Interpretive Summary: Evaluation of fermented corn protein and its effects in either high or low branch chain amino acid to leucine ratio diets on nursery pig performance and feed intake preference

By: Ethan B Stas, Jenna A Chance, Robert D Goodband, Mike D Tokach, Jason C Woodworth, Joel M DeRouchey, Jordan T Gebhardt

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate fermented corn protein (FCP) in nursery pig diets. Fermented corn protein is produced when protein and yeast fraction syrup from ethanol production is added back to high protein dried distillers grains to further increase CP and Lys content. In the first experiment, FCP was evaluated as a replacement to enzymatically treated soybean meal. Pigs fed FCP had poorer ADG and feed efficiency compared to pigs fed enzymatically treated soybean meal. In the second experiment the effects of FCP with high or low Ile and Val (Ile + Val):Leu ratio on nursery pig performance were evaluated. Increasing levels of FCP worsened growth performance and feeding high Ile + Val:Leu ratio improved feed efficiency. In the third experiment, feed intake preference of FCP and its components were evaluated. The components of FCP includes whole stillage solids and thin stillage solids. Whole stillage solids were found to be the component of FCP negatively affecting nursery pig feed preference. Ultimately, FCP in nursery pig diets decreases growth performance, increasing Ile + Val:Leu ratio in FCP-containing diets did not impact growth, but improved feed efficiency, and whole stillage solids are the component of FCP that negatively affect feed intake.

Read the full article in Translational Animal Science.