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，以检查密切满足妊娠期间和产次间个体母猪不断变化的营养需求的长期效益，在群舍系统中管理，并使用计算机控制的电子母猪饲喂器（ESF）。 本研究将全面评价当ESF用于以下目的时母猪的生长和繁殖性能、福利、行为和身体状况：1）通过在整个妊娠期间饲喂常规的一期饲喂计划来管理母猪（对照）或2）随着整个妊娠期间营养需求的变化，每日调整个体母猪的饲喂水平和营养能量比（精确饲喂）。后者将通过基于目标体重增加以不同比例混合0.2% SID Lys和0.8% SID Lys饲料来实现。 将在整个哺乳期沿着监测母猪性能、行为和增重，并评价断奶前仔猪性能。该项目旨在监测在研究开始时使用ESF的经产母猪连续3次产次。 将使用每胎12头对照母猪和12头精密饲喂母猪的10窝仔猪评估母猪后代性能。 这些仔猪将根据个体窝仔（母猪）进行圈养，在整个生产的起始、生长和肥育阶段进行管理。 还将评估子代的稳健性（对病原体挑战的易感性）沿着肠道健康和起始阶段的发育。 将进行全面的胴体和肉类质量评估，包括里脊肉和培根质量评估。 还将确定妊娠期和哺乳期的估计氮、磷和碳平衡以及饲料成本的边际，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的母猪管理如何影响母猪的终身生产力和在牛群中的保留，并将其影响传递给后代的生长性能和胴体和肉质。 使用ESF进行母猪管理有可能提高动物福利和生猪生产者的回报，同时为消费者生产更优质的猪肉。**. **********************

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. **. **********************