The effects of supplemental buffers in finely ground diets were determined in two
experiments. In Exp. 1, 128 pigs (123 lb
average initial body wt) were fed a cornsoybean meal-based diet (488 μm mean
particle size for corn) for 66 d. Treatments
were a control and 1, 2, or 3% added sodium
bicarbonate (NaHCO3). Average daily gain, dressing percentage, and plasma urea N concentration decreased as the concentration
of NaHCO3 in the diet was increased. However, the reduction in average daily
gain occurred only at the 2 and 3% additions.
Feed intake, feed/gain, backfat thickness,
stomach ulceration score, stomach
keratinization score, and blood gases (pH
and HCO3) were not affected by treatment.
In Exp. 2, 120 pigs (121 lb average initial
body wt) were fed a pelleted wheat-soybean
meal-based diet (355 μm mean particle size
for the wheat) during a 64-d growth assay.
Treatments were: 1) control; 2) 1% added
NaHCO3; and 3) 1% added potassium
bicarbonate (KHCO3). Average daily gain,
feed intake, feed/gain, backfat thickness,
stomach keratinization score, plasma urea N
concentration, and digestibilities of dry
matter and nitrogen were not affected by
treatment. However, addition of NaHCO3
and KHCO3 tended to decrease the incidence of ulcers and increased the digestibility
of gross energy. These data indicate that a 1% addition of either NaHCO3 or KHCO3 may help to reduce the severity of gastric ulcers in finishing pigs without adversely affecting growth performance or nutrient digestibility.
