2023
The effects of increasing metabolizable energy (ME) and SID lysine (Lys) levels on lactating sows and litter performance on a commercial sow research farm
Contributor/Checkoff:
Category:
Feed
Keywords:
Amino acidsAnimal nutritionEnergyMacronutritional bundleSoy mealSwine
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Dustin Boler, Carthage Innovative Swine Solutions
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
23-107-D-F-1-N
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Institution Funded:
Brief Project Summary:
Information And Results
Project Summary

Project Objectives

Project Deliverables

Progress Of Work

Final Project Results

Lysine and energy are two nutrients that directly impact litter and subsequent farrowing performance. Genetic selection has increased litter sizes and milk production leading to increased amino acid and energy demands by the lactating sow. Milk production alone results in 70% of the amino acid requirements and 65 to 80% of the energy requirement during lactation. Some sows do not meet the recommended lysine intake levels due to sow-to-sow variation in feed intake. There is no clear understanding of the relationship between lysine and dietary energy during the summer months when intake is decreased, and energy levels are increased. This study evaluated two standardized ileal digestible lysine levels (0.85% and 1.11%) and two energy levels (3183 and 3334 kcal/kg) during lactation. Results indicate that feeding a diet with a greater lysine concentration during lactation reduced feed intake, backfat, and body condition of the sow. Increasing dietary energy immediately prior to farrowing and during lactation did not affect sow feed intake. Sows fed higher dietary energy had increased stillborns and decreased percentage of pigs born alive. However, increased energy improved piglet performance by decreasing pre-wean mortality and increasing litter gain resulting in heavier litter weaning weights. Sows fed a combination of high lysine and high energy had a longer wean to estrus interval compared to those fed high lysine and low energy. These results indicate that energy and lysine inclusion will ultimately need to be balanced by the mixed effects on sow body condition, farrowing performance, and litter performance.

Benefit To Soybean Farmers

This study benefits U.S. Soybean Farmers by informing nutritionists how to formulate soy-based diets during summer months, increasing overall industry knowledge and domestic demand for soybeans.

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.