Swine

Impact of Zinc Source and Timing of Implementation on Grow-finish Performance, Carcass Composition and Locomotion Score

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Abstract

Interest in organic mineral sources continues in the pig industry. In this experiment, a zinc amino acid complex was evaluated in a total of 528 pigs, assigned to 48 pens and to one of 4 dietary treatments: A) 50 ppm zinc above that provided in the trace mineral premix as ZnSO4 during phases 1 through 5; in phase 5, ractopamine was included at 2.5 g/ton for 2 weeks, followed by 7.2 g/ton until the pigs were shipped to market, B) similar to Trt A, except ractopamine was not included in phase 5, C) similar to trt A, except that Availa-Zn 100 was fed in place of ZnSO4 in phase 1 through 5 and D) similar to Trt C except that the Availa-Zn 100 replaced ZnSO4 only in phases 3, 4 and 5. Pigs fed Trt C and D (with Paylean) grew faster than pigs fed Trt B (no Paylean) and pigs fed Trt C also grew faster than the pigs fed Trt A (P<0.05). There were no differences in feed intake among Trt B, C and D, but the pigs receiving Trt C and D (Paylean and Avail-Zn) ate more feed than the pigs receiving Trt A (Paylean but no Avail-Zn; P < 0.05) suggesting Avail-Zn mitigated reduced feed intake associated with Paylean. Trt A, C and D (with Paylean) pigs had the same feed efficiency but better feed efficiency than Trt B (no Paylean) pigs (P < 0.05). Locomotion score conducted at first pull was best for Trt B pigs (no Paylean and zinc sulphate) (P < 0.10), while Trt A pigs (Paylean and zinc sulphate) had the poorest locomotion score (P < 0.10); Trt C and D pigs (Paylean and Avail Zn) earned intermediate scores. Pigs fed Paylean (A, C and D) were leaner (P>0.10). We concluded from this experiment that zinc amino acid complex shows promise in enhancing the response of pigs to Paylean.

Keywords: ASL R2655

How to Cite:

Patience, J. F. & Chipman, A., (2011) “Impact of Zinc Source and Timing of Implementation on Grow-finish Performance, Carcass Composition and Locomotion Score”, Iowa State University Animal Industry Report 8(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/ans_air-180814-692