The effects of corn- or sorghum-based diets with or without sorghum dried distillers grains with solubles on lactating-sow and litter performance1

A total of 140 sows and their litters were used to determine the effects of corn- or sorghum-based diets without or with 20% sorghum dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) on lactating-sow and litter performance. Sows were allotted to 1 of 4 dietary treatments on d 110 of gestation. Weaning age was 21 d. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial with main effects of grain source and sorghum DDGS. Litters were equalized to 13 pigs per treatment. Overall (d 0 to 21), a tendency (P < 0.08) for a DDGS × grain source interaction was observed as ADFI increased in corn-based diets when DDGS were added but decreased in sorghum-based diets. Sows fed sorghum-based diets had decreased (P < 0.04) lactation BW loss compared with those fed corn-based diets. Litter weaning weights tended to be reduced (P < 0.06) for sows fed diets containing DDGS compared with those fed diets without DDGS. Sows fed the sorghum-based diet with 20% sorghum DDGS had the lightest litter weaning weight compared with other treatments. Litter weight gain tended (P < 0.09) to decrease when sorghum DDGS were added to corn- or sorghum-based diets. No differences were observed in piglet survivability among all treatments. Overall, feeding sows corn- or sorghum-based diets (without DDGS) in lactation did not affect litter performance; however, the 4% decrease in litter weaning weight of sows fed sorghum with 20% sorghum DDGS needs to be taken into account when selecting ingredients for lactating sows.