Abstract A total of 86 sows (DNA 241, DNA Genetics, Columbus, NE) were used to determine the effects of a cheese co-product (Pro-88, Key Manufacturing, Paris, IL) added to lactation diets on sow and litter performance. Sows, in three separate farrowing groups, were moved into the farrowing house and blocked by parity on d 112 ± 1 of gestation. There were 42 to 44 replications per treatment. Sows then were assigned to one of two dietary treatments which consisted of a standard corn-soybean meal-based lactation diet (control) or the control with 4% added cheese co-product at the expense of soybean meal and corn such that the dietary SID Lys (1.05%) was the same without changing L-Lys HCl. Sows were fed 2.7 kg of the control diet until farrowing and then were switched to their assigned treatment diet on d 2 of lactation after cross-fostering was completed. Sows were given ad libitum access to their assigned treatment diet until weaning (approximately d 18 of lactation). The addition of a cheese co-product in lactation diets did not affect (P 0.10) sow weight, backfat, or loin depth change from entry to weaning. Dietary treatment did not affect (P 0.10) sow ADFI or their subsequent wean-to-estrus interval. Litter size at weaning, pre-wean mortality, and piglet and litter weights at weaning were not affected (P 0.10) by dietary treatment. In conclusion, the addition of a cheese co-product in lactation diets did not positively or negatively influence sow or litter performance.
Privett et al. (Wed,) studied this question.