Decreasing Corn Particle Size Increases Metabolizable Energy When Fed to Gestating Sows

Previous research has demonstrated that reducing the particle size of corn improved metabolizable energy (ME) utilization in many phases swine production. One phase had limited thus far is gestating for sows. The objectives this paper were to determine effects on digestibility gross (GE), and digestible (DE) ME sow diets. A total 27 sows during second gestation (d 40 74) chosen fed a common diet with ground 1 3 target average sizes (geometric mean diameter; dgw) 400, 800, or 1200 μm. Corn was using high roller mill (RMS model 924). Titanium dioxide (0.25%) included as an indigestible marker index calculations. Sows experimental diets 7 d allow adaptation before 2-d collection period. At beginning period, fitted urinary catheter urine collected buckets containing 20 mL sulfuric acid. Fecal grab samples also from each Subsamples taken, mixed, analyzed GE, titanium levels calculate DE ME. calculated by subtracting soybean meal (1,494 kcal/lb) oil (3,889 ME, utilizing NRC 2012 values those ingredients. Apparent tract (ATTD) GE DE, content increased (linear, P < 0.001) reduced 400 (88.5% DM) 81 kcal/lb dgw 1,200 103 Utilizing linear regression data herein, it determined every 100 μm reduction 1,372 404 μm, value 10.7 kcal/lb.