PSIV-9 Effect of Increasing the Level of a Modified Corn Protein on Nursery Pig Growth Performance, Feed Efficiency, and Fecal Dry Matter

A total of 360 barrows (DNA Line 200×400; initially 6.1±0.05 kg) were used in a 38-d study to evaluate the effects of increasing levels of a modified corn protein product on nursery pig growth performance and fecal dry matter. Upon arrival to the nursery research facility, pigs were randomly assigned to pens (5 pigs/pen) and pens were randomly allotted to 6 dietary treatments (12 pens/treatment). Experimental diets were fed in 2 phases. Phase 1 (d 0-10) diets were formulated to contain 3, 6, 9, 12, or 15% of a modified corn protein or 6% enzymatically treated soybean meal (ESBM). Additions of the modified protein product and ESBM were reduced by 50% for phase 2 (d 10 to 25) diets and were: 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0, 7.5, and 3.0%, respectively. Nutrient loading values were provided by the supplier and diets were formulated to maximize L-Lysine HCl while keeping SID Lys:CP and SID AA:Lys similar across treatments. A common phase 3 diet was fed from d 25-38. During the experimental period (d 0-25), ADG (quadratic, P = 0.030) and ADFI (quadratic, P = 0.036) increased, and G:F worsened (linear, P = 0.006) as the amount of modified corn protein increased. For the overall experiment (d 0-38), ADG (quadratic, P = 0.028) and ADFI (quadratic, P = 0.032) increased then decreased and G:F tended to decrease (linear, P = 0.066) with increasing modified corn protein. There was a marginally significant treatment×day interaction (quadratic, P = 0.064) where fecal DM tended to increase (P = 0.051) on d 25 as the level of the modified corn protein was increased, but no evidence for change on d 10 (P > 0.10). These data suggest that the modified corn protein tested in this trial may be an alternative protein source to consider for nursery pig diets, when fed up to 12% in phase 1 and 6% in phase 2.