Effects of pelleting and pellet conditioning temperatures on weanling pig performance

Abstract

Two studies were conducted to evaluate" the effects of pelleting and pellet conditioning temperature of diets containing 5% spray-dried animal plasma (SDAP) on weanling pig growth performance. In Exp. 1, conditioning temperatures evaluated were 140, 150, 160, and 170°F. In Exp. 2, pellet conditioning temperatures were 140, 155, 170, 185, and 200°F. The results suggest that pellet conditioning temperatures above 170°F decrease weanling pig performance from d 0 to 7 after weaning. Pellet conditioning temperature should not exceed 170OF (exit temperature of 180°F) for nursery diets containing 5% SDAP.