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Further Studies on the Supplementary Value of Aureomycin, Streptomycin, and Vitamin B₁₂ in a Plant Protein Ration for Growing-Fattening Pigs¹

Purdue University Agricultural Experiment Station

Abstract

Healthy, vigorous forty-four-lb. weanling pigs were fed various combinations of aureomycin, streptomycin and vitamin B₁₂ concentrate in an all-plant protein ration composed of yellow corn, soybean meal, alfalfa meal, cod liver oil, essential minerals and the three well-known B-vitamins.

Pigs fed the basal ration gained 1.62 lb. per head daily on a feed requirement of 392 lb. per 100 lb. gain. The addition of 15 mg. of pure streptomycin per lb. of total ration or of 10 mg. of pure aureomycin per lb. significantly increased the average daily gain about 11 to 13% and increased the feed efficiency about 14 to 16%.

The addition of 12.5 mcg. vitamin B₁₂ per lb. of total ration (0.1% Merck's B₁₂ supplement) to the basal ration containing either aureomycin or streptomycin improved the growth significantly above the basal ration but only slightly above the ration containing either antibiotic. The slight growth stimulatory effect of vitamin B₁₂ in the presence of the antibiotic observed in this trial, compared with that observed in a previous experiment, may be attributed either to the greater reserve storage of vitamin B₁₂ in the heavier pigs used at the start of the test, or to the vitamin B₁₂ in the soil and left-over manure in the half-paved cattle lots, or both.

The supplementation of the practical (basal) ration for pigs with each of the two antibiotics and/or vitamin B₁₂ produced more uniform response, and provided some natural protection against bloody dysentery which infected the basal-fed pigs during the last 4 weeks of the experiment.

¹ Contribution from the Department of Animal Husbandry, Journal Paper No. 550, Purdue University Agricultural Experiment Station, Lafayette, Indiana.

² The authors are grateful to Merck and Co., Rahway, N. J., for supplying the three B-vitamins and streptomycin; to Lederle Laboratories, Pearl River, N. Y., for furnishing the aureomycin; and to Mr. Martin Mohler, Animal Nutrition foreman, for his capable assistance in conducting this trial.