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A major Midwest university recently completed a baby pig trial that compared MP722 and a larger particle size plasma, APC Appetein. The objective of the trial was to determine if there are performance differences in pigs due to plasma color, plasma particle size or both. Trial data are presented on the reverse side. Effect of Plasma Source on Weaned Pig Performance Trial Design: The trial was designed to evaluate pig performance under a typical U.S. swine production system. 150 pigs were weaned at 17 days of age on a commercial farm. They were then transported over 600 miles (for added stress) to the university nursery facility where the trial was conducted. The 18 day old pigs were randomly assigned to treatment and replication. Each plasma treatment was randomly assigned to 10 pens (replicates) of 5 pigs per pen. Phase I diets were fed for the first 14 days of the trial. Each Phase I diet contained 3.5% plasma from the respective plasma source. Phase II diets were fed for the next 14 days (days 15 - 28) of the trial. Phase II diets did not contain any plasma.
Trial Results:
Phase I diets were fed for the first 14 days (each Phase I diet had 3.5% plasma from the respective plasma source), followed by a common Phase II diet for days 15-28. Diets were formulated to provide equal protein, amino acids, and calories among the different treatment diets. Trial data demonstrate that none of the performance differences observed among the plasma sources were statistically significant. In other words, no animal performance differences could be found between Merrick's MP722 and Appetein. Plasma particle size did not affect feed intake or growth of the baby pigs |
