Potential of Using Maize Cobs in Pig Diets - A Review

Kanengoni, A.T.,Chimonyo, M.,Ndimba, B.K.,Dzama, K. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2015 Animal Bioscience Vol.28 No.12

The quest to broaden the narrow range of feed ingredients available to pig producers has prompted research on the use of low cost, unconventional feedstuffs, which are typically fibrous and abundant. Maize cobs, a by-product of a major cereal grown worldwide, have potential to be used as a pig feed ingredient. Presently, maize cobs are either dumped or burnt for fuel. The major challenge in using maize cobs in pig diets is their lignocellulosic nature (45% to 55% cellulose, 25% to 35% hemicellulose, and 20% to 30% lignin) which is resistant to pigs' digestive enzymes. The high fiber in maize cobs (930 g neutral detergent fiber/kg dry matter [DM]; 573 g acid detergent fiber/kg DM) increases rate of passage and sequestration of nutrients in the fiber reducing their digestion. However, grinding, heating and fermentation can modify the structure of the fibrous components in the maize cobs and improve their utilization. Pigs can also extract up to 25% of energy maintenance requirements from fermentation products. In addition, dietary fiber improves pig intestinal health by promoting the growth of lactic acid bacteria, which suppress proliferation of pathogenic bacteria in the intestines. This paper reviews maize cob composition and the effect on digestibility of nutrients, intestinal microflora and growth performance and proposes the use of ensiling using exogenous enzymes to enhance utilization in diets of pigs.

Influence of Maize Cob Inclusion Level in Pig Diets on Growth Performance and Carcass Traits of Mukota × Large White F₁ Crossbred Male Pigs

Chimonyo, M.,Kanengoni, A.T.,Dzama, K. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2001 Animal Bioscience Vol.14 No.12

A trial was conducted to evaluate the growth performance and carcass characteristics of LW ${\times}$ Mukota $F_1$ crosses when fed diets containing graded levels of maize cob meal. Sixteen LW ${\times}$ Mukota $F_1$ crossbred pigs of approximately 4.5 months of age, were randomly allocated to four diets that contained 0, 100, 200 and 300 g maize cobs/kg, which corresponded to 276.4, 360.3, 402.9 and 523.5 g NDF/kg, respectively. The pigs were fed ad libitum for 14 weeks. The diets were formulated to contain similar levels of energy (ca. 9MJ ME/kg) and protein (ca.160 g CP/kg). Average daily feed intake (ADFI), daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were monitored for 14 weeks. At slaughter, the cold dressed weight (CDM) and backfat thickness (BFT) were determined. There was no significant linear relationship (p>0.05) between level of cob inclusion and ADFI. The ADG decreased as level of maize cobs increased (p<0.001). The pigs that were on 300 g cobs/kg had the highest FCR (p<0.05) as compared to pigs on the other three diets. No differences (p>0.05) were observed in the CDM between pigs that were fed diets that had 0 and 100 g maize cobs/kg. In addition, pigs on 100 and 200 g cobs/kg diets had the same CDM (p>0.05). The diet that contained 300 g cobs/kg gave the lowest (p< 0.001) CDM. Both BFT parameters showed a decrease (p<0.05) as level of maize cobs increased. An increase in CDM was associated with an increase in BFT (p<0.001), with the correlation coefficient between K7.5 and CDM being 0.84 (p<0.001). It can, therefore, be concluded that crossbred pigs perform well on diets containing up to 200 g/kg maize cobs.

Interaction effects of pen environment and sex on behavior, skin lesions and physiology of Windsnyer pigs

Mbusiseni Vusumuzi Mkwanazi,Arnold Tapera Kanengoni,Michael Chimonyo 아세아·태평양축산학회 2019 Animal Bioscience Vol.32 No.3

Objective: The study was carried to determine the interaction effects of pen enrichment and sex on behavioral activities, skin lesions and physiology of Windsnyer pigs. Methods: Forty-eight growing Windsnyer pigs of both sex, with an average initial body weight of 21.6 (±9.01) kg were used. Four pigs were randomly assigned to either enriched or barren pens at a stocking density of 0.35 m2/pig. Enriched pens contained 2 L bottles filled with stones and suspended at head level on ropes stretching across the pens. In addition, two plastic balls (90 mm in diameter) and 500 mL bottles (235 mm long) were placed on the floor of each enriched pen. Results: Pigs in barren environments had higher heart rates (p<0.001) than those in enriched pens. There was an interaction of pen environment and sex on rectal temperature (p<0.001). Females in enriched pens had higher rectal temperatures (p<0.05) than females in barren pens. There was no interaction of pen environment and sex on time spent eating and drinking (p>0.05). Time spent bullying was influenced (p<0.05) by pen environment and sex. Female pigs in barren environment spent more time on bullying than females in enriched pens. There was an interaction of pen environment and sex on time spent lying down and walking (p<0.05). Female pigs in enriched pens spent more time lying down than females in barren pens. Males in barren pens spent more time walking than males in enriched pens while no effect of pen environment was observed in females. There was an interaction of pen environment and sex on the number of skin lesions in the head, neck and shoulder region and other parts of the body (p<0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that pen enrichment reduced the number of skin lesions and anti-social behaviors, especially for female pigs. There is a need, therefore of housing indigenous pigs under confinement.

Effects of environmental enrichment on behaviour, physiology and performance of pigs — A review

Mbusiseni Vusumuzi Mkwanazi,Cypril Ndumiso Ncobela,Arnold Tapera Kanengoni,Michael Chimonyo 아세아·태평양축산학회 2019 Animal Bioscience Vol.32 No.1

This paper aims to critically analyse and synthesise existing knowledge concerning the use of environmental enrichment and its effect on behavior, physiology and performance of pigs housed in intensive production systems. The objective is also to provide clarity as to what constitutes successful enrichment and recommend when and how enrichment should be used. Environmental enrichment is usually understood as an attempt to improve animal welfare and to a lesser extent, performance. Common enrichment objects used are straw bedding, suspended ropes and wood shavings, toys, rubber tubings, colored plastic keys, table tennis balls, chains and strings. These substrates need to be chewable, deformable, destructible and ingestible. For enrichment to be successful four goals are essential. Firstly, enrichment should increase the number and range of normal behaviors; secondly, it should prevent the phenomenon of anomalous behaviors or reduce their frequency; thirdly, it should increase positive use of the environment such as space and fourthly it should increase the ability of the animals to deal with behavioral and physiological challenges. The performance, behavior and physiology of pigs in enriched environments is similar or in some cases slightly better when compared with barren environments. In studies where there was no improvement, it should be borne in mind that enriching the environment may not always be practical and yield positive results due to factors such as type of enrichment substrates, duration of provision and type of enrichment used. The review also identifies possible areas that still need further research, especially in understanding the role of enrichment, novelty, breed differences and other enrichment alternatives.

Effects of Corn Cob-based Diets on the Levels of Nutritionally Related Blood Metabolites and Onset of Puberty in Mukota and Landrace×Mukota Gilts

Mashatise, E.,Hamudikuwanda, H.,Dzama, K.,Chimonyo, M.,Kanengoni, A. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2005 Animal Bioscience Vol.18 No.10

The objective of this study was to determine the levels of nutritionally related blood metabolites, age and body weight at puberty in gilts fed on corn cob-based diet in Mukota and Landrace${\times}$Mukota crossbred gilts. Ten gilts of each of Mukota and crossbred genotypes were fed two diets for 14 weeks in a 2${\times}$2 (breed${\times}$diet) factorial treatment arrangement. A corn-cob based diet, designed to contain 2,304 kcal ME/kg, and a standard pig grower diet, were used. The corn cob constituted 20 percent of the total ration. Fortnightly, bodyweights and feed conversion ratios (FCR) were recorded. Blood samples were collected to determine blood glucose, urea and creatinine levels. The average daily bodyweight gain (ADG) in the Mukota was lower (p<0.05) than in the crossbred gilts. Crossbred gilts fed on the corn cob-based diet had lower (p<0.05) urea values from eight weeks from the start of the experiment (p<0.05) compared to Mukota gilts fed the same diet. There were no differences in blood glucose and creatinine concentrations between diets and genotypes. The lack of differences in the nutritionally-related blood metabolites suggest that corn cobs could be incorporated at 20 percent inclusion without compromising blood metabolite concentrations and age at puberty of the Mukota and Landrace${\times}$Mukota gilts.

A comparison of Echium, fish, palm, soya, and linseed oil supplementation on pork quality

van Wyngaard Barbara Elizabeth,Hugo Arno,Strydom Phillip Evert,de Witt Foch-Henri,Pohl Carolina Henritta,Kanengoni Arnold Tapera 아세아·태평양축산학회 2023 Animal Bioscience Vol.36 No.9

Objective: Long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) exert positive effects on human health. The long chain n-3 PUFA of pork can be increased by adding fish oil to the diet. Due to the cost and availability of fish oil an alternative source must be found. Methods: This study evaluated the effect of five dietary oils on meat quality, fatty acid composition and lipid stability. The five diets contained 1% palm oil (Control), 1% soya oil, 1% linseed oil, 1% fish oil, and 1% Echium oil, respectively. The trial consisted of 60 gilts, randomly allocated to five groups. Results: All color parameters, extractable fat content, fat free dry matter, and moisture content of the m. longissimus muscle were unaffected by dietary treatment. Consumers and a trained sensory panel could not detect a difference between the control samples and the Echium oil sample during sensory analysis. Samples containing higher levels of PUFA (soya, linseed, fish, and Echium oil) had higher levels of primary and secondary lipid oxidation products after refrigerated and frozen storage. However, these values were still well below the threshold value where off flavors can be detected. The Echium oil treatment had significantly higher levels of long chain PUFA than the linseed oil treatment, but it was still significantly lower than that of the fish oil treatment. Conclusion: Echium oil supplementation did not increase the levels of n-3 to the same extent as fish oil did. The result did however suggest that Echium oil can be used in pig diets to improve muscle long chain n-3 fatty acid content without any adverse effects on meat quality when compared to linseed, soya, and palm oil.