Growth and physiological responses of growing pigs to wheat-corn distillers dried grains with solubles1

Gaining a detailed knowledge on the impact of a feedstuff on pig growth and physiological responses is critical for its effective utilization. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of distillers dried grains with solubles derived from co-fermentation of wheat and corn (wcDDGS) on performance, carcass and visceral organ weights, whole-body O-2 consumption and heat production (HP) in growing barrows. The experimental diets were as follows: corn-soybean meal diet (Control), Control+15% wcDDGS and Control+30% wcDDGS. In Exp. 1, 48 pair-housed pigs of average BW 18.6 +/- 1.5kg (mean +/- SD) were allotted to the 3 diets (n=8). Pigs had free access to water and feed for a 28-day period during which ADG and ADFI were calculated weekly. Thereafter, 1 pig/pen was killed to measure carcass and visceral organ weights. Overall, wcDDGS linearly decreased (p<0.05) ADFI and ADG but had no effect on G:F (p>0.10). The ADFI was 1.55, 1.45 and 1.36kg/day for diets containing 0, 15 and 30% wcDDGS respectively; corresponding values for ADG were 0.79, 0.75 and 0.67kg/day respectively. A linear decline (p=0.01) in eviscerated hot carcass weight was observed as dietary wcDDGS increased. In Exp. 2, 18 pigs of average BW 20.4 +/- 2.4kg (mean +/- SD) were individually housed in metabolism crates and fed the 3 diets (n=6) at 550kcal ME kg BW(-0.60)day for a 16-day period followed by measurement of O-2 consumption using an indirect calorimeter. Diet had no effect (p>0.10) on whole-body O-2 consumption and HP. In conclusion, increasing wcDDGS content in growing pig diets linearly reduced ADFI, ADG and eviscerated hot carcass weight but had no effect on G:F, visceral organ weights or HP.