Cromwell's top 11 discoveries in swine nutrition

Sunday, April 5, 2009

According to Gary Cromwell, the landmark discoveries in swine nutrition over the past century include:

1. The recognition of protein quality, which has led to estimates of the amino acid content of feedstuffs, specific requirements, synthesis and use of crystalline amino acids in diets, and the concept of amino acid balance in diet formulation.

2. The development of the soybean crop from insignificant proportions to the major source of high quality protein for swine rations.

3. Studies in mineral nutrition and especially the determination of calcium and phosphorus requirements.

4. The discovery of vitamins, their isolation and synthesis, and studies which led to estimates of their requirements of pigs.

5. The discovery of the value of antibiotics and other antibacterial agents.

6. Changes in methods of feeding – from self-feeding (free-choice grain and supplement) to complete mixed diets, shift from pasture to dry lot and early weaning of pigs.

7. Development of energy systems; determination of digestible energy, metabolizable energy, and net energy of feedstuffs, and establishment of energy requirements for maintenance, growth, gestation and lactation.

8. Discovery of genetically improved grains, oilseeds and other feedstuffs.

9. Development and acceptance of phytase to reduce phosphorus excretion.

10. Fine-tuning nutrient requirements by using mathematical models to estimate requirements based on genotype (lean growth rate, sow productivity), environment and other factors.

11. Advancement in technology in laboratory instrumentation, data processing and communications. BP

Source: Cromwell, G.L. 2008. ASAS Centennial paper: Landmark discoveries in swine nutrition in the past century. Published online on Oct. 10, 2008 as doi:10.2527/jas.2008- 1463.