Bulletin of Sumy National Agrarian University. The series: Livestock

GROWTH INTENSITY OF PIGS ON FATTENING WITH THE USE OF AMINO ACID ADDITIVES IN AN INDUSTRIAL PIG COMPLEX

R.Yu. Butenko — 2024-12-30

To study the impact of different levels and degrees of protein digestibility in the diet supplemented with amino acid additives on the fattening qualities of hybrid pigs, an experiment was conducted to investigate the fattening qualities of F1 hybrid pigs obtained by crossing two-breed sows (LWxL) with terminal boars PIC-337. The experiment was carried out in the conditions of the "Ryabushkivsky Bacon" pig complex in the Sumy region. Various levels and degrees of protein digestibility were used in the pigs' diet. The study included 6 groups of 20 heads, divided by live weight and sex. During the leveling period, which lasted 30 days, all pigs received the same diet. After this period, 5 animals from each group with excessive or insufficient weight gain were removed. Then, for 16 days, the animals continued to consume the same feed with the goal of reaching a weight of 110 kg. On the 47th day of fattening, the pigs were divided into three groups by weight (58 kg, 66 kg, and 77 kg) and kept in pens with slatted floors, with 15 heads in each pen. The first half of the pigs received feed with easily digestible protein, while the second half received feed with hard-to-digest protein and the feed additive AminoPro. Throughout the entire experiment, all groups were provided with a dry compound feed of their own production, made from high-protein feed materials with the addition of crushed ingredients. The compound feed was distributed manually twice a day in feeders with partitions that allowed 15 animals to consume the feed simultaneously. The results of the study showed that lightweight piglets consuming a standard diet with easily digestible protein had a final weight that was 2.10 kg or 1.56% higher compared to those receiving a diet with hard-to-digest protein and the AminoPro additive. Pigs with an average initial weight that consumed the standard feed showed a higher weight by 2.60 kg or 1.84% compared to the control group. No differences were found in the pre-slaughter weight of pigs with the highest initial weight across different diets. The absolute gain in pigs consuming feed with AminoPro was 4.60 kg or 6.03% higher compared to those receiving standard feed. Daily gains were also higher in the average weight pigs that consumed the feed with AminoPro, by 53 g or 6.04%. No significant difference was found in the age at which animals reached a weight of 100 kg between those consuming standard and experimental feed. Pigs with a low initial weight that consumed standard feed had a better feed conversion of 0.07 kg per 1 kg of gain compared to those on the experimental diet. Average-weight pigs consuming experimental feed with hard-todigest protein had lower feed costs of 0.27 kg per 1 kg of gain compared to animals on the standard diet. A higher fattening quality index was established in all groups of pigs consuming the experimental feed, regardless of their initial weight. Additionally, a high correlation was observed between the initial and final fattening weights and other growth indicators. The study revealed a strong direct relationship between daily and absolute gains, as well as a moderate direct relationship between absolute and relative gains. Relative gain showed a weak but significant direct relationship with the age at which a live weight of 100 kg was reached, while absolute gain had a moderate inverse relationship with this indicator. The results of this study will be useful for pig complexes aiming to optimize feeding rations, improve daily gains, and reduce feed costs, which is essential for increasing production profitability.

DYNAMICS OF REALIZATION OF GENETIC GROWTH POTENTIAL AND FEED EFFICIENCY AND THEIR INTERRELATIONSHIP DURING REARING

I. B. Voshchenko — 2024-12-30

Based on reports from the *National Average Productivity of Danish Pig Farms* for 2012–2023, the article compares changes in the realization of key performance indicators of hybrid piglets of Danish breeding during the growing phase: weight at the start and end of the growing period, duration of the growing period, absolute, average daily, and relative weight gains, average daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and piglet survival rate. It was found that the average weight of piglets at the start of the growing period decreased by 0.9 kg, or 13.04%, over the study period, averaging 6.48 kg, while the weight of piglets at the end of the growing phase fluctuated slightly between 30.2 kg and 31.0 kg, with an average of 30.58 kg. The average daily weight gains ranged from 439 g to 458 g, with an overall average of 447 g. The average feed conversion ratio was 1.86 kg, improving from 1.94 kg in 2012 to 1.75 kg in 2023. Piglet survival during the growing period remained relatively stable, averaging 96.79% over the 12 years. It was established that the primary performance indicators during the growing phase did not undergo significant changes, except for a 0.5–8.8% improvement in feed conversion ratio and a 0.2–5.7% increase in average daily weight gains, despite a notable 1.4–13.0% reduction in initial piglet weight. A strong positive correlation was identified between feed conversion ratio, average daily feed intake, and piglet weight at the start of the growing period. A strong direct relationship was found between the duration of the growing period, final piglet weight, average daily feed intake, and average daily weight gains throughout the growing period. A high inverse correlation was established between average daily weight gains, piglet weight at the start of the growing period, and feed conversion ratio during this period. A noticeable direct correlation was found between average daily feed intake, average daily weight gains, and piglet weight at the end of the growing period, with a notable inverse correlation between piglet weight at the start of the growing period and their final weight and the duration of the growing period. A moderate correlation of the same direction was found between final piglet weight, feed efficiency, and feed conversion ratio, as well as the duration of the growing period. A weak positive correlation was found between the duration of the growing period and average daily weight gains during this period. The highest impact on final piglet weight was from average daily weight gains, accounting for 30.9%, while the influence of the duration of the growing period was highly significant at 16.3%. Piglet weight at the start of the growing period influenced their final weight with a strength of 14.3%. The interaction between average daily weight gains and the duration of the growing period had a significant impact on final piglet weight, accounting for 8.6%. The interaction between average daily weight gains and initial piglet weight, the duration of the growing period, and the initial piglet weight, as well as the interaction of the three studied factors, did not have a significant impact.

MEAT PRODUCTIVITY OF SHEEP DEPENDING ON BREED CHARACTERISTICS

T. L. Holubenko — 2024-12-30

Sheep farming is a significant source of meat production. For example, the share of lamb in the country's meat balance ranges from 5-6.5%, and in some regions of the country, where it is an essential product for cooking national dishes, it reaches 30% or more. The successful development of sheep farming largely depends on taking into account the biological characteristics of sheep, which, unlike other ruminants, can consume many more plant species. They are undemanding to feed, using nutritious post-cutting residues and residual pasture vegetation after grazing by other species of animals quite efficiently. The slaughter yield, as one of the main economically useful traits in breeding for increased meat productivity, varied in the groups from 44.2 to 44.9%. The use of industrial crossbreeding of Merino ewes and Dorper rams contributes to an increase in the meat productivity of crossbred lambs in relation to purebred Merino lambs of this flock. In crossbred lambs, the area of the ‘muscle eye’ was 18.9% higher than in purebred counterparts. The results obtained indicate higher meat merits and better carcass quality of lambs of the crossbred group. The meat of the crossbreeds was more mature at the time of slaughter – the maturity coefficient was 43.59%, which is 1.24% higher than in the control. In terms of the amount of protein deposited in the carcass, an increase in its content was noted in crossbred animals. The weight of grade I cuts in absolute and relative terms was the highest in the carcasses of two-breed lambs. The advantage of young lambs of group 2 in this indicator was 16.8%. The meat quality of animals is also determined by the ratio of tissues in the carcass. In the process of studying the morphological composition of carcasses, a clear difference was found between the lambs of the experimental groups. In the carcasses of the crossbred lambs, the flesh content was 11.4 kg, which is 1.5 kg or 15.1% higher than in the control group.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CARCASS FATTY TISSUE COVERAGE AND BEEF QUALITY TRAITS

O. P. Kruk — 2024-12-30

In European standards, the fat tissue coverage of cattle carcasses is used to assess their quality and determine the value of products. Determining the correlation between the classification of carcasses by fat coverage of animals of different productivity directions with slaughter and quality traits of beef is relevant for both producers and the processing industry. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the development of carcass fat, estimated by the EUROP (2008) system, and its morphological composition and quality traits in crossbred bulls sired by Ukrainian Black-and-White dairy (UBW) cows and Holstein (H) bulls. The study was conducted on 26 carcasses in the farm “Zhuravushka” of Brovary district, Kyiv region. For this purpose, 20-22-month-old crossbred bulls were slaughtered in the slaughterhouse of Kalynivka village. The pre-slaughter live weight of the animals was determined by weighing them before and after a 24-hour fast with free access to water. After slaughtering, the development of fat on the carcasses and their conformation (meatiness) were assessed according to the Commission Regulation system (EC, 2008). The marbling of m. longissimus dorsi, the color of muscle and adipose tissue were examined in accordance with the Japan Meat Grading Association standard (2000). It was found that the development of fat on the carcass is significantly (P>0,95) inversely correlated with the relative content of muscle tissue of the highest grade (r=-0,597) and positively with its amount of the second grade (r=0.609), the thickness of fat under the skin (r=0,646) and marbling of beef (r=0,661), which positively affects consumer choice and sensory characteristics and quality attributes of the finished product. There is a tendency for an inverse correlation between the development of fat on the carcass and slaughter yield (carcass) (r=-0,237), percentage of first grade muscle tissue (r=-0,457), amount of adipose tissue (r=-0,170), tendons and ligaments (r=-0,490), area of the «muscle eye» m. longissimus dorsi (r=-0,389) and positive with the content of muscle tissue (r=0,492) and its color (r=0,483), the number of bones (r=0,554) and the conformation (meatiness) of the carcass (r=0,565). In the future, the results obtained can be used to predict the quantitative and qualitative traits of beef by the development of fat on the carcass during their evaluation at slaughterhouses in the country.

GENETIC POTENTIAL OF HOLSTEIN BULLS CARRYING THE RED FACTOR IN TERMS OF BREEDING VALUE

A. Ye. Pochukalin — 2024-12-30

The Holstein dairy cattle breed is unparalleled in terms of the range of breeding traits, with milk production and type being the primary ones. Consequently, its utilisation for purebred breeding and involvement in domestic breeding programmes remains a pertinent method of enhancing economically useful traits. In terms of colour, the animals can be classified as black and spotted, as well as red and spotted. The genetic material of the breed is presented in the Catalogue of Dairy and Beef Bulls, which provides information on the reproduction of breeding stock. Holstein bulls account for 74.5% of the total. The objective of this study was to analyse the sire bulls of the red and spotted colour according to a set of pre-established indicators, as well as to evaluate them based on the offspring they have produced and their geographical origin. The study encompassed data on 160 bulls exhibiting the RED factor. The characteristics of the bulls are classified according to the results of the evaluation, namely by type and productivity of offspring (n=54 heads or 34%), genomic (n=78 heads or 49%), productivity of offspring (n=21 or 13%) and origin (n=7 heads or 4%). The bulls originated from 11 countries, with the largest number of them originating from the USA (30%), the Netherlands (22%), Germany (19%), Canada (19%), Ukraine (7%), and so on. The genealogical structure of the sample under study is represented by 16 lines, with the majority of animals belonging to the sires of Chief 1427381 (74 heads), Eleveishna 1491007 (46 heads), and Cavalier 1620273 (8 heads). A total of 68% of the bulls were obtained by embryo transfer, while 18% underwent testing for the beta-casein gene. The mating campaign involved the utilisation of 558.9 thousand doses of semen, with 90% of the bulls undergoing evaluation for progeny. It was observed that the highest mean sire evaluation by breeding index (SI+1256) and breeding value by milk yield (+929 kg) were animals evaluated by genomic means. The values of these indices in bulls evaluated by type and progeny productivity (86,917 daughters in 24,001 herds) and evaluated by progeny (5,683 daughters in 410 herds) are, respectively, SI+694 and +650 kg and SI+245 and +441 kg. It can be reasonably deduced that the probable breeding value of the daughters of bulls evaluated by progeny is +801 kg. Subsequent research will be conducted to evaluate bulls with disparate genealogical backgrounds and genotypes for the beta-casein gene.

PROTEIN SOURCES IN PIG FEEDING: AN OVERVIEW

M. Yu. Sychov — 2024-12-30

The aim of this study was to identify the most effective protein sources for pig feeding, taking into account nutritional value, amino acid digestibility, antinutritional factors, economic feasibility, and production needs. The research examines modern approaches to the selection and application of plant-based and animal-based protein sources in pig diets. Particular attention is given to the evaluation criteria for protein sources, including nutritional value, availability, environmental sustainability, economic feasibility, and potential risks associated with antinutritional substances. Among plant-based sources, soybean meal demonstrates the highest value due to its optimal amino acid profile and high digestibility, which can reach up to 90%. However, its pre-treatment to reduce the level of trypsin inhibitors is a crucial aspect. Other plant components, such as rapeseed and sunflower meals, have their advantages but are limited by high fiber content and lower levels of key amino acids like lysine. Cottonseed meal is characterized by toxicity due to the presence of gossypol, while field peas offer low levels of antinutritional substances and significant energy value. In the realm of animal-based protein sources, blood products, fish meal, and meat-and-bone meal stand out. Blood products provide high levels of lysine and easily digestible amino acids but require careful processing to mitigate contamination risks. Fish meal contains omega-3 fatty acids, which positively influence feed intake, although its use is constrained by high costs and quality variability. Meat-and-bone meal supplies essential minerals but is characterized by lower amino acid digestibility due to technological limitations. Overall, effective ration management requires an integrated approach to the use of protein sources, considering their properties, processing potential, and the specific needs of pig feeding. A balanced combination of plant-based and animalbased protein sources allows for improved productivity, cost optimization, and minimization of the environmental impact of production.

COEFFICIENT OF DECLINE IN GROWTH INTENSITY AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH FATTENING AND MEAT QUALITIES IN YOUNG PIGS OF LARGE WHITE BREED OF HUNGARIAN ORIGIN

V. I. Khalak — 2024-12-30

The article presents the results of studies of fattening and meat qualities in young pigs of large white breed of Hungarian origin of different intrabreed differentiation according to the coefficient of decline in growth intensity, as well as the economic efficiency of their use in the conditions of the industrial complex. The work was carried out in accordance with the program of scientific research of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine No. 30 "Innovative technologies of breeding, industrial and organic production of pig products". Evaluation of young pigs for fattening and meat qualities was carried out in accordance with the requirements of "Methods for evaluation of boars and sows according to the quality of offspring in the conditions of breeding farms and breeding breeders". Live weight data at birth, at 45 days and 3 months of age were used to calculate the coefficient of decline in growth intensity of young pigs. Research results show that young pigs of the large white breed of Hungarian origin are characterized by high indicators of average daily gain in live weight, and by the age of reaching live weight of 100 kg, the thickness of lard at the level of 6-7 thoracic vertebrae and the length of the chilled carcass prevails the minimum requirements for the elite class on average by 13.56%. It was established that the animals of the experimental group I prevailed over those of the same age as II and III in terms of the average daily increase in live weight by 1.95 and 5.15%, the age of reaching 100 kg live weight by 1.79 and 3.25%, and the fat thickness at the level of 6-7 thoracic vertebrae – 1.45 and 6.85%. In terms of the length of the chilled carcass, the difference between the animals of the III, II and I experimental groups is 1.33 and 1.95%, the length of the bacon half of the chilled half carcass is 0.35 and 1.99%, the largest (front) width of the bacon half of the chilled carcass is 6 .47 and 9.86%, the smallest (back) width of the bacon half of the chilled carcass – 1.21 and 8.06%. The number of reliable connections between the coefficient of decline in growth intensity, fattening and meat qualities of young pigs of the controlled population is 28.57%. The maximum increase in additional production was obtained from young pigs of the 1st experimental group (ΔK=84.88-96.24 points). It is +2.28%, and its value is +151.84 hryvnias. / head On the basis of the conducted research, the following conclusion can be drawn: the criterion for selecting highly productive sows and breeding boars based on the fattening qualities of their offspring is their compliance with the elite class, as well as animals with a coefficient of decline in growth intensity during the rearing period from birth to 3 months of age 84.88- 96.24 points.

EFFICIENCY OF BREEDING OF HYBRID PIGLETS OF DIFFERENT WEIGHTS BY CORRECTION OF THE FEEDING SYSTEM

L. M. Khmelnychyi — 2024-12-30

The productivity of piglets for rearing was studied depending on the method of changing rations during rearing. It was established that piglets that received differentiated feeding of a separate group depending on the actual weight had at the end of rearing – 1.19% less death, 0.17% less share of sanitary defects and 1.37% better preservation. They found 6.3% higher average daily gains and 2.2% relative gains, which led to a 6.3% improvement in absolute gains and a 4.9% improvement in animal weight at the end of rearing. It was determined that piglets whose rations were adjusted according to the average weight of animals in the machine had a 10.70% lower average daily consumption of the first most expensive feed, a 3.8% higher consumption of the second pre-starter combined feed and a 16.3% increase in the cheapest starter feed. Due to this, they consumed 13.3% less of the first prestarter, 6.0% more than the second prestarter, and 8.1% of the cheapest starter feed during the growing period compared to animals whose diet was adjusted according to the average weight of the animals in the group . In general, the piglets of the experimental group consumed 2.9% more feed of all recipes during the period of rearing, compared to the counterparts of the control group. It was proven that the cost of the first pre-starter compound feed consumed was 13.3% lower, despite the 6.0% higher cost of the second pre-starter compound feed and the 8.1% cost of starter feed, which caused a decrease in the cost of all feed formulations by 0.8% in animals that the diet was changed according to the weight of the animals in the group. The lower cost of the first prestater contributed to a 0.8% decrease in the feed cost of growth, in parallel with a 4.9% increase in the weight of piglets at the end of rearing and a 6.1% decrease in the cost of one kilogram of growth in animals whose diet was adjusted depending on the weight of the animals in the machine. Due to the higher intensity of growth and, as a result, greater live weight at the end of rearing, the cost of one piglet at the end of rearing was 4.9% higher compared to analogues whose diet was adjusted depending on the average weight of the animals in the machine, which, in parallel with the decrease in its cost, contributed to the increase by 21.80% of the profit from growing one head and an improvement of 18.06% in the profitability of the same the growing process.

STUDY OF THE INFLUENCE OF THE РIT-1 GENE GENOTYPE ON INDICATORS OF MILK PRODUCTIVITY IN COWS

T. O. Chernyavska — 2024-12-30

Scientists see measures based on marker-associated selection as a promising direction of use in practical selection work. This makes it possible to select animals based on the assessment of their genotype and to reduce the influence of the external environment. A particularly important factor in the use of marker-associated selection in dairy farming is a significant acceleration of the selection effect. Scientific studies on the influence of the RIT-1 gene on the indicators of milk productivity of first-born cows were carried out on the basis of two breeding plants for the breeding of Ukrainian brown dairy and Ukrainian black-spotted dairy breeds, which belong to the State Enterprise "Experimental Farm of the Institute of Agriculture of the Northeast of the National Academy of Agrarian of Sciences of Ukraine", located in the Sumy district. The polymorphism of the pituitary-specific transcription factor PIT-1 gene was studied in the genetic laboratory of the Institute of Animal Husbandry according to generally accepted methods. Milk productivity was assessed by monthly control milkings with milk sampling. A counter – indicator IU-1 was used to take milk samples. The content of milk components was determined in the laboratory of the Institute of Animal Husbandry of the National Academy of Sciences by the method of infrared photometry on the equipment of the corporation "Bentley Instruments" (USA). Among the studied animals of both breeds, no cows with the AA genotype were found. The majority of black and spotted first-borns had heterozygous AB genotype, brown ones – homozygous BB. The conducted studies proved the superiority in terms of milk yield of cows of the Ukrainian black and spotted dairy breed with the AB genotype, and cows of the Ukrainian brown dairy breed with the BB genotype. First-borns with the heterozygous AB genotype differed in the higher content of fat and protein in the milk of animals of both studied breeds. According to the average content of dry matter, animals with the heterozygous AB genotype predominated among the black-spotted firstlings, and among the bulls – with the homozygous BB genotype. According to the average content of dry skimmed milk residue in the milk of animals of both experimental breeds, firstborns with the homozygous BB genotype prevailed.