IMPROVING NUTRIENT UTILIZATION AND FEED EFFICIENCY THROUGH RESEARCH AND EXTENSION TO ENHANCE PIG INDUSTRY SUSTAINABILITY COMPETITIVENESS
Project Number: 5030-31000-004-35
Start Date: Apr 01, 2011
End Date: Mar 31, 2014
1. Quantify the performance of pigs selected for increased feed efficiency under corn-soybean diets when fed lower quality by-product ingredients (higher fiber, lower fat).
2. Evaluate the ability of pigs selected for increased efficiency to cope with behavioral, physiological, and immunological stressors.
3. Develop industry-ready tools to easily and effectively identify and select more efficient pigs.
4. Increase pork producers’ awareness of the factors influencing feed efficiency and strategies available to achieve improvement.
5. Ensure the rapid and effective implementation of new technologies to improve feed efficiency both nationally and internationally.
Genetic lines of pigs that are divergent in residual feed intake will be evaluated for nutrient utilization and response to various stressors. Different dietary regimens will also be investigated in the different genetic lines of pigs. The USDA/ARS scientists will participate in conducting the nutrient balance study portions of the overall experiment. The university collaborators will be responsible for the extension components of the research. This research will consist of both live animal studies and laboratory analyses.