VALINE REQUIREMENT OF THE HIGH-PRODUCING LACTATING SOW

Two hundred three (40 or 41/treatment, average parity 4.3) Large White x Landrace or Large White x Chester White x Landrace sows were used t o determine the valine requirement of sows with a genetic capacity for high milk production. All diets were formulated to contain .90% total lysine, with all amino acids other than valine formulated to be at le ast 110% of their suggested estimates relative to lysine based on rati os derived from the National and Agricultural Research Councils. The c ontrol diet was formulated to .75% total valine, and crystalline valin e replaced cornstarch to provide additional treatments containing .85, .95, 1.05, and 1.15% total dietary valine. Corresponding valine:lysin e ratios were 83, 94, 106, 117, and 128%. Mean litter size after adjus tment was 10.3 pigs across treatments, and average lactation length wa s 26 d. Number of pigs weaned was not affected by dietary valine ((x) over bar = 10.2 pigs), nor was daily sow feed ((x) over bar = 6.24 kg) or lysine ((x) over bar = 56 g) intake. Valine intake increased (line ar, P < .001) as dietary valine increased. Litter weight at d 21 and a t weaning (d 26) increased (linear, P < .02) with increasing dietary v aline (62.4 to 65.5 kg and 76.1 to 79.9 kg, respectively). Litter weig ht gain increased from d 0 to 7 (linear, P < .06) and from d 0 to 21 a nd d 0 to weaning (linear, P < .02) as dietary valine increased. Dieta ry valine had no effect (P > .10) on sow weight change, 10th rib, or l ast lumbar backfat change from d 0 to 21 or d 0 to weaning or on days from weaning to estrus. These results demonstrate that increasing diet ary valine for high-producing sows (21-d litter weights > 60 kg) resul ts in improved litter weight gain. Based on the linear responses obser ved, the requirement is at least 1.15% of the diet (72 g/d of valine i ntake) to maximize litter weaning weight and litter weight gain, much greater than recommended currently by the National Research Council (1 00% of lysine, 36.5 g/d) or the Agricultural Research Council (70% of lysine, 25.5 g/d).