This experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of vegetable protein sources on growth performance of nursery pigs in a commercial research environment. A total of 2,592 pigs (L337 × 1050, PIC; initial BW of 5.3 ± 0.05 kg) were used in a 42-d study. Pens of pigs were blocked by BW and weaning date and allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design with 27 pigs/pen and 16 replications/treatment. A corn-soybean meal control diet with no specialty vegetable protein source was used to compare performance against 5 diets containing either 1 of 2 soy protein concentrates (XSoy 600; CJ America-Bio, Downers Grove, IL; 5.0 and 2.5%, phase 1 and 2, respectively or Soytide; CJ America-Bio, Downers Grove, IL; 5.5 and 2.75%, phase 1 and 2, respectively), enzyme-treated soybean meal (HP 300; Hamlet Protein, Findlay, OH; 5.7 and 2.83%, phase 1 and 2, respectively), fermented soybean meal (Fermex 200; Purina Animal Nutrition, Shoreview, MN; 6.7 and 3.35%, phase 1 and 2, respectively), or high-protein corn DDGs (NexPro; Poet, Wichita, KS; 7.5 and 3.75%, phase 1 and 2, respectively). Diets were formulated in two dietary phases and fed at 2.27 kg/pig and 8.16 kg/pig, respectively, with a common phase 3 diet fed until d 42. The dietary level of soybean meal was held constant within phases 1 and 2 for diets 2 to 5 with protein sources replaced on a digestible lysine basis. During the experimental diet period (d 0 to 21) or overall (d 0 to 42), there was no evidence of difference (P>0.05) for ADG, ADFI or G:F. Additionally, there was no evidence of difference (P>0.05) for total removals, and mortality.

In summary, none of the protein sources evaluated improved growth performance relative to soybean meal.

Royall, R., J. DeRouchey, M. Tokach, J. Woodworth, R. Goodband, J.Gebhardt and K. Haydon. 2022. Evaluation of Vegetable Protein Sources on Nursery Pig Performance in a Commercial Environment. 2022 American Society of Animal Science Midwest Section Meeting, Abstract PSVI-19.