Effects of Increasing Levels of Copper from Either CuSO4 or Combinations of CuSO4 and a Cu-Amino Acid Complex on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Economics of Finishing Pigs

Authors

C. B. Carpenter, Kansas State University, ManhattanFollow
J. C. Woodworth, Kansas State University, ManhattanFollow
J. M. DeRouchey, Kansas State University, ManhattanFollow
M. D. Tokach, Kansas State University, ManhattanFollow
R. D. Goodband, Kansas State University, ManhattanFollow
S. S. Dritz, Kansas State University, ManhattanFollow
Z. J. Rambo, Zinpro Corporation, Eden Prairie, MN

Keywords

carcass characteristics, copper, finishing pig, growth, level, source

Abstract

A total of 1,089 pigs (PIC 280 ×1050; initially 82.2 lb) were used in a 105-d experiment to determine the effects of increasing added Cu from either CuSO₄alone or a 50/50 blend of CuSO₄and Cu-AA (Availa^®-Cu, Zinpro Corporation, Eden Prairie, MN) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and economics of finishing pigs. All 6 dietary treatments contained 17 ppm Cu from CuSO₄from the trace mineral premix. Additional treatment diets contained added CuSO₄to provide 70 and 130 ppm total Cu or a 50/50 blend of added Cu from CuSO₄and Cu-AA to provide 70, 100, and 130 ppm total Cu. There were 25 or 26 pigs per pen and 7 replicate pens per treatment.
Overall, added Cu above 17 ppm did not influence ADG; however, pigs fed 70 and 130 ppm added Cu from the 50/50 blend of CuSO₄and Cu-AA had decreased (P = 0.045) ADFI and improved feed efficiency (P = 0.048) compared with those fed 70 and 130 ppm of added Cu from CuSO₄only. Similar to the F/G response, pigs fed diets that contained CuSO₄alone had poorer (P = 0.030) carcass F/G than those fed added Cu from the 50/50 blend of CuSO₄and Cu-AA. Neither Cu source nor level influenced economics.
In conclusion, these data suggest pigs fed diets that contained added Cu from CuSO₄alone consume more feed but have poorer feed efficiency which translates into poorer carcass F/G compared to those fed a 50/50 blend of CuSO₄and Cu-AA. Copper level did not impact growth performance. Based on our study, it appears that the 50/50 blend of CuSO₄/Cu-AA optimized feed efficiency and carcass feed efficiency of pigs marketed on a constant time basis.

Recommended Citation

Carpenter, C. B.; Woodworth, J. C.; DeRouchey, J. M.; Tokach, M. D.; Goodband, R. D.; Dritz, S. S.; and Rambo, Z. J. (2016) "Effects of Increasing Levels of Copper from Either CuSO4 or Combinations of CuSO4 and a Cu-Amino Acid Complex on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Economics of Finishing Pigs," Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 2: Iss. 8. https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.1317