A total of 360 barrows (PIC 1050; initially 25.1 lb and 45 d of age) were used in a 21-d
growth trial to evaluate the effects of an algae-modified montmorillonite clay (AMMC)
on nursery pig performance when fed diets contaminated with low levels of deoxynivalenol
(DON). Pigs were allotted to pens by weight, and pens were randomly assigned to
1 of 9 dietary treatments arranged in a 3 × 3 factorial with main effects of DON (0, 1.5
ppm, or 3.0 ppm) and AMMC inclusion (0, 0.17%, or 0.50% ). There were 5 pigs per
pen and 8 pens per treatment. Mycotoxin analyses were conducted on the main ingredients
at NDSU3 and LDA Labs4, and the results were used in diet formulation. Naturally
contaminated wheat (6.03 ppm DON) was used to produce diets with desired DON
levels. No significant DON × AMMC interactions were observed during the entire
study. Overall (d 0 to 21), increasing DON concentration in the diet decreased (1.22
vs. 1.10 vs. 1.07 lb; linear, P < 0.001) ADG and d-21 BW as a result of decreased ADFI
(2.13 vs. 2.05 vs. 2.11 lb; quadratic, P < 0.01) and poorer feed efficiency (1.49 vs. 1.50
vs. 1.64; linear, P < 0.001). As expected, DON-related growth reductions were most
marked from d 0 to 7 (15 to 22% lower) and least distinct in the final period, d 14 to
21 (5 to 6% lower). Incorporating AMMC at increasing levels had no effect on ADG,
ADFI, feed efficiency, or final BW. Overall, the results of this study reinforce prior
research showing that even low levels of DON significantly reduce nursery pig growth,
but the addition of AMMC does not offset the deleterious effects of DON.
