Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of dietary energy concentration on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in growing and finishing pigs. The experimental diets were: 1) control energy diet (CON) and 2) high-energy diet compared with CON (HE). Pigs had ad libitum access to their feed and water for 6 weeks during grower and finisher periods, respectively. In Exp. 1, 60 growing pigs (initial body weight [BW] of 23.85 kg) were randomly allotted to 1 of 2 dietary treatments (6 pigs/pen; 5 replications). In Exp. 2, a total of 48 finishing pigs (average initial BW = 65.13 kg) were randomly assigned to 2 treatment groups with 4 pigs per pen and 6 replications per treatment. The growth performance was measured and recorded at the beginning and end of each period. The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) was determined by chromium oxide as an indigestible marker during the last 7 days of each experiment. Data were analyzed using the GLM procedure of SAS. The statistical model for each measurement included dietary effects and the experimental unit was a pen. In Exp. 1, there were no differences in body weight, average daily gain, feed consumption, and gain to feed ratio (P > 0.10). Dietary treatments did not affect the ATTD of dry matter, energy, and crude protein (P > 0.10). In Exp. 2, no difference in body weight was observed for pigs fed CON and HE at the end of the experiment (P > 0.10). Also, there were no effects of dietary treatments on growth performance were observed (P > 0.10). The dietary treatments did not affect ATTD of dry matter, crude protein, and energy (P > 0.10). In conclusion, high energy content in diets for growing-finishing period had no effect on the growth performance or digestibility in growing and finishing pigs, indicating that a wide range of dietary energy content changes would be required to affect growth performance and digestibility of grower-finisher pigs. It is also necessary to understand the difference in ingredients used to adjust the dietary energy concentration.

This study was conducted to assess the effects of dietary non-genetically modified organism (non-GMO) source on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of growing-finishing pigs, and to compare the performance and digestibility between pigs fed control diet based on rice and soybean meal and pigs fed rice-based diet with non-GMO soybean meal. In experiment 1, 60 growing pigs (initial body weight [BW] = 23.76 ± 3.42 kg) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 dietary treatments (6 pigs/pen; 5 replications) for 6 weeks in a completely randomized design. The dietary treatments were 1) rice-soybean meal-based control diet (GMO) and 2) experimental diet based on rice and non-genetically modified organism soybean meal (non-GMO). In experiment 2, 48 finishing pigs (initial BW = 64.31 ± 6.17 kg) were randomly assigned to 2 treatment groups (4 pigs/pen; 6 replications/treatment) in a completely randomized design. The dietary treatments were same as those described in experiment 1. Pigs were fed their respective diets for 6 weeks. In the current study, pigs had ad libitum access to their feed and water for 6 weeks during grower and finisher periods, respectively. Measurements were average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), gain-to-feed ratio (G:F), and nutrient digestibility. The growth performance was measured and recorded at the beginning and end of each research. The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) was determined by chromium oxide as an indigestible marker during the last 7 days of each experiment. Data were analyzed using the GLM procedure of SAS. The experimental unit was a pen, and the statistical model for measurements included dietary effect. During the grower period, pigs fed diet containing non-GMO had higher (P < 0.05) ADFI than those fed control diet, but there were no differences between dietary treatments in ADG, G:F, and nutrient digestibility. Also, dietary treatments did not affect nutrient digestibility as well as growth performance of finishing period. In conclusion, the inclusion of non-GMO soybean meal in diet had increased ADFI of growing pigs, but had no effect on ADG or G:F, and nutrient digestibility. Also, dietary treatment had no effect on performance and digestibility in finishing pigs.