Precision feeding of gestating sows: Use of electronic sow feeders to reduced feed costs and nutrient losses into the environment, while improving sow productivity and welfare

将进行一项为期3年的研究，以检查在群舍系统中管理并使用计算机控制的电子母猪喂食器（ESF）密切满足妊娠期和跨胎母猪不断变化的营养需求的长期效益。本研究将综合评估ESF在以下两种情况下的母猪生长和繁殖性能、福利、行为和身体状况：1)在整个妊娠期通过传统的一期饲喂计划来管理母猪（对照）；2)在妊娠期随着营养需求的变化，每天调整单个母猪的饲喂水平和营养能量比（精确饲喂）。后者将根据目标增重情况，以不同比例混合0.2% SID赖氨酸和0.8% SID赖氨酸饲粮。在整个哺乳期间，将监测母猪的生产性能、行为和体重增加，同时评估断奶仔猪的生产性能。该项目旨在监测连续3胎使用ESF的母猪，在研究开始时使用初产母猪。将使用每胎次12头对照母猪和12头精密饲养母猪的10头仔猪来评估母猪后代的生产性能。这些仔猪将根据单窝（母猪）进行圈养，并在生产的起始、生长和育肥阶段进行管理。在起始阶段，还将评估后代的健壮性（对病原体挑战的敏感性）以及肠道健康和发育。将进行胴体和肉质综合评价，包括腰肉和腊肉质量评价。还将确定妊娠期和哺乳期估计的氮、磷和碳平衡以及超过饲料成本的边际，以评估对环境和生产者盈利能力的影响。这项工作的最终目标是研究使用ESF管理母猪如何影响母猪的终身生产力和保留率，并对其后代的生长性能、胴体和肉品质产生遗传影响。使用ESF进行母猪管理有可能改善动物福利和养猪生产者的回报，同时为消费者生产更高质量的猪肉。**。**********************

A 3 year study will be conducted to examine long-term benefits for closely meeting changing nutrient requirements of individual sows during gestation and across parities, managed in a group housing system and using computer controlled electronic sow feeders (ESF). The study will comprehensively evaluate sow growth and reproductive performance, welfare, behavior, and body condition when ESF are used to: 1) manage sows by feeding a conventional one -phase feeding program throughout gestation (Control) or 2) daily adjust feeding levels and nutrient to energy ratios for individual sows as nutrient demands change throughout gestation (Precision fed). The latter will be achieved by blending 0.2% SID Lys and 0.8% SID Lys diets in varying proportions based on targeted weight gains. Sow performance, behavior, and weight gain will be monitored throughout lactation along with evaluating pre-weaning piglet performance. The project is designed to monitor sows using ESF for 3 consecutive parities using primiparous sows at the start of the study. Sow progeny performance will be assessed using litters of 10 piglets from 12 Control sows and 12 Precision Fed sows per parity. These piglets will be penned based on individual litter (sow) to be managed throughout starter, grower, and finisher phases of production. Progeny will also be assessed for robustness (susceptibility to a pathogen challenge) along with gut health and development in the starter phase. Comprehensive carcass and meat quality evaluation will be conducted including loin and bacon quality assessments. Estimated nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon balance during gestation and lactation and margin over feed costs will also be determined to assess impacts on the environment and producer profitability. The ultimate goal of this work is to examine how sow management using ESF can impact lifetime sow productivity and retention in the herd, and carry over effects on to her progeny for growth performance and carcass and meat quality. Use of ESF for sow management has potential to improve animal welfare and returns for pig producers while producing better quality pork for consumers. **. **********************