC diet was the PC diet but reduced in net energy (NE), digestible amino acids (dig. AA), digestible P (dig. P), and Ca by 74 kcal/kg, 7.0%, 0.134, and 0.119 percentage points, respectively. The diets were fed in 4 growth phases based on body weight (BW): phase 1: 25–50 kg, phase 2: 50–75 kg, phase 3: 75–100 kg, and phase 4: 100–135 kg. Compared to the PC, the NC diet decreased (p < 0.05) body weight gain, feed intake, and(or) feed to gain ratio during the growing/finishing phases 1, 2, 3, and 4. It also reduced (p < 0.05) the ATTD of crude protein, crude fat, P, and Ca of pigs. MCPC supplementation improved (p < 0.05) the body weight gain, feed intake, and(or) feed to gain ratio in phases 2, 3, and 4 and the ATTD of crude protein, crude fat, ash, P, and Ca for the NC diet. Additionally, dietary treatment had no effects on carcass traits and meat quality with the exception that the loin eye area in the NC plus MCPC diet was higher (p < 0.05) than the NC diet. In conclusion, the addition of MCPC to a corn-soybean meal-wheat-based diet reduced in energy and nutrients improved the growth performance and nutrient digestibility but had little effect on carcass traits and meat quality in growing-finishing pigs.

This study was performed to determine the effects of oils on feed mildew and feed quality. Under different moisture content conditions (10%, 13% and 16%), the basal feeds were supplemented with 4%, 6%, 8%, 10% and 12% soybean oil. In addition, at different moisture content levels (10%, 13% and 16%), the basal feed was supplemented with 12% of various types of oil (soybean, peanut, corn and fish). Subsequently, a mixed mold spore suspension was added. The feed samples were incubated at 28°C, and the total mold, water activity (Aw), moisture, acid value, crude protein (CP), crude lipid (CL), crude ash (CA) and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) levels were determined at 15, 30, 45 and 60 days. The results showed no significant variations in the feed moisture, CP, CL, CA and NEF contents. However, the acid value gradually increased in the feed samples with an extended incubation time and increasing initial moisture. The feed moisture content was a critical factor controlling feed mildew, and high levels of oil supplementation caused an elevated Aw. Additionally, peanut oil promoted mold growth in feed. These results provide a reference for the production and scientific management of formulated feed.

This study evaluated the effects of dietary net energy concentrations on feeding behavior and growth performance of growing-finishing pigs monitored using a feed intake recording equipment (FIRE). Two hundred and sixteen (48.8 ± 5.6 kg) gilts were blocked by bodyweight and assigned randomly to 1 of 3 dietary treatments, which included low (2,350 kcal/kg), medium (2,450 kcal/kg), and high (2,550 kcal/kg) dietary NE levels. Pigs were housed in 18 pens for 68 d in four phases with 12 pigs and one FIRE station per pen. Bodyweight, feed consumption, and the amount of time and visit at the station of individual pigs were monitored every day by using FIRE. Pigs fed low NE diet spent more time (min) at the station during the first two weeks and visited the station more times with fewer amounts of time (min) per visit after two weeks compared with pigs fed medium and high levels of NE diets (P &lt; 0.05). The speed (g/min) and amount (g/visit) of feed intake were lower (P &lt; 0.05) during phase 3 and the overall period in low NE diet compared with pigs fed medium NE diet. Pigs fed medium NE diet tended to have a greater (P = 0.066) average daily feed intake at phase 4 than pigs fed low NE diet. Increasing NE levels linearly improved (P &lt; 0.05) average daily gain, feed conversion ratio, and final BW during phase 3 and the overall period. However, the overall energy efficiency (Mcal NE/ kg gain) was linearly decreased with increasing NE levels. In conclusion, decreasing dietary NE to 2350 Mcal/kg resulted in more visits to feeders with slow ingestion speed compared with pigs fed diets with 2450 or 2550 Mcal/kg NE. Increasing dietary NE levels linearly improved daily gain and feed conversion ratio, but linearly decreased energy efficiency.

Background Since the first report of ASFV in China in 2018, conventional whole herd depopulation method to control ASF has proved unwieldly because of high production intensity and complex trade network. To provide an alternative to conventional methods, we evaluated the feasibility of implementating an extensive sampling method and qPCR tests to determine the status of ASFV in herds, with a rapid response to identified outbreaks. Case presentations By assessing and applying these methods without whole herd depopulation, we successfully controlled ASF and eliminated the virus from 4 large swine herds. The time to negative herd was 19, 28, 14, and 1 days in farms 1-4 respectively. Retention rates of pigs of farm 1 to farm 4 was 69.7% , 65%, 99.4% and 99.72% respectively.Conclusions We anticipated that this innovative method would replace the conventional stamping out one and greatly facilitate the control and eradication of ASFV in China and worldwide.