HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Noland, P. R. Articles by Morrison, F. B. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Noland, P. R. Articles by Morrison, F. B.

Vitamin and Mineral Supplements for Growing and Fattening Pigs in Drylot

Cornell University³

Abstract

A series of experiments was conducted with a growing and fattening dry lot ration containing no feeds of animal origin. This ration was improved in three different trials by adding small amounts of four trace minerals (cobalt, copper, iron, and manganese) or allowing the pigs free access to fresh cow manure or sod and dirt. The pigs fed trace minerals made somewhat more rapid gains, but the difference in the effectiveness of these three supplements was not statistically significant.

A highly significant increase in rate of gain was obtained in four trials when the four trace minerals were added to the basal ration. This supplement also reduced the feed required for a unit of gain.

In two trials, the substitution of meat scraps for a part of the soybean oil meal in the basal ration was no more effective in correcting the deficiencies of the basal ration than addition of the four trace minerals to the basal ration.

Vitamin B₁₂ supplements containing either aureomycin or streptomycin were also compared with the plant-protein ration containing trace minerals. The supplement which contained aureomycin was most effective in improving the rate of gain of pigs from weaning to 100 pounds. During the entire period from weaning to 180 pounds very little improvement in rate of gain was produced by this supplement. Considerable improvement in efficiency of gain was noted when this supplement was added to the basal ration.

Similarly, pigs fed a ration containing meat scraps and the aureomycin-vitamin B₁₂ supplement gained somewhat faster during the period from weaning to 100 pounds than those pigs fed the meat scraps ration and trace minerals. From weaning to 180 pounds the supplemented lot gained no faster than the lot fed the meat scraps ration alone. No improvement in economy of gain was produced by the supplement. In both lots receiving the aureomycin-vitamin Big supplement, the most beneficial effect on rate of gain was obtained in the period from weaning to 100 pounds. In neither lot were the differences in rates of gain statistically significant.

A vitamin B₁₂ supplement which contained streptomycin failed to improve either the rate or efficiency of gain during the period from weaning to 100 or 180 pounds.

Some evidence is also presented which indicates that a single supplement of the four trace minerals was more effective in promoting the intestinal synthesis of vitamin B₁₂ than supplements of the four trace minerals and aureomycin or streptomycin-vitamin B₁₂ supplements.

¹ The authors wish to acknowledge the aid given by the swine farm manager, Mr. John Dunn, and his assistants in the conduct of these trials. Associate Professor C. R. Henderson was of valuable assistance in planning and analyzing the results of these experiments.

² This study was conducted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Husbandry. Present address, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas.

³ Ithaca, New York.