EFFECTS OF FAT AND FIBER LEVEL IN THE LAC TATION DIET ON THE PERFORMANCE OF SOWS UNDER DIFFERENT SEASONS

A total of 53 sows (average 3.0 parities) were used to study the effec t of different energy sources in the lactation diet on the performance of sows and suckling piglets during warm and cool seasons. The major differences in energy sources were 15% wheat bran and 6% soya oil inst ead of corn concentrations to maintain the same lysine and starch leve ls. The sows received the wheat bran diet (fat and fiber content: 2.26 and 4.32%, DE 3.23 Mcal/kg), the corn diet(fat and fiber content: 2.6 7 and 3.06%, DE 3.40 Mcal/kg) and the fat diet (fat and fiber content: 8.17 and 2.98%, DE 3.63 Mcal/kg) ad libitum during 4 weeks of lactati on. The feed intake, live weight, and days from weaning to estrus were not significantly affected by the different energy sources during coo l season (average temperature 19.52 degrees C), but during warm season (average temperature 26.96 degrees C). Sows consuming the fat diet re duced (P < 0.05) weight lost and days from weaning to estrus. The weig ht gain of litter was not influenced significantly by the dietary fibe r and fat levels, although piglet growth was higher from sows given th e high dietary fat level during warm season.