NRC 2012 Models for

Estimating Nutrient
Requirements of Pigs
Case studies

1
 Contents

1 INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL OVERVIEW...............................................................6

2 GESTATING SOWS...............................................................................................................6
Effects of Stage of Gestation and Feeding Regimen on Nutrient Requirements....................6
Effects of parity and anticipated litter size on nutrient requirements.....................................9
Effects of housing and environmental conditions on nutrient requirements........................10
Matching observed with predicted performance..................................................................12

3 LACTATING SOWS............................................................................................................14
Effects of parity and litter growth rate on nutrient requirements.........................................14
Effects of sow body weight and litter growth rate on nutrient requirements.......................16
Effect of environmental temperature on feed intake and sow performance.........................18
Effect of feed intake on sow performance and nutrient requirements..................................19

4 GROWING-FINISHING PIGS............................................................................................21
Effect of body weight on nutrient requirements...................................................................21

2
 Effects of gender, immunization against GnRH and feeding Ractopamine on nutrient
requirements of finishing pigs...........................................................................................23
Interactive effect of pig genotype and feeding level on nutrient requirements during the
early finisher phase............................................................................................................24
Matching observed with predicted performance – based on mean intakes, days to slaughter,
and probe back fat thickness..............................................................................................26
Matching observed with predicted performance – based on observed feed intake and
growth curves (FOR ADVANCED USERS ONLY).........................................................28

5 DIET FORMULATION AND FEEDING PROGRAMS.....................................................31

Use of the Feeding Program & Diet Formulation module....................................................31
Evaluate the environmental impact of alternative feeding programs...................................35
Evaluate the effect of using high-fiber coproducts on threonine requirements and energy
utilization in finishing pigs................................................................................................37

3
 1

Introduction and General Overview

These case studies have been prepared to help users understand the use and application of
the NRC (2012) models to estimate nutrient requirements of swine.
A detailed description of the models is provided in Chapter 8 of the 11th revised edition
of Nutrient Requirements of Swine published by the U.S. National Research Council (NRC,
2012). Appendix 1 of that publication also contains a User Guide. A slightly updated version of
the User Guide can be downloaded with the models.
The four models (one for starting pigs, one for growing-finishing pigs, one for gestating
sows, and one for lactating sows) are combined into a Microsoft Excel workbook and stored in
the file NRC swine 2012 v1. The program also includes a database with nutrient profiles of
ingredients and a means to formulate diets and generate feeding programs. The nutrient database
and formulation module allow the amounts of nutrients supplied in specified feeding programs to
be compared with estimated requirements. The program also enables nitrogen, phosphorus, and
carbon losses into the environment to be estimated.
Before operating the model, it is recommended that the original program is saved and a
copy is used. Doing this will protect the settings in the original version of the program. To
operate the models, start Excel and open the file NRC swine 2012 v1.
The program contains macros. Depending on the security settings on your computer you
may have to enable macros as outlined in the User Guide.

4
 When the program opens, the user is asked to agree with the warning about the program’s
use. The user is then directed automatically to the Main Menu, which allows access to the
models and the module Review Feeding Programs. The ingredient database and the feed
formulation system are accessed via the Review Feeding Programs button.
The program allows alternative systems for energy (DE, ME, and DE), amino acids
(standardized ileal digestible [SID], apparent ileal digestible [AID], and total content [applicable
to corn and soybean meal-based diets only]), and phosphorus (standardized total tract digestible
[STTD], apparent total tract digestible [ATTD], and total content [applicable to corn and soybean
meal-based diets only]. Energy and nutrient systems are specified on the Main Menu.
In the models, determinants of nutrient requirements can be entered, and current levels of
performance can be specified. After changing the model inputs and before exploring nutrient
requirements, calculations must be executed by clicking the Calculate button at the top of the
screen. During these calculations nutrient utilization parameters and estimates of nutrient
requirements are generated and stored for individual days.
Once model calculations are executed, estimates of animal performance, key aspects of
nutrient utilization, and nutrient requirements can be explored simply by entering the body
weight range (starting and growing-finishing pigs) or time period (for gestating and lactating
sows) .
Results are presented in graphs and summarized in printable reports.

Notes:

Changes that are made to model inputs, diet compositions, and feeding programs are used
for the current session only. To store changes to inputs for use in future sessions, simply save the
entire file, using a new name.
When using the models to estimate nutrient requirements, there is no need to evaluate
feeding programs. When first using the program it is recommended that No is selected following
Do you wish to evaluate a feeding program? on the Main Menu.

5
 2

Gestating Sows

EFFECTS OF STAGE OF GESTATION AND FEEDING REGIMEN ON NUTRIENT

REQUIREMENTS

First, ensure that the appropriate nutrient systems are chosen. To do this, navigate to the
Main Menu and under Step I use the three pull-down menus to select ME for energy, SID for
amino acids, and STTD for phosphorus. Under Step II, select No following Do you wish to
evaluate a feeding program?
Under Step III select Gestating Sows. A new window will appear with navigation and
action buttons at the top of the screen. To ensure that the default values are entered for model
inputs, click Enter Default Inputs. The following information should be displayed under
INPUTS:

Diet characteristics that affect nutrient requirements

Metabolizable energy (ME) content, kcal/kg 3300
Fermentable fiber content, % 9.0
Sow performance:
Sow body weight at breeding, kg 165
Parity 2
Gestation length, day 114
Anticipated litter size 13.5
Anticipated birth weight, kg/pig 1.4
Feed intake

6
Feed intake / (feed intake + feed wastage) 0.95
Start day 1 30 60 90
Feed intake + feed wastage, kg/day 2.210 2.210 2.210 2.610

Consider housing conditions & environmental No

temperature?
Match observed with predicted performance? No

Now, all necessary information has been entered to generate estimates of nutrient
requirements for the default scenario. To do this, click Calculate at the top of the screen. The
screen has now automatically moved to the results and you may scroll down or to the right of the
screen to display results more fully. Results can be explored for various time periods during
gestation.
Under the headings RESULTS and Range in days for estimating nutrient requirements
first enter 1 for Initial day and 114 for Final day to explore the mean performance and nutrient
requirements for the entire gestation period. Results for this range of days will be calculated
automatically. To return to data-entry fields click Home at the top of the screen.
Enter key result and nutrient requirements in the first column in the table below for
Scenario 1 (default) and day 1 to 114. To explore performance and nutrient requirements during
early (day 1 to 89) and late gestation (day 90 to 114), enter these two combinations of Initial
day, and Final day and record the results in the 2nd and 3rd column under Scenario 1 in the
Table below.

Scenario 1 (default) 2 (constant daily intake)

Results
Initial day 1 1 90 1 1 90
Final day 114 89 114 114 89 114
Average feed intake + feed wastage, kg/day
Average total body weight gain, g/day 526 539 481 524 572 354
Average maternal body weight gain, g/day
Avg. maternal body protein deposition, g/day
Average protein deposition in conceptus, g/day
Average maternal body lipid deposition, g/day 96 98 90 94 115 19
Average SID Lys requirement, %
Average SID Lys requirement, g/day
Average STTD phosphorus requirement, %
Average STTD phosphorus requirement, g/day

7
 How can the large changes in performance and daily Lys and phosphorus requirements
during gestation be explained?

In the model, default feed intake is increased starting on day 90 of gestation. Does this
seem appropriate? What are the potential consequences of low or negative energy and protein
balances in the (maternal) sow’s body?

(In answering these questions you may view the graphs, click Graph at the top of the
screen and scroll across the graphs, if needed. To return to results you can click Home at the top
of the screen.)
The default increase in feed intake starting on day 90 of gestation is a deviation from
using a constant level of feed intake throughout gestation. To evaluate the effect of maintaining a
constant feeding level go to the Feed intake area under INPUTS, and change all four values for
Feed intake + feed wastage to 2.298. Then redo the calculations, click Calculate, and record the
results for the three different combinations of Initial day and Final day in the table above and
under Scenario 2 (constant daily intake).
These two scenarios result in very similar average feed intake + feed wastage over the
entire gestation period (day 1 and 114).
What scenario is likely to better supports sow performance? Explain why?

Is it appropriate to use the same diet for feeding sows during early and late gestation?
Why or why not?

8
EFFECTS OF PARITY AND ANTICIPATED LITTER SIZE ON NUTRIENT
REQUIREMENTS

Click Enter Default Inputs and ensure that the information in the INPUT area is not
changed from that used for section Effect of Stage of Gestation and Feeding Regimen on
Nutrient Requirements. Again, housing conditions will not be considered and observed and
predicted performance will not be matched.
For each scenario listed in the table below, enter the inputs in the model in areas with the
heading Sow performance and Feed intake. Always use a gestation length of 114 days and an
anticipated birth weight of 1.4 kg/pig. For feed intake, always use two feeding levels; they are
increased automatically by 0.4 kg/day at day 90. After inputs are entered for each scenario, click
Calculate and then record results in the table below. Note that the Enter Default Inputs relates
to parity 2.

Scenario 1 2 3 4
Inputs
Sow body weight at breeding, kg 140 165 205 205
Parity 1 2 4 4
Anticipated litter size 12.5 13.5 13.5 15.5
Feed intake + feed wastage, kg/day – start day 1 2.13 2.21 2.20 2.08
Feed intake + feed wastage, kg/day – start day 90 2.53 2.61 2.60 2.48
Results
Scenario 1 2 3 4
Initial day 1 90 1 90 1 90 1 90
Final day 89 114 89 114 89 114 89 114
Change in body weight during gestation, kg 65 60 45 45
Average total body weight gain, g/day 578 543 539 481 410 340 416 313
Average maternal body weight gain, g/day
Avg. maternal body protein deposition, g/day
Average protein deposition in conceptus, g/day
Average maternal body lipid deposition, g/day
Average SID Lys requirement, %
Average SID Lys requirement, g/day 10.6 16.7 9.2 15.1 6.7 11.5 6.6 11.9
Avg. SID Thr requirements, ratio to SID Lys x 100

9
 What contributes to the differences in g/day and % of diet requirements for SID lysine
and STTD phosphorus across parity?

Why does the required SID Thr to SID Lys ratio change across parity?

Is it appropriate to use the same diets to feed sows of different parity? Why or why not?

Discuss the importance of anticipated litter size when establishing optimum feeding
levels and dietary nutrient levels?

EFFECTS OF HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS ON NUTRIENT

REQUIREMENTS

Click Enter Default Inputs. You can double check the accuracy of the inputs by running
the model after these are entered (click Calculate) to obtain the results presented for Scenario 2
in the table in section Effect of parity and anticipated litter size on nutrient requirements.
To explore the effect of environmental conditions select Yes following Consider housing
conditions & environmental temperature? New data-entry fields will appear; enter or select the
following inputs:

Sow standing, min/day 240

Housing Individual

Effective environmental temperature, oC 20

10
 Now run the program (click Calculate), under RESULTS and Range in days for
estimating nutrient requirements enter 1 for Initial day and 114 for Final day, and enter the
results in the table below under Scenario 1. Then, alter some of the environmental conditions to
generate alternative scenarios; run the program for each scenario and record the results.

Scenario 1 2 3 4 5 6
Inputs
Feed intake+wastage on start day 1, 2.21 2.21 2.21 2.21 2.21 2.21
kg/day
Sow standing, min/day 240 360 240 360 360 360
Housing system Indiv. Indiv. Indiv. Group Group Group
Floor type - - - Other Other Straw
Effective environmental temperature, oC 20 20 10 20 10 10
Results (Initial day: 1; Final day: 114)
Avg. total body weight gain, g/day 526 490 284 490 409 463
Average maternal body weight gain, g/day
Avg. maternal body protein deposition,
g/day
Average SID Lys requirement, %
Average SID Lys requirement, g/day 10.4 10.4 7.4 10.4 9.4 10.1

What is the effect of increasing the amount of time sows spend standing (Scenario 2 vs.
1) and decreasing environmental temperature (Scenario 3 vs. 1) on sow body weight gain and
lysine requirements in % of diet and g/day? Why do these changes occur?

In a similar manner discuss how and why group housing (Scenario 4 vs. 1),
environmental temperature for group-housed sows (Scenario 5 vs. 1), and floor type (Scenario 6
vs. 5) affect sow body weight gain and lysine requirements in % of diet and g/day. Why is the
response to changes in environmental temperature different for group- vs. individually housed
sows?

11
 Obviously, group-housed sows require more energy to support increased activity, and
when sows are kept on concrete floors in a cool environment extra energy is needed to maintain
body temperature. Now, by trial-and-error, find out how much more feed is required for group-
housed sows that are kept on concrete flooring and at an environmental temperature of 10oC. To
do this, enter the appropriate inputs and increase Feed intake + wastage, run the program, and
monitor in the Average total sow body weight gain until it is within 5 g/day of Scenario 1.

New Feed intake + feed wastage on start day 1: 2.55 kg/day

Revised SID Lys requirements: 0.45 % of diet, and 11.2 g/day
Based on these considerations, discuss how and why environmental conditions should be
considered when establishing optimum feeding levels and target dietary nutrient levels.

MATCHING OBSERVED WITH PREDICTED PERFORMANCE

When observed sow performance is similar to model-generated predicted performance,

confidence in estimated nutrient requirements is increased. To explore this, make sure to return
to the starting scenario (Section Effect of Stage of Gestation and Feeding Regimen on Nutrient
Requirements; click Enter Default Inputs and ensure No is selected following Consider
housing conditions and environmental temperature?).
Now select Yes following Match observed with predicted performance? New data fields
will appear; ensure that the following values are entered:

Observed Model Predicted

Body weight at farrowing, kg 230 -
P2 back fat at breeding, mm 18 -
P2 back fat at farrowing, mm 20.5 -

Adjustment to maintenance energy requirements, % 0.0

Absolute adjustment to maternal body N gaina,
g/extraMcal ME intake 0.00
a
This parameter affects the composition of maternal body weight change (ratio between body protein and body
lipid deposition). A higher value reflects a leaner sow genotype and means that sows will preferentially deposit
more body protein (or lean body mass) and less body lipid. In the model, the default value is determined by
parity only and differences between sow genotypes are not considered.

12
 Now change the two adjustment parameters for the scenarios that are listed in the table
below and record the results. Remember to run the model (click Calculate) after inputs have
changed for each of the scenarios.

Scenario 1 2 3 4
Inputs
Adjustment to maintenance energy requirements, % 0.0 -5.0 -5.0 -5.0
Abs. adjustm. to maternal body N gain,
g/extra Mcal ME intake 0.00 0.00 0.25 0.50
Results (Initial day: 1; Final day: 114)
Model-predicted body weight at farrowing, kg 225 227.4 228.9 230.4
Model-predicted P2 back fat at farrowing
Avg. total body protein deposition, incl. conceptus, g/day
Average maternal body lipid deposition, g/day
Average SID Lys requirement, %
Average SID Lys requirement, g/day 10.4 10.4 11.0 11.5

Which of these scenarios most accurately predicts sow body weight and back fat
changes?

How do these adjustments to maintenance energy requirements and to maternal body N

gain per unit of extra energy intake affect SID lysine requirements in % of diet and g/day?

Within this context, discuss the importance of accurately predicting sow performance for
estimating nutrient requirements of gestating sows.

13
 3

Lactating sows

EFFECTS OF PARITY AND LITTER GROWTH RATE ON NUTRIENT

REQUIREMENTS

Make sure that the appropriate nutrient systems are chosen. To do this, navigate to the
Main Menu and under Step I use the three pull down menus to select ME for energy, SID for
amino acids, and STTD for phosphorus. Under Step II, select No following Do you wish to
evaluate a feeding program?
Under Step III select Lactating Sows. A new window will appear with navigation and
action buttons at the top of the screen. To ensure that the default values are entered for model
inputs, click Enter Default Inputs. The following information should be displayed under the
heading INPUTS:

Diet characteristics that affect nutrient requirements

Metabolizable energy (ME) content, kcal/kg 3300
Fermentable fiber content, % 11.0
Sow performance:
Sow body weight after farrowing, kg 210
Lactation length, days 21
Average number of pigs nursed 11.5
Daily piglet weight gain, g; mean over entire lactation a 230
Feed intake:
Feed intake / (feed intake + feed wastage) 0.95

14
Use model predicted feed intakes Yes
Parity number 2 and higher
Consider environmental temperature? No
Match observed with predicted performance?: No
a
The user may choose to use mean piglet weight at weaning as an alternative means to estimate milk production.

Now all relevant information has been entered to generate estimates of nutrient
requirements for the default scenario. To do this, click Calculate. The screen has now
automatically moved to the results. Results can be explored for various time periods during
lactation. To return to data-entry fields click Home at the top of the screen.

Under the headings RESULTS and Range in days for estimating nutrient requirements
enter 1 for Initial day and 21 for Final day to explore average daily performance and average
nutrient requirements during the entire lactation period. Enter key result and nutrient
requirements in the first column in the table below (Scenario 1; Parity 2 and higher).
To explore nutrient requirements of Parity 1 lactating sows enter the values shown in the
table above and for Scenario 2 (Parity 1) in the appropriate fields under INPUTS and either
Sow performance or Feed intake, run the model (click Calculate) and enter the results in the
table below.

15
 Scenario 1 (Parity 2+) 2 (Parity 1)
Inputs
Sow body weight at farrowing, kg 210 175
Lactation length, days 21 21
Average number of pigs nursed 11.5 11
Daily piglet weight gain, g; mean over entire lactation 230 230
Parity number 2 and higher 1
Results (Initial day: 1; Final day: 21)
Average feed intake + feed wastage, kg/day
Average sow body weight gain, g/day -276 -368
Average sow whole body protein deposition, g/day
Average sow whole body lipid deposition, g/day
Average milk production, kg/day

Average SID Lys requirement, %

Average SID Lys requirement, g/day 48.9 45.7
Average STTD phosphorus requirement, %
Average STTD phosphorus requirement, g/day

What contributes to the difference in dietary SID Lys requirements (% of diet) between
Parity 1 and Parity 2+ sows? (There is no need to rerun the model to explore the effects of each
input individually; these differences will be explored in more detail in subsequent sections.)

EFFECTS OF SOW BODY WEIGHT AND LITTER GROWTH RATE ON NUTRIENT

REQUIREMENTS

Increase either sow body weight at farrowing or the number of pigs nursed and daily
piglet weight gain in similar proportions and assess the effects of these changes on Lys and
phosphorus requirements.
Return to the default input parameters (click Enter Default Inputs). The results for
Scenario 1 should be identical to those presented for Scenario 1 in section Effects of parity and

16
litter growth rate on nutrient requirements. Then change inputs as specified in the table below
and record the results, after you have run the model (click Calculate).

Scenario 1 2 3 4 5
Inputs
Sow body weight at farrowing, kg 210 246 210 210 210
Lactation length, days 21 21 21 21 21
Average number of pigs nursed 11.5 11.5 13.5 11.5 13.5
Daily piglet weight gain, g; mean over entire lactation 230 230 230 270 270
Parity 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+
Results (Initial day: 1; Final day: 21)
Average feed intake + feed wastage, kg/day
Average sow body weight gain, g/day -276 -379 -717 -755 -1280
Average sow whole body protein deposition, g/day
Average sow whole body lipid deposition, g/day
Average milk production, kg/day

Average SID Lys requirement, % 0.78 0.76 0.85 0.84 0.92

Average STTD phosphorus requirement, %

Which of these factors has the smallest and largest effect on nutrient requirements:
increases in sow body weight, the number of pigs nursed, or daily piglet weight gain? Explain
why.

Obviously sows under Scenario 5 loose a considerable amount of body weight during
lactation. Discuss the potential effect of these body weight losses on subsequent reproductive
losses.

What management tools are available to reduce these sow body weight losses?

17
EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL TEMPERATURE ON FEED INTAKE AND SOW
PERFORMANCE

Feed intake in nursing sows is known to vary between sow units and influenced by
various factors associated with the sow genotype and the environment. For example, in section
Effects of parity and litter growth rate on nutrient requirements parity was shown to affect feed
intake. When the model is used to predict feed intake, it is assumed that feed intake is lower in
Parity 1 lactating sows than in Parity 2+ lactating sows.
To explore the effect of environmental temperature with the lactating sow model, click
Enter Default Inputs and in the section with the heading Feed intake, select Yes for Consider
environmental temperature? Then, vary environmental temperature using the values presented
in the table below and record its effect on feed intake, sow body weight gain, and milk
production after running the model (click Calculate after inputs have changed).

Scenario 1 2 3

Sow body weight at farrowing, kg 210 210 210

Lactation length, day 21 21 21
Average number of pigs nursed 11.5 11.5 11.5
Daily piglet weight gain, g; mean over entire lactation 230 230 230
Parity 2+ 2+ 2+
Environmental temperature, oC 18 22 26
Results (Initial day: 1; Final day: 21)
Average feed intake + feed wastage, kg/day 6.613 6.190 5.629
Average sow body weight gain, g/day -276 -473 -733
Average sow whole body protein deposition, g/day
Average sow whole body lipid deposition, g/day
Average milk production, kg/day

What is the effect of environmental temperature on sow feed intake, milk production and
sow body weight losses?

18
 Does it seem reasonable to assume that environmental temperature does not affect milk
production and litter performance? Why or why not? (The rational for the approach used to
represent relationships between environmental temperature, feed intake, and milk production is
described on pages 142 to 144 in Nutrient Requirements of Swine.)

EFFECT OF FEED INTAKE ON SOW PERFORMANCE AND NUTRIENT

REQUIREMENTS

To explore the effect of feed intake on nutrient requirements, first enter the default values
(click Enter Default Inputs) and in the section with the heading Feed intake select No for Use
model predicted feed intakes? New data-entry fields will appear; ensure that the following
information is entered:

Intake specification Mean

Mean daily feed intake + feed wastage, kg/day 5.000
Mean diet ME content, kcal/kg 3300

Then vary Mean daily feed intake + feed wastage using the values presented in the table
below and record its effect on sow body weight gain and nutrient requirements, after you have
run the model (click Calculate).

Scenario 1 2 3 4
Inputs
Sow body weight at farrowing, kg 210 210 210 210
Lactation length, day 21 21 21 21
Average number of pigs nursed 11.5 11.5 11.5 11.5
Daily piglet weight gain, g; mean over entire lactation 230 230 230 230
Parity 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+
Mean daily feed intake + wastage, kg/day 5.00 6.00 7.00 8.00
Results (Initial day: 1; Final day: 21)
Average sow body weight gain, g/day -1026 -561 -103 325
Average sow whole body protein deposition, g/day
Average sow whole body lipid deposition, g/day

19
Average milk production, kg/day

Average SID Lys requirement, %

Average SID Lys requirement, g/day 41.8 46.2 50.6 55.2

How does feed intake relate to milk production, sow body weight changes, and average
sow whole body protein and lipid deposition?

How does mean daily feed intake+ feed wastage affect nutrient requirements, expressed
as % of diet and g/day? Explain.

20
 4

Growing-Finishing Pigs

EFFECT OF BODY WEIGHT ON NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS

Make sure that the appropriate nutrient systems are chosen. To do this, navigate to the
Main Menu and under Step I use the three pull down menus to select ME for energy, SID for
amino acids, and STTD for phosphorus. Under Step II, select No following Do you wish to
evaluate a feeding program?
Under Step III select Growing-finishing pigs. A new window will appear with navigation
and action buttons at the top of the screen. To ensure that the default values are entered for model
inputs, click Enter Default Inputs. The following information should be displayed under the
heading INPUTS:

Diet characteristics that affect nutrient requirements

Metabolizable energy (ME) content, kcal/kg 3300
Fermentable fiber content, % 10.5
Gender
Gilts & Barrows
Feed intake
Feed intake / (feed intake + feed wastage) 0.95
Options
Use predicted intake as model input
Gender Gilts & barrows

21
Consider environmental temperature? No
Consider pig space? No

Immunized against GnRH? No

Feed Ractopamine? No

Whole body protein deposition (Pd) pattern

Options Use default Pd pattern for each gender
Gender Gilts & barrows

Match observed with predicted performance? No

Present observed growth performance?

Options Do not consider

Now all relevant information has been entered to generate estimates of nutrient
requirements. To do this, click Calculate at the top of the screen. The screen has now
automatically moved to the results and you may scroll to the right of the screen to more fully
display results. Results can be explored for various body weight ranges, that are defined under
RESULTS and Range in body weight for estimating nutrient requirements. Results for this
range in body weight will be calculated automatically. To return to data-entry fields click Home
at the top of the screen.

Body weight range 1 2 3 4

Specified in RESULTS and section Range in body weight for estimating nutrient requirements:
Initial body weight, kg 25 50 75 100
Final body weight, kg 50 75 100 135
Results
Average feed intake + wastage , kg/day 1.583 2.230 2.637 2.933
Average body weight gain, g/day
Avg. whole body protein deposition, g/day
Average whole body lipid deposition, g/day
Average SID Lys requirement, %
Average SID Lys requirement, g/day 14.8 17.9 18.3 16.9
Avg. SID Thr requirement, Ratio to Lys × 100

22
 How do feed intake, whole body protein deposition, and nutrient requirements expressed
as % and g/day and Thr as a ratio to Lys change with increasing body weight? Discuss the
implications for developing phase-feeding programs.

EFFECTS OF GENDER, IMMUNIZATION AGAINST GNRH, AND FEEDING

RACTOPAMINE ON NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS OF FINISHING PIGS

Click Enter Default Inputs to return to initial values.

To explore the effect of gender (selected following Gender under INPUTS), feeding
Ractopamine (select Yes following Feed Ractopamine? under INPUTS), or immunizing entire
male pigs against GnRH to control boar taint (select Entire males following Gender and Yes
following Immunized against GnRH? under INPUTS) on nutrient requirements, run the
scenarios described in the table below. Simply enter the inputs that are specified below and in the
footnotes.
In the section RESULTS and Range in body weight for estimating nutrient
requirements, enter 100 for Initial body weight, kg and 130 for Final body weight, kg.
For each scenario, run the model (click Calculate) and record the results.
Viewing the graphs (click Graphs and then on Home to return to inputs and results) may
help in the interpretation of the results and answering the following questions.
Scenario Gilts Barrows Barrows Entire Immuni-
fed males zed males
Racto-
paminea
Inputs
Gender Gilts Barrows Barrows Entire Entire
males males
Immunized against GnRH? No No No No Yesb
Feed Ractopamine? No No Yes* No No
Specified in RESULTS and section Range in body weight for estimating nutrient requirements:
Initial body weight: 100 kg; Final body weight: 130kg
Results
Probe back fat at slaughter body weight, mm
Average feed intake + wastage, kg/day 2.822 3.013 2.991 2.733 3.076
Average body weight gain, g/day
Avg. whole body protein deposition, g/day
Average whole body lipid deposition, g/day
Average SID Lys requirement, %
Average SID Lys requirement, g/day 17.4 16.8 19.4 19.3 18.9
Avg. SID Thr requirem., Ratio to Lys × 100

23
 a
When selecting Yes for Feed Ractopamine? new data-entry fields will appear. For Initial body weight (i.e.,
when Ractopamine is first fed) enter 115; for Number of levels (in step-up program) enter 1; for Diet level 1
enter 5.
b
When selecting Yes for Immunized against GnRH?, a new data-entry field will appear. For Body weight at
2nd injection enter 105.

How do nutrient requirements differ among gilts, barrows, and entire males? How is this
related to feed intake and whole-body protein deposition? Based on nutrient requirements,
discuss the value of split-gender feeding.

How does feeding Ractopamine to barrows influence growth performance, feed intake,
and nutrient requirements?

How does immunizing entire male pigs against GnRH influence growth performance,
feed intake, and nutrient requirements?

INTERACTIVE EFFECT OF PIG GENOTYPE AND FEEDING LEVEL ON NUTRIENT

REQUIREMENTS DURING THE EARLY FINISHER PHASE

Restore the original inputs (click Enter Default Inputs) and run the scenarios described
in the table below. Simply enter the inputs that are specified below, run the model (click
Calculate) and record the results.
To enter values for Actual mean feed intake + waste, under INPUTS, in the section
Feed intake and following Options select Use observed intake as model input. New data-entry
fields will appear. For Actual mean intake or intake curve select Mean, for Actual mean feed

24
intake + wastage enter the value specified in the table (e.g. 2.300 for Scenario 1). For Mean diet
ME content, Initial body weight, and Final body weight the following values should be
displayed: 3300, 25, and 125.
To enter values for User defined mean Pd, under INPUTS, in the section Whole body
protein deposition (Pd) pattern and following Options select Specify mean Pd and Gender. For
gender, Gilts & barrows will then be displayed, as specified in the section Gender. For User
defined mean Pd potential enter the value specified in the table (e.g., 120 for Scenario 1).
In the section RESULTS and Range in body weight for estimating nutrient
requirements, enter 100 for Initial body weight, kg and 125 for Final body weight, kg.

Scenario 1 2 3 4 5
Inputs
Actual mean feed intake + wastage, kg/day 2.300 2.100 1.950 2.300 2.100 1.950
User defined mean Pd, g/day 120 120 120 160 160 160

Specified in RESULTS and section Range in body weight for estimating nutrient requirements:
Initial body weight: 100 kg; Final body weight: 125kg
Results
Probe back fat at slaughter body weight, mm
Avg. whole body protein deposition, g/day
Average whole body lipid deposition, g/day
Average feed intake + wastage , kg/day
Average body weight gain, g/day
Average SID Lys requirement, %
Average SID Lys requirement, g/day 16.3 16.1 15.8 18.8 18.7 17.5
Avg. SID Thr requirem., ratio to Lys × 100

At the highest level of feed intake how and why do lysine requirements differ between
the two pig genotypes?

How do Lys requirements expressed as g/day and % of diet change with reductions in
feed intake for the two genotypes of pigs (e.g., low and high mean Pd)?

25
 How can you explain the differences in response to energy intake for these two types of
pigs? (View the Whole body protein gain graph to help with the interpretation).

How and why do Thr requirements, expressed as a ratio to Lys × 100, change with
feeding level and type of pig?

MATCHING OBSERVED WITH PREDICTED PERFORMANCE – BASED ON MEAN

INTAKES, DAYS TO SLAUGHTER, AND PROBE BACK FAT THICKNESS

When observed growing-finishing pig performance is similar to model-predicted

performance, confidence in estimated nutrient requirements is increased. To explore this, be sure
to return to the starting scenario (click Enter Default Inputs).
Under the header Feed intake and Options select Use observed intake as model input,
and ensure that Mean is entered following Actual mean intake or intake curve , and that the
values 2.300, 3300, 25.0, and 125.0 are entered in the data-entry fields for Actual mean intake +
wastage, Mean diet ME content, Initial body weight, and Final body weight, respectively.
Under the header Whole body protein deposition (Pd) pattern and Options select Specify
mean Pd and gender, and ensure that Gilts & barrows is displayed following Gender and the
value 120 is entered following User defined mean Pd potential.
Following Match observed with predicted performance? select Yes and ensure that the
values 0 and 1 are entered for Adjustment to maintenance energy requirements and Adjustment
to slope of Pd versus E intake, respectively.
Following Present observed growth performance? and Options select Specify days from
starting to slaughter body weight and ensure that the values 25, 125, 16.5, and 119, are entered
in the data-entry fields for Starting body weight, Slaughter body weight, Probe back fat at
slaughter body weight, and Days from starting to slaughter body weight.

26
 Now vary User defined mean Pd potential and Adjustment to maintenance energy
requirements as indicated under inputs in the table below, and run the model (click Calculate)
and record the results.
For each of the scenarios, also record Lys requirements, as % and g/day, for pigs between
100 and 125 kg body weight. In the section RESULTS and Range in body weight for estimating
nutrient requirements, enter 100 for Initial body weight, kg and 125 for Final body weight, kg
to evaluate Lys requirements.

Performance
Observed Predicted, scenario
1 2 3 4
Inputs
User defined mean Pd potential, g/day - 120 130 140 140
Adjustm. to maintenance energy requirem,% - 0 0 0 13

RESULTS, section: Overall performance; between starting and slaughter body weight
Starting body weight, kg 25
Slaughter body weight, kg 125
Probe back fat at slaughter body weight, mm 16.5
Average body weight gain, g/day 840
Average overall lean tissue gain,a g/day 318 278 302 326 318

Specified in RESULTS and section Range in body weight for estimating nutrient requirements:
Initial body weight: 100 kg; Final body weight: 125kg

RESULTS, section: Average SID AA, calcium and phosphorus requirements

Average SID Lys requirement, % -
Average SID Lys requirement, g/day -
a
Lean gain is calculated from estimated carcass lean yield that is calculated from probe back fat. The equations that
are used to estimate carcass lean yield from carcass weight and probe back fat thickness vary among packing plants
and can be adjusted. To make adjustments, click the Carcass evaluation under Inputs and section Match observed
with predicted performance?

How are average body weight gain and back fat thickness affected by changes in mean Pd
potential and maintenance energy requirements? How can this be explained?

27
 How and why does overall lean tissue gain change when maintenance energy
requirements are increased? How does this affect digestible Lys requirements between 100 and
125 kg body weight? (HINT: use the Whole body protein deposition (Pd) graph to better
understand how maintenance energy requirements affect whole body protein deposition at the
various stages of growth; you may also evaluate the effect of maintenance energy requirements
on Whole body protein deposition in RESULTS section Performance and diet characteristics
for 25 to 50 vs. 100 to 125 kg body weight).

MATCHING OBSERVED WITH PREDICTED PERFORMANCE – BASED ON

OBSERVED FEED INTAKE AND GROWTH CURVES (FOR ADVANCED USERS
ONLY)

A limitation of the approach used in section Matching observed with predicted

performance – based on mean intakes, days to slaughter, and probe back fat thickness is that
observed and model-predicted performance is matched based on mean intakes and days to
slaughter and probe back fat. It is thus possible that observed feed intake or growth rates could
be higher at lower body weights and lower at higher body weights, or vice versa, without
affecting mean values. This can have implications for estimated nutrient requirements. It is more
accurate to match performance based on feed intake and growth curves (i.e., to characterize
performance at various stages of growth).
To explore matching performance based on curves, make sure to return to the starting
scenario (click Enter Default Inputs).
Under the header Feed intake and Options select Use observed intake as model input,
and ensure that Curve is selected following Actual mean intake or intake curve, and that
Polynomial is selected following Curve Type. The values 310.4, 173.41, -1.1024, and
0.00002664 should already be entered in the data-entry fields for a, b, c, and d, respectively.
Under the header Whole body protein deposition (Pd) pattern and Options select Specify
PdMax and start PdMax decline, and ensure that the values 135 and 90 are entered following
PdMax Body weight at start PdMax decline, respectively.

28
 Following Match observed with predicted performance? select Yes and ensure that the
values 0 and 1 are entered for Adjustment to maintenance energy requirements and Adjustment
to slope of Pd versus E intake, respectively.
Following Present observed growth performance? and options select Specify growth
curve; Polynomial function and ensure that the values 25.0, 125, and 19.5 are presented in the
data-entry fields for Starting body weight, Slaughter body weight, and Probe back fat at
slaughter, respectively. NOTE that for Probe back fat at slaughter the value 19.5 has to be
entered manually.
For the polynomial growth function the values 24.5, 0.57, 0.0044, and -0.000018 should
already be entered in the data-entry fields for a, b, c, and d, respectively.
Now vary PdMax, Body weight at start PdMax decline, and Adjustment to slope of Pd
versus E intake as indicated under inputs in the table below, run the model (click Calculate) and
record the results for overall performance (RESULTS section Overall performance; between
starting and slaughter body weight) .
In the section RESULTS and Range in body weight for estimating nutrient
requirements, enter 25 for Initial body weight, kg and 50 for Final body weight, kg to evaluate
lysine requirements (RESULTS section Average SID AA, calcium and phosphorus
requirements).
Also, after each change view the Body weight gain graph to monitor how changes to the
model inputs improve the match between observed and model-predicted body weight gains at the
different stages of growth (e.g., at the low, intermediate, and high body weight).

Performance
Observed Predicted, scenario
1 2 3 4
Inputs
PdMax, g/day - 135 145 145 145
Body weight at start PdMax decline, kg - 90 90 75 75
Adjustm. to slope of Pd versus E intake, fraction - 1 1 1 0.9

RESULTS, section: Overall performance; between starting and slaughter body weight
Starting body weight, kg 24.5
Slaughter body weight, kg 125.2
Probe back fat at slaughter body weight, mm 19.5
Average body weight gain, g/day 839
Average overall lean tissue gain, g/day 300 298 321 313 300

29
 Specified in RESULTS and section Range in body weight for estimating nutrient requirements:
Initial body weight: 25 kg; Final body weight: 50kg

RESULTS, section: Average SID AA, calcium and phosphorus requirements

Average SID Lys requirement, % - 0.95 0.98 0.98 0.89
Average SID Lys requirement, g/day -

Consider how PdMax, Body weight at start PdMax decline and Adjustm. to slope of
Pd versus E intake can be adjusted to more closely match observed and model-predicted body
weight gains at the various stages of growth and nutrient requirements, especially at the lower
body weight.

30
 5

Diet Formulation and Feeding Programs

USE OF THE FEEDING PROGRAM & DIET FORMULATION MODULE

Feeding programs must be specified in order to compare levels of nutrients that are
supplied with the diets with model-generated estimates of nutrient requirements. Specified
feeding programs are also required to estimate losses of nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon into
the environment.
Feeding programs provide information on dietary nutrient levels and the order in which
diets are fed. The diet formulation program can be used to calculate dietary nutrient levels from
feed ingredient compositions. Within feeding programs, diet changes are identified by either day
(gestating sows, lactating sows, and growing-finishing pigs) or body weight (growing-finishing
pigs only). Feeding levels are specified elsewhere, as inputs for the different models.
To illustrate the use of the diet formulation system and the approach for developing
feeding programs, make sure that the appropriate nutrient systems are chosen. To do this,
navigate to Main Menu and under Step I use the three pull down menus to select ME for energy,
SID for amino acids, and STTD for phosphorus.
Under Step II, select Yes following Do you wish to evaluate a feeding program? and
then click the button Review Feeding Programs. A new window will appear with navigation
buttons at the top of the screen.

31
 Click 1. Select Ingredients at the top of the screen to move to a new window, where a list
of ingredients is provided. The first ingredient (e.g., Corn, Yellow Dent) should be chosen with
care as it will be included in all diets that are formulated. To add a new ingredient, click the
blank data-entry box following ingredient no. 10, and from the pull-down menu select Peas,
field Peas.
To review the nutrient contents in this ingredients scroll to the right. The headings present
the nutrients according to nutrients that are selected according to nutrient systems (columns F to
T), nutrient that are independent of nutrient systems (columns U to AA), and nutrients based on
each of the three nutrient systems for energy (columns AB to AD), crude protein and amino acids
(columns AE to BQ), and phosphorus (columns BR to BT). If headings for columns and rows are
not displayed, then click View in the Windows Menu, and check Headings in the area Show.
Values in white cells can be changed. In columns U to BT, values with blue font are those that
are relevant to the nutrient system that are selected (e.g., ME, SID amino acids, and STTD
phosphorus), and these values are duplicated in columns F to T.
For Peas, field Peas change the Total crude protein content (in column V) from 22.17 to
24.0. Note that the cell color has changed to yellow, to identify that the original value has been
altered.
Now remove Peas, field Peas from the list, by clicking on its name (under the heading
Ingredient and scroll to the bottom of the list in the pull-down menu and select Clear (Force all
nutrient levels to 0)
The nutrient levels that are displayed here are taken directly from the Ingredient Library,
which represents the values presented in NRC (2012). To review these, click Ingredient Library
at the left of the screen and underneath the heading Ingredient Data Base. Note that for some of
the ingredients values are missing for some of the nutrients. After reviewing the Ingredient
Library you can return to the Feeding program & Diet formulation module by clicking on
Ingredient Data Base.
In the screen 1. Select Ingredients new ingredients can be added. To do this, click the
blank data-entry box following ingredient no. 11, and type in Custom premix and hit enter. This
new ingredient name is now highlighted in yellow and you can enter nutrient levels in white cells
in columns U to BT. Now remove Custom premix from the list, by clicking on its name (under

32
the heading Ingredient and scroll to the bottom of the list in the pull-down menu and select Clear
(Force all nutrient levels to 0).
You may review nutrient profiles in 1. Corn, Yellow Dent, 2. Soybean Meal, Dehull, Sol
Extr, 8 Fat, A/V blend and 9. Premix 3% incl. Contents of key nutrient should be:

ME SID SID Thr, STTD P, Fermentable Total crude Total Carbon,

kcal/kg Lys, % % % Fiber, % protein, % P, % %
Corn 3395 0.19 0.22 0.09 6.96 8.24 0.26 40.26
SBM 3294 2.63 1.58 0.34 24.88 47.73 0.71 41.48
Fat 8225 0 0 0 0 0 0 75.24
Premix 160 2.60 0 7.33 0 2.60 9.00 1.38

To access the feed formulation system, click the 2. Formulate Diet button at the top of
the screen.
To review diets that have already been stored in the system, click the white cell following
Diet Name and review the list in the pull-down menu, and select CoSBM Early Gest. The
following information should be displayed:

Inclusion level, Ingredient

%
86.74 Corn, Yellow Dent
10.00 Soybean meal, Dehull, Solv Extr
0.26 Fat, A/V blend
3.00 Premix, 3% incl.

Please note that the inclusion level of the first ingredient is calculated automatically and
to bring the sum of inclusion levels of all ingredients to 100%. The first ingredient (e.g., Corn,
Yellow Dent) is specified as ingredient no. 1 in section 1. Select ingredients.
What are the contents of Metabolizable energy (ME, kcal/kg) and SID Lys (%) in the
diet?
To create and save a new diet for gestating sows, type in a new diet name (1 phase
gestation) in the white cell following Diet Name, press the Enter key and then click Yes when
prompted. Then click the first white data-entry field, below Ingredient, access the pull-down
menu to select Soybean meal, Dehull, Solv Extr, click enter, and then enter 15.00 under

33
Inclusion level. In the same manner select Fat, A/V blend and Premix, 3% incl. and specify the
inclusion levels presented in the table below.
The contents of Metabolizable energy (ME) and SID Lys in the diet should be 3300
kcal/kg and 0.62%, respectively.
To save the diet click Save Diet.

Diet Name 1 Phase gestation

Inclusion level (%) Ingredient

- Corn, Yellow Dent
15.00 Soybean meal, Dehull, Solv Extr
0.36 Fat, A/V blend
3.00 Premix, 3% incl.

You can review the nutrient levels in the stored diets by clicking the 3. Diet Data Base
button at the top of the screen. Up to 25 diets can be stored that have been generated with the
feed formulation system. In addition, diet nutrient levels can be entered directly for another 25
diets (diets 26 to 50), bypassing the feed formulation system. For diets 26 to 50 nutrient levels
can be added in columns U to BT in a manner that is identical to that used for ingredients.
You may check the levels of key nutrients in the Typical gestation diet as well as an
alternative Low protein gestation diet:

ME SID Fermentable STTD P Total Total P, Carbon,

kcal/kg Lys Fiber, % % crude % %
% protein,
%
CoSBM Early Gest 3300 0.50 8.52 0.33 12.00 0.57 39.31
CoSBM Late Gesta 3300 0.65 9.59 0.35 14.36 0.59 39.42
1 Phase gestation 3300 0.62 9.41 0.34 13.96 0.59 39.40
a
If the CoSBM Late Gest diet is not stored in the diet data base, then it can be added: click 2. Formulate Diet,
enter following Diet Name CoSBM Late Gest, and under ingredients add 16.00% Soybean meal, Dehull, Solv
Extr 0.38% Fat A/V blend and 3.00% Premix 3% incl. as ingredients. Nutrient levels should be identical to the
values in this table.

34
 To review and create feeding programs click 4. Create Feeding Program at the top of the
screen.
Click the white cell following Feeding program Name and using the pull-down menu
select Gest CoSBM. The following information should now be displayed:

Feeding program name GestCoSBM

Category of swine Gestating
Number of phases 2

Start feeding at Diet name

Day
Phase 1 1 CoSBM Early Gest
Phase 2 90 CoSBM Late Gest

To create and save a new feeding program for gestating sows, type in a new feeding
program name (1 phase) in the white cell following Feeding program name. Then select
Gestating following Category of swine and enter 1 following Number of phases. Then select 1
Phase gestation under Diet name. Finally, click Save Program to add it to the database.
Now that feeding programs have been reviewed, the models can be used to compare the
supply of dietary nutrients according to the feeding program with model-generated estimates of
nutrient requirements, and to estimate nutrient losses into the environment. These aspects will be
explored in subsequent case studies (sections Evaluate the environmental impact of alternative
feeding programs and Evaluate the effect of using high-fiber coproducts on threonine
requirements and energy utilization in finishing pigs).

EVALUATE THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF ALTERNATIVE FEEDING

PROGRAMS

In pork production it is becoming increasingly important to reduce nutrient losses into the
environment. To explore N losses in gestating sows, a simple one-phase feeding program will be
compared to an alternative two-phase feeding program.
Make sure that the appropriate nutrient systems are chosen. To do this, navigate to the
Main Menu and under Step I use the three pull down menus to select ME for energy, SID for
amino acids, and STTD for phosphorus.

35
 Under Step II, select Yes following Do you wish to evaluate a feeding program? Under
Step III select Gestating sows. Ensure that the following information is now displayed, and
make the appropriate adjustments if needed. Probably, the pull-down menu in the white cell
following Select feeding program will need to be used to select the 1Phase feeding program (see
section Use of the Feeding Program & Diet Formulation module). You may be prompted to
click OK to confirm start day in the Feed intake section

Diet characteristics that affect nutrient requirements

Select feeding program 1Phase
Sow performance:
Sow body weight at breeding, kg 165
Parity 2
Gestation length, day 114
Anticipated litter size 13.5
Anticipated birth weight, kg/pig 1.4
Feed intake
Feed intake / (feed intake + feed wastage) 0.95

Start day 1 30 60 90
Feed intake + feed wastage, kg/day 2.210 2.210 2.210 2.610

Consider housing conditions & environmental No

temperature?
Match observed with predicted performance? No

Now run the model (click Calculate) before entering results in the table below. The
values for Initial day and Final day should be entered under RESULTS in the section Range in
days for estimating nutrient requirements. To access under RESULTS the section Nutrient
balance over the entire gestation period scroll to the right. To return to data-entry fields click
Home at the top of the screen. For Scenario 2 simply select Gest CoSBM following Select
feeding Program under INPUTS, run the model and enter the results.

Scenario 1 2
Inputs
Feeding program 1 Phase Gest CoSBM
Results

36
Initial day 1 1 90 1 1 90
Final day 114 89 114 114 89 114
Avge feed intake + wastage, kg/day
Avge total body weight gain, g/day 526 527
Avge SID Lys requirement, %
SID Lys level in diet on final day, %
Nitrogen intake & waste, kg/sow - - - -
Nitrogen excretion, kg/sow 4.61 - - 4.03 - -

How does the change from a one-phase feeding program to a two-phase feeding program
affect sow performance and nitrogen excretion? Discuss advantages and disadvantages of
moving from a one-phase to a two-phase feeding program.

EVALUATE THE EFFECT OF USING HIGH-FIBER COPRODUCTS ON THREONINE

REQUIREMENTS AND ENERGY UTILIZATION IN FINISHING PIGS

To assess the effect of dietary fiber level on energy and nutrient utilization in growing
pigs, evaluate the ingredient composition and nutrient levels in a standard corn and soybean
meal-based diet, generate an alternative diet that contains Corn DDGS and wheat shorts, and
then evaluate the effect of these diets on performance and nutrient requirements.
Make sure that the appropriate nutrient systems are chosen. To do this, navigate to the
Main Menu and under Step I use the three pull down menus to select ME for energy, SID for
amino acids, and STTD for phosphorus. Under step II, select Yes following Do you wish to
evaluate a feeding program?, and then click Review Feeding Programs
Under 1. Select ingredients, ensure that the following ingredients are included in the list
below the heading Ingredients: Corn, Yellow Dent; Soybean meal Dehull, Sol Extr.; Barley;
Wheat, Hard Red; Wheat Shorts, Corn DDGS, >6% and < 9% Oil; Canola meal, Solvent
Extracted; Fat, A/V blend; Premix 3% incl. If not, add at least Corn, Yellow Dent; Soybean meal
Dehull, Sol Extr.; Wheat Shorts, Corn DDGS, >6% and < 9% Oil; Fat, A/V blend; Premix 3%
incl. to the list, using the drop-down menus in the white data-entry fields.
Under 2. Formulate Diet ensure that the diet CoSBM 50-75 kg BW is included, by
selecting it using the pull-down menu, following Diet Name. The ingredient composition and
contents of key nutrient should be identical to the values presented in the table below.

37
 Generate a new high-fiber diet based on the ingredient composition shown in the table
below. To do this, type in the diet name (High fiber 50-75), respond No when asked to clear the
ingredient list, select the ingredients below the heading Ingredients and enter the inclusion levels
that are specified in the table below. Then click Save Diet to add the new diet to the data base.
To calculate the NE contents of these diets, return to the Main Menu, under Step I select
Net energy (NE) for energy system, return to Review Feeding Program and 2. Formulate Diet,
select the appropriate diet and record the results.

Diet Name
CoSBM 50-75 kg BW High fiber 50-75
Inclusion Ingredient Inclusion Ingredient
level (%) level (%)
72.04 Corn, Yellow Dent 30.55 Corn, Yellow Dent
24.40 Soybean meal, Dehull, Solv Extr 16.45 Soybean meal, Dehull, Solv Extr
0.56 Fat, A/V blend 30.00 Corn DDGS, >6 and <9% Oil
3.00 Premix, 3% incl. 20.00 Wheat Shorts
3.00 Premix
Metabolizable energy (ME) 3300 kcal/kg Metabolizable energy (ME) 3177 kcal/kg
Net energy (NE) 2478 kcal/kg Net energy (NE) 2281 kcal/kg
SID Lys 0.85 % SID Lys 0.82 %
SID Thr 0.54 % SID Thr 0.61 %
SID Lys to ME ratio 2.588 g/Mcal SID Lys to ME ratio 2.588 g/Mcal

Under 4. Create Feeding Program, ensure that the feeding program named GFCoSBMwt
is included. The list of feeding programs can be accessed using the pull-down menu in the white
cell following Feeding program name. For this feeding program, the following information
should be displayed:

Feeding program name GFCoSBMwt

Category of swine Grow+Finish
Number of phases 4
Organized by Weight

Start feeding at Diet name

BW, kg
Phase 1 20 CoSBM 25-50kg BW
Phase 2 50 CoSBM 50-75kg BW
Phase 3 75 CoSBM 75-100kg BW
Phase 4 100 CoSBM 100-130kg BW

38
 Create an alternative feeding program by entering GF co-prod following Feeding
program name. Then enter the information that is presented in the table below and click Save
Program.

Feeding program name GF co-prod

Category of swine Grow+Finsh
Number of phases 4
Organized by Weight

Start feeding at Diet name

BW, kg
Phase 1 20 CoSBM 25-50kg BW
Phase 2 50 Hi fiber 50-75
Phase 3 75 CoSBM 75-100kg BW
Phase 4 100 CoSBM 100-130kg BW

To evaluate these feeding programs, click Main Menu, make sure for energy systems
ME is chosen, and Yes is selected following Do you wish to evaluate a feeding program? Then
select the model for Growing-Finishing Pigs.
Ensure the following information is provided under INPUTSa:

Diet characteristics that affect nutrient requirements

Select feeding program GFCoSBMwt
Gender
Gilts & Barrows
Feed intake
Feed intake / (feed intake + feed wastage) 0.95
Options
Use predicted intake as model input
Gender: Gilts & barrows
Consider environmental temperature? No
Consider pig space? No
Immunized against GnRH? No
Feed Ractopamine? No
Whole body protein deposition (Pd) pattern
Options Use default Pd pattern for each gender
Gender Gilts & barrows

Match observed with predicted performance? No

39
Present observed growth performance?
Options Do not consider
a
These inputs can be reloaded quickly by clicking on Enter Defaults Inputs. In that case, inputs on the Main
Menu are changed as well; return to Main Menu and select Yes following Do you wish to evaluate a feeding
program?

Click Calculate at the top of the screen. The screen has now automatically moved to the
results and you may scroll to the right of the screen to display results more fully. Record results
observed between 50 and 75 kg body weight (under RESULTS and in the section Range in body
weight for estimating nutrient requirements enter 50 and 75 for Initial body weight and Final
body weight, respectively). To return to data-entry fields click Home at the top of the screen.
First enter results for the current ME system, and change to the Co-product feeding
program, using the pull-down menu in the white cell following Select feeding program under
INPUTS, and click on Calculate at the top of the screen after each change.
To change to the NE system, go to the Main Menu and under Step I select Net energy
(NE) following Energy and then choose the model for Growing-finishing pigs to run the model
again for the two feeding programs.

ME system NE system
Feeding program CoSBM Coproduct CoSBM Coproduct
Specified in RESULTS and section Range in body weight for estimating nutrient requirements: Initial
body weight: 50 kg; Final body weight: 75kg
Results
Average diet ME content, kcal/kg 3300 3182 - -
Average ME intake, kcal/day 6992 6992 - -
Average diet NE content, kcal/kg - - 2477 2294
Average NE intake, kcal/day - -
Average feed intake + wastage, kg/day
Average body weight gain, g/day
Average gain:(feed intake + wastage)
Avg. whole body protein deposition, g/day
Avg. whole body lipid deposition, g/day
Average SID Lys requirement, %
Average SID Lys requirement, g/day
Average SID Thr requirements,ratio to Lys 62.1 65.6 62.1 66.1
× 100

40
 How and why are feed intakes (average feed intakes + wastage) different among feeding
programs and energy systems?

When using the ME system, how does feed efficiency [gain/(feed intake + wastage)]
differ between the CoSBM and the coproduct feeding programs? Is this consistent with
differences in diet ME content?

Calculate the ratio between NE an ME content for the two diets. Why is this ratio lower
for the coproduct feeding program than for the CoSBM feeding program?

When using the NE system, how does feed efficiency [gain/feed intake + wastage)] differ
between the CoSBM and the coproduct feeding programs? Is this consistent with differences in
diet NE content? Based on these considerations, are diets better formulated using the NE system
than the ME system?

When using the ME system, how do Lys and Thr requirements differ between the two
feeding programs? Why?

Why is the increase in the optimum Thr to Lys ratio slightly higher in the NE system than
in the ME system?

41