The Influence of Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles During Gestation on Sow Productivity and Milk Composition

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) during gestation on sow productivity, litter performance and milk composition. Thirty-six second- and third-parity (2.27 parity) sows (Yorkshire) were bred with semen from a pool of Landrace boars. The sows were randomly allotted to 1 of 3 groups and fed diets containing 0 (control), 12.5 or 25% DDGS during gestation. The sows were divided into 12 blocks of three animals. Piglets were cross-fostered, within dietary treatment groups 48 h after birth to standardise litter size to a range of 9 to13 piglets. The 25% DDGS supplementation resulted in a greater (P=0.03) average daily feed intake (ADFI) during lactation compared with control sows. The weaning-to-oestrus interval was shorter in sows receiving 25% DDGS diets compared to the control (P=0.01). The number of piglets born was similar among treatments. The addition of 12.5 and 25% DDGS to the gestation diet increased the average daily gain (ADG) of the piglets during lactation (P=0.04). The results demonstrated that feeding 25% DDGS does not have negative effects on sow or litter performance and increases the sow ADFI and the piglet ADG during lactation.