Question: I was curious of the effects of not meeting the required amount of the daily lysine requirements in a pigs diet. Currently I am feeding 3lbs of 16% with 9 grams of paylean, 2oz fat, 1/2lb of beet pulp, and 1/4 lb of oat groats 2 times a day. Assuming a pig requires 25 grams of lysine a day I think I am only feeding around 24 grams. (5.5lbs feed X 453.59 grams/lb X .0085 lysine%=21.20 .5lbs of paylean X 453.59 grams/lb X .015 lysine%=3.40) I was also wanting to know if during the growing stage if I am not meeting the required lysine level besides poor growth rate would the pigs have a tendency to get tighter when in the last 30 days I start to push more feed and put them on paylean will there be a increased risk of making the pigs tighter due to adding so much muscle on so fast since they were not getting the appropriat lysine levels to develop muscle early on.
Answer: Thank you for your e-mail and for choosing HONOR Show Chow showpig products.
24 grams/day lysine is close enough to meet their daily requirements. When the daily lysine needs are not met, the pig looses muscle. The pigs metabolism begins to break down muscle in order to meet the daily requirements for amino acids.
I do not believe the pig will get tight if it was fed a lysine deficient diet and then fed Paylean. The pig may become tight moving due to joints problems if it was not 100% structurally correct. But, just the Paylean after a deficient diet would not do that.
Question: I have a gilt that I showed last year. I breed her to a boar on November 25, 2009. Now I know that a pigs gestation is three months, three weeks and three days. I have looked at many gestation tables and they all say that she will have her pigs on February 19 2010. I was just wondering if this was the correct date or if she is really going to have them in March.
Answer: Katie, Thank you for your question. You are correct, the length of gestation in swine is 3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days, or a total of 114 days. So, if your gilt was bred on November 25th, 114 days from then would be March 19, 2010. Thanks again, Dr. Kevin Burgoon HONOR Show Chow Nutritionist
Question: This is our first year feeding Honor and we were wondering what you would recommend to feed to young pigs headed for sales in the spring to give them that extra edge at the sale?
Answer: Ryan, Thank you for your email and for choosing HONOR Show Chow showpig products. Our program for pigs weaned at 21 days of age, or weighing about 12 lbs in bodyweight is: Ultracare Gel: start feeding while pigs are still nursing at 10 days prior to farrowing, keep feeding when you wean until about 10 days post weaning. HONOR Show Chow PRELUDE 209 2 to 3 bags HONOR Show Chow PRELUDE 409 feed until you sell the pigs. If you wean at a younger age, or the pigs are lighter, feed about 2 lbs per pig (1/2 bag per litter) of HONOR Show Chow First Wean One. This program has worked extremely well. Thanks again, Dr. Kevin Burgoon HONOR Show Chow Nutritionist
Question: Recently I went to the District Show in Mercedes, Texas and the Judge told me that my hog was stiff in the legs.What can you give a pig that is stiff (feed, medicine, vitamines, put on a muscle relaxer)? What can be given to stop the stiffness in my hog?
Answer: Elizabeth, Thank you for your question. Stiffness in pigs can be due to a couple of factors: 1) too much muscle (Very heavily muscled. This is usually genetic unless Paylean is being fed.) 2) structural unsoundness (The way the pig is put together. This is genetic.) If it is due to number 2 above, you might try feeding glucosamine and chondroitin. These are natural joint lubricants found naturally occurring in the pigs body as well as any animal. Note: when supplementing glucosamine and chondroitin need to be from natural sources like shark cartilage. The container you purchase will indicate the source of these compounds. Thanks again, Dr. Kevin Burgoon HONOR Show Chow Nutritionist
Question: I am currently feeding my barrow that weighs about 110 lbs the HSC grower for a show in April. When should I switch him over to the HSC finisher? I read you should start with the finisher around 150 lbs. I would like to add some more muscle to him but I am not sure if switching him sooner at a lighter weight, or putting it off would be more beneficial. What do you recommend?
Answer: Kimberly, Thank you for your email and for choosing HONOR Show Chow showpig products. HONOR Show Chow Showpig Grower will help to promote muscle when fed longer. However, it depends upon the pig. If the pig is sound and not too lean the Showpig Grower will work at heavier weights. If the pig also needs help in softening the muscle (the pig is too hard) I suggest transitioning to the Showpig Finisher somewhere between 100 and 150 lbs. Our High Octane Champion Drive will also help promote muscle. I suggest feeding 3/4 lbs per day until the pig weighs about 180 lbs or so, and then increase the Champion Drive to 1 lb per day and feed all the way through show time. Thanks again, Dr. Kevin Burgoon HONOR Show Chow Nutritionist
Question: How can I add some cover to my pig in her rib area? Someone said oatmeal.
Answer: Amy,
Thank you for your question.
Oatmeal will not produce cover or fat over the ribs of a pig. The best thing to use when time is of the essence is fat.
Our High Octane Power Fuel contains 31% crude fat and many, many ingredients that help improve the pig’s overall appearance.
Start by feeding 3/4 lbs per day. Then in 2 to 3 days increase to 1 lb per day. Then if needed, in another 2 to 3 days, increase to 1 1/2 lbs per day.
Remember that pigs eat to meet their energy needs, so as you increase the energy in the diet with Power Fuel they will begin to eat less total feed. However, fat (Power Fuel) has 2.25 times the energy than carbohydrates (corn), so although the pig eats less total feed, the energy is much increased and the pig will begin to lay down fat cover across the ribs.
Question: I have a cross gilt weighing 169 lbs at 46 days out. Her average weight gain is 1.6 to 1.75 lbs per day on 6 lbs of Grower L200. She is very wide and thick. You would think that at this weight and on 19.5% feed that she would be very hard but she is not. She actually has a naturally full look to her and she carries the soft muscle very well. What can I do to make her top more expressive?
Answer: Bruce,
Thank you for your email and for choosing HONOR Show Chow Showpig products.
To help with improving top shape, I suggest feeding 1 lbs per day from now through show time, High Octane Champion Drive Topdress. Add this to the Showpig Grower.
Also, if you need more help, about 14 days prior to show time, add 2 ounces per day of our High Octane Showpig Paylean Premix. Paylean will help increase muscle and shape as well.
Question: I have a gilt that has lots of front and lots of back but she has a wrinkle back because she is still tight. She also is thin in the front of the rear ham and I am feeding the HSC 16. How do I get the gut fill to square this gilt out?
Answer: Jason,
Thank you for your email and for choosing HONOR Show Chow Showpig products.
To help create fill, drop the pigs flank, and help with rib shape I suggest feeding HONOR Show Chow Special Effect T100. This feed is designed to help with center body.
Question: I have 2 steers that are weighing 800 lbs. Currently they are eating 16 lbs a day. 2% of their body weight, also there final show is September 20th and my question is that staying at 2% of their body weight going to put me too far ahead of the game? Keeping in mind they will be shown this spring and summer and early fall. Also will they lose that freshness to them? Also at shows in the spring where the calves are not mature are they judging them more as feeder calves or market steers?
Answer: Kyle,
Thank you for contacting the Honor Show Chow Website!
You certainly have a good question, and I do not know if I have a good answer for you.
You provided lots of details, but WHAT (grower, finisher, etc) are you feeding? This could make a huge difference in how I would reply.
It is hard to be looking 12 oclock for 6 months in my opinion. Sometimes you have to decide what is most important the prospect shows or the target show. It should be the target show I think.
When you get to the point of holding, I would highly recommend the use of our Honor Show Chow Full Control. Feed 12 to 14 lb/hd/d, 1 lb/hd/d of High Octane Champion Drive Topdress and free choice medium quality grass hay. Monitor their weight every few weeks. They should not gain much, but stay full and fresh looking.
Regarding the shows again this is hard to answer as every judge may do it a bit different. Also, time of the year (February vs. June) should play a role in this. In my opinion, the cattle should not be judged as market steers unless the show is called a MARKET STEER SHOW. If it is not, some judges may use the one that they think has the most future (look nearest the ideal at their finished weight) or the one that is simply the highest quality (best combination of balance, muscle, body capacity, soundness, etc) on that given day (this is what I would do).
Please let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns. I will reply back to you in more detail in you can help me with what you are feeding at this time.
Thank you,
Steven E. Myers, Ph.D.
Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC
Consulting Beef Nutritionist
