Abstract
Liquid feeding has many potential benefits over conventional dry feeding of pigs, such as improved gut health, use of inexpensive liquid co-products from the food and biofuel industry, flexibility and ease of feed delivery, and manipulation of feeding value of ingredients with enzymes and microbial inoculants. These benefits can result in improved growth performance and feed efficiency, reduce the reliance on feeding antibiotics and improve public views on pork production and pork products. In the province of Ontario, Canada, about 20% of growingfinishing pigs are currently raised on liquid feeding systems and experience has been gained with liquid feeding corn-based diets. Based on growth performance of high health status pigs, there is limited benefit of liquid feeding corn-based diets to growing-finishing pigs. This is in contrast to European findings, where swine liquid feeding research is more focused on wheatand barley-based diets. Recent research shows that liquid feeding allows for an effective use of liquid corn distillers solubles and corn steep water. In general, and when used at 15% or less of feed dry matter content, the use of corn distillers solubles and corn steep water does not result in major changes in pig growth performance, or carcass and meat quality. The feeding value of wheat shorts appears improved in liquid fed pigs. There is potential to further enhance the value of feed ingredients for the pig by steeping with enzymes and controlled fermentation with microbial inoculants. Uncontrolled (proteolytic) fermentation which contributes to reduced feed palatability and nutritional value of liquid feeds can be minimized via control of feed pH and lactic acid content. When using liquid feeding systems, pigs should have access to an additional source of water. Management of liquid feeding systems requires computer and engineering skills and attention to detail, especially when using co-products with variable nutrient content.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Beal, J. D., S. J. Niven, A. Campbell, and P. H. Brooks. 2002. The effect of temperature on the growth and persistence of Salmonella in fermented liquid pig feed. International Journal of Food Microbiology 79:99–104.
Big Dutchman. 2012. Pig feeding systems. http://www.bigdutchman.de/en/pig/products/feeding-systems. html (accessed February 1, 2012).
Braun, K. and C. F. M. De Lange. 2004. Co-products used in swine liquid feeding: aspects of food safety and nutritional value. Pages 205–222 in Proc. 2004. Eastern Nutrition Conference. Animal Nutrition Association of Canada, Ottawa, Canada. K2P 1P1 (and www.slfa.ca).
Brooks, P. H., J. D. Beal, and S. J. Niven. 2001. Liquid feeding for pigs: potential for reducing environmental impact and improving productivity and food safety. Pages 49–63 in Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition in Australia, Vol. 13, ed by Corbett J. L. University of New England, Armidale, Australia.
Canibe, N. and B. B. Jensen. 2003. Fermented and nonfermented liquid feed to growing pigs: effect on aspects of gastrointestinal ecology and growth performance. J. Anim. Sci. 81:2019–2031.
Canibe. N., O. Holberg, J. H. Badsberg, and B. B. Jensen. 2007. Effect of feeding fermented liquid feed and fermented grain on gastrointestinal ecology and growth performance in piglets. J. Anim. Sc. 85:2959–2971.
Columbus, D., J. Zhu, D. Woods, J. Squire, E. Jeaurond, and C. F. M. De Lange. 2006. On-farm experience with swine liquid feeding: research unit at Arkell Swine research station at the University of Guelph. Pages 189–198 in Proc. 2006 London Swine Conference, London, Ontario, Canada (www. londonswineconference.ca).
Columbus, D., S. J. Niven, C. Zhu, and C. F. M. De Lange. 2010a. Phosphorus utilization in starter pigs fed high-moisture corn-based liquid diets steeped with phytase. J. Anim. Sci. 88:3964–3976.
Columbus, D., S. J. Niven, C. Zhu, J. R. Pluske and C. F. M. De Lange. 2010b. Body weight gain and nutrient utilization in starter pigs that are liquid-fed high-moisture corn-based diets supplemented with phytase. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 90:45–55.
De Lange, C. F. M. 2000. Characterization of the non-starch polysaccharides in feeds. Pages 77–92 in Feed evaluation — principles and practice. P.J. Moughan, M.W.A. Verstegen and M. Visser-Reyneveld, ed. Wageningen Pers, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
De Lange, C. F. M., C.H. Zhu, S. Niven, D. Columbus, and D. Woods. 2006. Swine Liquid Feeding: Nutritional Considerations. Pages 37–50 in Proc. 27th Western Nutrition Conference. Department of Animal Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada (and www.slfa.ca).
Fontaine, J., U. Zimmer, P. J. Moughan, and S. M. Rutherfurd. 2007. Effect of heat damage in an autoclave on the reactive lysine contents of soy products and corn distillers dried grains with solubles. Use of the results to check on lysine damage in common qualities of these ingredients. J. Agric. Food Chem. 55:10737–10743.
Geary, T. M., P. H. Brooks, D. T. Morgan, A. Campbell, and P. J. Russell. 1996. Performance of weaner pigs fed ad libitum with liquid feed at different dry matter concentrations. J. Sci. Food Agric. 72:17–24.
Gill, B. P. 1988. Water use by pigs managed under various conditions of housing, feeding and nutrition. Ph.D. Thesis. Seale-Hayne College, Plymouth, UK.
Guimaraes, J., C. L. Zhu, D. Wey and C. F. M. De Lange. 2010. Calcium chloride reduces the negative impact of feeding high potassium and co-product containing diets to finishing pigs. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 88 (Suppl. 2; Abstracts):379.
Hampshire, 2012. Liquid feeding systems for pigs. http://www.hampshirefeedingsystems.com (accessed February 1, 2012).
Jensen, B. B. and L. L. Mikkelsen, L.L. 1998. Feeding liquid diets to pigs. Pages 107–126 in Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition. P. C. Garnsworthy and J. Wiseman, eds. Nottingham University Press, Loughborough, UK.
Missotten J. A., J. Michiels, A. Ovyn, S. De Smet, and N. A. Dierick. 2010. Fermented liquid feed for pigs. Arch. Anim. Nutr. 64:437–66.
MLC (Meat and Livestock commission). 2003. General guidelines on liquid feeding for pigs. British Pig Executive, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2TL, UK.
MLC (Meat and Livestock commission). 2005. Finishing pigs — systems research. Final report to Defra, August 2005. British Pig Executive, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2TL, UK.
Niven, S. J., J. D. Beal and P. H. Brooks. 2006a. The effect of controlled fermentation on the fate of synthetic lysine in liquid diets for pigs. Anim. Feed Sci.Techn. 129:304–315.
Niven, S. J., C. Zhu, D. Columbus, O. Izquirde and C. F. M. De Lange. 2006b. Chemical composition and phosphorus release of corn steep water during phytase steeping. J. Anim. Sci. 84 (Suppl. 1; Abstracts):429.
Niven, S. J., C. Zhu, D. Columbus, and C. F. M. De Lange. 2007. Impact of controlled fermentation and steeping of high-moisture corn on its nutritional value for pigs. Livest. Prod. Sci. 109:166–169.
Pedersen, A. O., N. Canibe, I. D. Hansen, and M. D. Aaslying. 2002. Fermented Liquid Feed for Finishers — Pelleted Feed, vol. 1. The National Committee for Pig Production, Copenhagen.
Russell, P. J., T. M. Geary, P. H. Brooks, and A. Campbell. 1996. Performance, water use and effluent output of weaner pigs fed with either dry pellets or liquid feed and the role of microbial activity in the liquid feed. J. Sci. Food Agric. 72:8–16.
Scholten, R. H. J., C. M. C. Van der Peet-Schwering, M. W. A. Verstegen, L. A. den Hartog, J. W. Schrama, and P. C. Vesseur. 1999. Fermented co-products and fermented compound diets for pigs: a review. Anim. Feed Sci. Tech. 82:1–19.
Scholten, R. 2001. Fermentation of liquid diets for pigs. Ph.D. Thesis. Wageningen University, the Netherlands.
SLFA (Swine Liquid Feeding Association). 2012. www.slfa.ca (Accessed February 1, 2012).
Squire, J. M. 2005. Fermentation of an alternative feedstuff for use in swine liquid feeding. M.Sc. Thesis. Department of Animal and Poultry Science University of Guelph. Guelph, ON, Canada.
Squire, J. M., C. Zhu, and C. F. M. De Lange. 2004. Fermentation of an alternative feedstuff for us in swine liquid feeding: Condensed corn distillers solubles. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 84 (Abstracts):782.
Squire, J. M., C. L. Zhu, E. A. Jeaurond, and C. F. M. De Lange. 2005. Condensed corn distillers’ solubles in swine liquid feeding: growth performance and carcass quality. J. Anim. Sci. 83 (Suppl. 1; Abstracts):165.
Van der Wolf, P. J., W. B. Wolbers, A. R. W. Elbers, H. M. J. F. Van der Heijden, J. M. C. C. Koppen, W. A. Hunneman, F. W. van Schie, and M. J. M. Tielen. 2001. Herd level husbandry factors associated with the serological Salmonella prevalence in finishing pig herds in the Netherlands. Vet. Microbiol. 78:205–219.
Van Winsen, R. L., B. A. P. Urlings, L. J. A. Lipman, J. M. A. Snijders, D. Keuzenkamp, J.M.H. Verheijden, and F. van Knapen. 2001. Effect of fermented feed on the microbial population of the gastrointestinal tracts of pigs. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 67:3071–3076.
Weda. 2012. Liquid feeding. http://www.weda.de/Produkte/Fluessigfuetterung.aspx (accessed February 1, 2012).
Woods, T. D. 2008. Liquid feeding of newly weaned pigs with corn and soybean meal based diets. M.Sc. Thesis. Department of Animal and Poultry Science University of Guelph. Guelph, ON, Canada.
Zhu, C. H., D. Wey, R. Friendship, and C. F. M. De Lange. 2010. Impact of fineness of grinding of corn and high-moisture corn on growth performance, carcass characteristics and stomach lesions in liquid-fed growing-finishing pigs. Proc. 21st International Pig Veterinary Society Congress. July 2010, Vancouver, Canada.
Zhu, C. L. M. Rudar, D. Wey, and C. F. M. De Lange. 2011. Glucanase, xylanase and microbial inoculants improve feeding value of DDGS for liquid-fed finishing pigs. J. Anim. Sci. 89 (Suppl. 1; Abstracts):78.
Acknowledgements
The swine liquid feeding research program at the University of Guelph is supported by a number of organizations, including Swine Liquid Feeding Association, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Ontario Pork, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) Food Safety Research Program, OMAFRA & University of Guelph Research Partnership Program, Swine Innovation Porc, AB Agri. Ltd., Agribrands Purina Canada Inc., Big Dutchman, B.S.C. Nutrition, Chris Hansen Animal Health and Nutrition, Casco Inc./Corn Products International, Daco laboratories Inc., Dwyer Manufacturing Ltd., Farmix Ltd., Grand Valley Fortifiers, Furst McNess Co. Ltd. Great Lakes Nutrition/Wallenstein Feeds, Kenpal Farm Products Inc. and Lallemand Specialties Inc./Institute Rosell A number of students, post-doctoral fellows and technical support staff have contributed to this program, including J. Zhu, D. Wey, S. Niven, M. Or-Rashid, J. Squire, D. Columbus, D. Woods, J. Guimaraes, M. Rudar and K. de Ridder.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Wageningen Academic Publishers The Netherlands
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
de Lange, C.F.M., Zhu, C.H. (2012). Liquid feeding corn-based diets to growing pigs: practical considerations and use of co-products. In: Patience, J.F. (eds) Feed efficiency in swine. Wageningen Academic Publishers, Wageningen. https://doi.org/10.3920/978-90-8686-756-1_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3920/978-90-8686-756-1_3
Publisher Name: Wageningen Academic Publishers, Wageningen
Online ISBN: 978-90-8686-756-1
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)