The amount of milk Canadian dairy farmers produce is limited to a production quota expressed in milk fat. Because milk economic value is primarily based on fat and protein, it can be advantageous to decrease the milk fat to protein ratio. Monensin sodium has been suggested to reduce milk fat proportion and outputs, but not milk protein. Publications using lactating dairy cows were utilized to assess predictability of production responses to monensin feeding based upon their base production characteristics and diet composition. Predicted animal output changes due to monensin had poor fits with low r² (0.31–0.44) and unevenly distributed residuals. Further assessment revealed that cow characteristics, and diets, were not independent of monensin feeding level. Thus, the 43 comparisons were clustered into levels of 10–12, 14–18, or 20–24 mg kg^-1 of diet dry matter (DM). Milk fat yield reductions due to monensin differed (P < 0.05; 10–12 and 14–18 mg kg^-1 DM), or tended to differ (P = 0.057; 20–24 mg kg^-1 DM), from zero (i.e., no change). Monensin addition to total mixed rations of lactating dairy cows negatively impacted milk fat yield to a greater extent than milk protein.

Some injuries to broilers occur during rearing, but most injuries occur during handling before slaughter. Records provided by a processing plant for loads transported over a 19 mo period during 2009 and 2010 were examined. The median percentage of wing injuries per load was 5.7%, whereas injuries to the legs, breast, or shoulders were all less than 1% per load. Risk factors for wing injuries were examined by considering the data from each load by handling event (i.e., loads originating from the same producer on the same date). A multilevel model with three levels, producer (n = 86), handling event (n = 1694), and load (n = 4219), was fitted. The final model included weight, sex, season, catching team, time of day at which loading began, speed of loading, and an interaction between speed of loading and time of day. Factors that reduced the risk of wing injuries were loading lighter birds, loads containing only cockerels, and loading in the fall. The predicted percentage of wing injuries was relatively constant for slower loading speeds, but it was increased significantly when faster loading speeds were adopted during daytime (0700–1700). Identification of these risk factors can be used to adjust loading practices.

An experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of Bacillus subtilis RX7 and B2A supplementation on egg production, egg quality, blood profile, and excreta Salmonella population in laying hens. A total of 192 Hy-Line Brown laying hens (40-wk-old) were randomly assigned into four dietary treatments, each of which was replicated eight times with six hens per replicate in a 5 wk trial. The dietary treatments were NC, which is a basal diet without antibiotics or Bacillus subtilis; PC, which is an NC + 0.5 g kg^-1 antibiotic (virginiamycin) diet; BSR, which is an NC + 0.5 g kg^-1 Bacillus subtilis RX7 (1.0 × 10⁹ colony forming units g^-1); and BSB, which is an NC + 0.5 g kg^-1Bacillus subtilis B2A (1.0 × 10⁹ colony forming units g^-1). The results showed that hens receiving BSB diets had increased (P < 0.05) eggshell thickness over hens fed the NC, PC, and BSR diets (week 3). The excreta Salmonella counts in the PC, BSR, and BSB groups were lower than the NC group (P < 0.05). These results indicate that dietary inclusion of Bacillus subtilis RX7 and B2A strains effectively decreased excreta Salmonella counts without any detrimental effects on the performance of laying hens.

Coat colour is one of the most important qualitative traits of fur animals. Determining melanin pigments forming the basics of visible coat colour may contribute to a better understanding of the process of creating different coat colour variations in fur-bearing animals. This study aimed to (i) isolate pigment cells from the hair of American mink of 11 colour variations (standard brown, silverblue, palomino, black, wild type, sapphire, black cross, pearl, palomino cross, glow, and amber) using acid and alkali; and (ii) characterise the melanin pigments obtained. The purified pigment cells were observed under a light microscope and verified by spectrophotometry scanning and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The method allowed for obtaining pure melanin specimens. Using acid and alkali to extract eumelanosomes did not affect their shape and structure; it also allowed for obtaining pheomelanin from the hair. The results have proven that the hair colour of the American mink is based on all types of melanin, and that its variations differ in terms of how much eumelanin and pheomelanin the hair contains.

The alpha (1) fucosyltransferase gene (FUT1) is a candidate gene for controlling the adhesion of Escherichia coli F18 receptor. Indeed, a single-nucleotide polymorphism, c.307G>A, located in the gene is such that pigs with AA genotype are resistant to entero-toxigenic E. coli F18, whereas those with AG and GG genotypes are sensitive. An experiment was carried out in northern Vietnam from March 2016 to May 2017 to determine FUT1 genotype frequencies and the effect of these genotypes on production performance of Yorkshire pigs. A total of 613 animals were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction – restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The body weights at birth, weaning, initial fattening period, and final fattening period were collected from 611, 516, 479, and 418 animals, respectively, whereas backfat thickness, depth of longissimus dorsi, and lean meat percentage were recorded from 328 animals. The frequencies of FUT1 genotypes were found to be in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (P = 0.51). Effect of FUT1 genotype was not observed for all production traits (P > 0.05), whereas final body weight and depth of longissimus dorsi were significantly different between females and males (P < 0.05). These results suggest that selection of Yorkshire pigs resistant to entero-toxigenic E. coli F18 could be effective without adversely affecting average daily gain and lean meat.

Liver can function as part of the innate and adaptive immune systems. We hypothesize that prostaglandins participate in the regulation of hepatic immune function during early pregnancy in sheep. The objective of this study was to elucidate expression of prostaglandin synthase in ovine liver during early pregnancy. Ovine livers were sampled on day 16 of the estrous cycle, and days 13, 16, and 25 of pregnancy, and the expression of prostaglandin synthases, including prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 1 (PTGS1), PTGS2, prostaglandin E synthase (PTGES), and aldo-keto reductase family 1, member B1, a prostaglandin F synthase (PGFS), were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry analysis. There were increases in the expression of mRNA and the proteins of PTGS2, PTGES, and PGFS in the livers during early pregnancy, but PTGS1 was decreased in the pregnant ewes. The PGFS protein was limited to the hepatocytes and the endothelial cells of the proper hepatic arteries and hepatic portal veins. In summary, the upregulation of PTGS2, PTGES, and PGFS and downregulation of PTGS1 may be involved in the maternal hepatic immune adjustment during early pregnancy in sheep.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of collagen changes on the tenderness of yak rumen smooth muscle during storage. Yak rumen smooth muscle was stored at 3 ± 1 °C for 7 d and the Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF); total, soluble, and insoluble collagen content (TCC, SCC); collagen solubility (CS); and histological structure were monitored. Label-free mass spectrometry was used to validate the changes in collagen. Collagen changes significantly influenced yak rumen smooth muscle tenderness. A significant positive relationship was found between WBSF and TCC, SCC, as well as CS. The label-free mass spectrometry results validated that the collagen of smooth muscle was degraded during storage. Histological analysis revealed that yak rumen smooth muscle structure was destroyed during storage. Smooth muscle underwent a similar change in tenderness as skeletal muscle, and the weakening of connective tissue was the main reason for smooth muscle tenderness development.

Standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) and apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn) in samples of organic corn and soybean meal (SBM) were determined. Conventional corn (CC) and SBM (CSBM) samples were tested for comparison. A total of 560, fourteen-day-old male broiler chickens (Cobb 500) were weighed, placed in cages (10 birds per cage), and allocated to seven (n = 8) semi-purified wheat-starch-based diets. Diets were (1) CC, (2) imported organic corn, (3) local organic corn, (4) CSBM, (5) imported organic SBM (OSBMI), (6) local organic SBM (OSBML), and (7) nitrogen-free wheat starch. Only few differences were observed on SID of AA; SID of lysine was lower (P = 0.002) in organic corn samples relative to CC, and SID of methionine was lower (P = 0.002) in OSBML sample relative to CSBM and OSBMI samples. The AMEn of CC was higher (P < 0.01) than that of organic corn samples. The AMEn of OSBML was higher (P < 0.001) than for CSBM and OSBMI; however, the value for OSBMI was higher (P < 0.001) than for CSBM. In conclusion, utilization of AA in conventional and organic feedstuffs was comparable; however, differences in energy utilization warrant considerations in organic broiler feed formulation.

The comb is an important secondary sexual characteristic and comb growth traits, such as size and color of the comb, are widely used as indicators in chicken breeding programs. However, the genetic basis for these traits remains mostly unknown. It was found that the chondroadherin-like (CHADL) gene was up-regulated in large combs and was located in reported comb growth quantitative trait loci. In this study, tissue-specific expressions, expression patterns in combs of different ages, and CHADL polymorphisms were analyzed to investigate the relationship between this gene and comb growth traits of Partridge Shank roosters. The results showed that CHADL was more highly expressed in combs than in 10 other tissues, and its expressions in combs tended to gradually increase from the 5-wk-old mark to the 26-wk-old mark. The single-nucleotide polymorphism rs316423539 in the CHADL gene was significantly associated with the comb area and height, whereas rs14822286 was highly correlated with the comb color. Moreover, H1H5, H1H6, and H3H6 were the most advantageous genotype combinations for comb growth traits. Our results might help understand the molecular mechanism of comb growth traits and improve these traits directly by marker assistant selections.

A total of 150 crossbred pigs [(Duroc × Yorkshire) × Landrace; body weight (BW) = 5.74 ± 1.15 kg; weaned at day 21 after birth] were assigned to one of five dietary treatments (six pens per treatment and five pigs per pen) by BW and sex (two barrows and three gilts) for a 6 wk experiment. The pen was considered the experimental unit in the statistical model. Treatments were corn–soybean meal diets supplemented with 0.0033% tiamulin as well as 0%, 0.05%, 0.10%, or 0.20% fermented garlic (FG). The average daily gain, average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed conversion ratio were linearly (p < 0.05) increased by FG inclusion during days 21–42 and days 0–42. Dietary supplementation of FG linearly increased (p < 0.05) the coefficient of apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen, and gross energy as well as blood immunoglobulin G concentration during week 6. The fecal ammonia (NH₃), total mercaptan emissions, and Escherichia coli counts were linearly (p < 0.05) reduced by FG in the diet. Dietary supplementation of FG increased (p < 0.05) ADFI during days 21–42 and days 0–42 and reduced (p < 0.05) fecal NH₃ emissions compared with pigs fed tiamulin. In conclusion, the results indicate that FG can enhance growth performance and digestibility, and reduce fecal E. coli counts as well as fecal gas emissions in weanling pigs.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of native grass on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of Mongolian lambs fed Inner Mongolia native grass in three forms: grass, hay, and hay with concentrate (HC). Sixty Mongolian noncastrated male lambs, in good health and with the same age (6 mo) and similar body weights (mean, 28.63 ± 0.19 kg), were randomly divided into three treatments. There were four replicates in each treatment, with five lambs in one pen as a replicate. Compared with the HC group, the intake of the grass group was higher (P < 0.05) and that of the hay group was lower (P < 0.05). The hay group had a gain of -58.67 g d^-1, compared with 42.33 g d^-1 for the HC group and 80.00 g d^-1 for the grass group. The carcass weight, net meat mass, loin muscle area, and fat thickness (a measure of fat tissue thickness) were greater in the grass and HC groups than in the hay group (P < 0.05). Compared with the hay group, the protein and calcium contents, marbling score, and water loss rate were greater in the grass and HC groups (P < 0.05), whereas the fat, phosphorus, cholesterol contents, and b^* score were lower for the latter groups (P < 0.05). These results suggest that feeding of native grass hay with concentrate could improve the growth performance and meat quality of Mongolian lambs and achieve results similar to those observed in grass-fed lambs.

Polled cattle are preferable to horned or scurred animals because they are safer for handling and cause less bruising. Although DNA testing can determine horned/polled genotype, scurs may appear in polled animals. The inheritance of scurs is complex because it is a sex-influenced trait that interacts with the polled locus. We demonstrate that in 685 purebred and crossbred Canadian beef cattle, all 153 scurred animals were heterozygous polled at the Celtic variant. In addition, male obligate carriers of scurs were smooth polled when homozygous for the polled mutation. Scurred and non-scurred males were sequenced for five genes (CTDNEP1, SHBG, SOX15, FGF11, and DHRS7C) within the scur candidate region on BTA19 that are functionally related to bone development and hormone regulation. Multipoint linkage analysis was conducted using 18 microsatellite markers and two informative variants (DHRS7C g.29594018G>C and CTDNEP1 c.462G>A) in the scurred families and further supported mapping on BTA19 between BMS2142 (logarithm of the odds (LOD) = 5.42) and IDVGA46 (LOD = 3.47). These data indicate epistatic interactions between the scurred and polled loci and emphasise the necessity for a scurred DNA test to assist purebred beef producers in eradicating the scur trait.

In this study, in vitro ruminal fermentation, anti-methanogenesis, and ammonia formation of two autotrophic algae [Nannochloropsis gaditana (NG), Phaeodactylum tricornutum (PT)], and one heterotrophic alga [Schizochytrium sp. (SS)] were investigated. The experimental diets consisted of a hay-concentrate basal diet (BD; 200 mg dry matter) supplemented with (1) no algae (just BD), (2) 40 mg of dried NG (BD + NG), (3) 40 mg of dried PT (BD + PT), and (4) 14 mg of dried SS. In total, 48 samples (four algal treatments × two replicates × three runs × two cows) were incubated for 24 h using the Hohenheim gas test method. All three algae decreased (P < 0.05) the production of short-chain fatty acids and protozoal abundance (both adjusted in amount to BD) as compared with BD. Ammonia formation of BD + NG and BD + PT was 1.2- and 1.1-fold of values in BD, respectively. The BD + NG diet enhanced the proportions of isobutyrate, valerate, and isovalerate at cost of acetate proportion of total short-chain fatty acids, whereas the BD + PT diet promoted the proportions of propionate and valerate at cost of acetate. None of the microalgae affected in vitro methane formation. In conclusion, these algae showed a very poor fermentability and no anti-methanogenic effect in vitro.

Fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) is a metabolic disease mostly observed in laying hens that causes an economic toll on the poultry industry. To investigate the improving effects of biotin on FLHS in laying hens, a total of 135 Hy-Line Brown layers of 300-d-old were randomly divided into three groups and treated for 60 d. The hens from these three groups were fed with different diets: control group (the basal diet), pathology group [high-energy-low-protein diet (HELP)], and treatment group (HELP containing a biotin dosage of 0.3 mg kg^-1). The results showed that the mRNA expression level of apolipoprotein A I (apoA I) in pathology group significantly (P < 0.01) decreased on day 60 compared with the control group, while the mRNA level of apolipoprotein B₁₀₀ (apoB₁₀₀) increased significantly in pathology group on day 30, whereas it decreased significantly on day 60 (P < 0.05). Significantly increased mRNA levels of apoA I and apoB₁₀₀ were observed in treatment group compared with the pathology group on days 30 and 60 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). These results indicated that biotin could effectively alleviate the pathological changes and abnormal expression of apoA I and apoB₁₀₀ induced by FLHS, which might closely relate to the ability of biotin to promote egg production.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of hybrid rye in rations for broiler chickens. The study covered 160 chickens split into four equal groups [I (control), II, III, IV] and kept for 42 d. Rye was introduced into the above-mentioned diets as a partial substitute for maize in the following quantities: (I), no rye; (II), 5% rye in starter feed and 10% rye in grower and finisher feed; (III), 10% rye in starter feed and 20% rye in grower and finisher feed; (IV), 15% rye in starter feed and 30% rye in grower and finisher feed. During the 42 d rearing period, the most favourable body weight gain (P ≤ 0.05) and feed conversion ratio (P ≤ 0.01) were observed in chickens fed with rations containing the highest share of hybrid rye (group IV). The rye did not affect the dressing percentage and muscularity but diversified the fatness of birds. The muscles of chickens from group IV showed higher (P ≤ 0.01) red saturation and lower (P ≤ 0.01) yellow saturation and hue compared with the muscle of birds receiving diets with the lowest rye content (group I). The results of the study show that the inclusion of hybrid rye can be recommended in broiler chicken diets at a share of 15% in starter feed and 30% in grower and finisher feed, respectively.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the mulberry [Morus alba var. multicaulis (Perrott.) Loud.] leaf powder (MLP) supplementation in dietary concentrates on growth performance, blood metabolites, meat quality, and antioxidant enzyme (AOE) gene expression in fattening Hu lambs. Forty approximately 3-mo-old Hu lambs (16.5 ± 0.6 kg) were randomly allocated to five groups and fed with concentrates containing 0%, 15%, 30%, 45%, or 60% MLP (control, T15, T30, T45, and T60, respectively). The results showed that 15%–30% MLP supplementation maintained growth and carcass performance, and the weight of total stomach, especially of rumen in T15 and T30, were higher than those of the control. Dietary MLP supplementation decreased serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, but increased the high-density lipoprotein levels. Moreover, MLP supplementation improved the longissimus lumborum muscle color (redness), tenderness, and water-holding capacity. It was further observed that 15% MLP supplementation enhanced all AOE mRNA levels apart from that of EPHX1. In summary, dietary MLP supplementation could partially improve the blood metabolites, meat quality, and AOE mRNA levels in the liver of fattening Hu lamb, and the level of 15% supplementation was the most promising.

This study quantified methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) production from beef heifers and cows classified for residual feed intake adjusted for off-test backfat thickness (RFI_fat) and reared in drylot during cold winter temperatures. Individual performance, daily feed intake, and RFI_fat were obtained for 1068 crossbred and purebred yearling heifers (eight trials) as well as 176 crossbred mature cows (six trials) during the winters of 2015–2017 at two locations. A portion of these heifers (147 high RFI_fat; 167 low RFI_fat) and cows (69 high RFI_fat; 70 low RFI_fat) was monitored for enteric CH₄ and CO₂ emissions using the GreenFeed Emissions Monitoring (GEM) system (C-Lock Inc., Rapid City, SD, USA). Low RFI_fat cattle consumed less feed [heifers, 7.80 vs. 8.48 kg dry matter (DM) d^-1; cows, 11.64 vs. 13.16 kg DM d^-1] and emitted less daily CH₄ (2.5% for heifers; 3.7% for cows) and CO₂ (1.4% for heifers; 3.4% for cows) compared with high RFI_fat cattle. However, low RFI_fat heifers and cows had higher CH₄ (6.2% for heifers; 9.9% for cows) and CO₂ yield (7.3% for heifers; 9.8% for cows) per kilogram DM intake compared with their high RFI_fat pen mates. The GEM system performed at air temperatures between +20 and -30 °C. Feed intake of heifers and mature cows was differently affected by ambient temperature reduction between +20 and -15 °C and similarly increased their feed intake at temperatures below -15 °C. In conclusion, low RFI_fat animals emit less daily enteric CH₄ and CO₂, due mainly to lower feed consumption at equal body weight, gain, and fatness.

Recent studies have shown that the glucagon receptor (GCGR) plays an important role in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Both pigs and humans exhibit significantly similar behaviors in their glucose and lipid metabolism. In this study, the obtained Bama minipig GCGR coding sequence was 1437 bp encoding 479 amino acids (AA), which demonstrated higher sequence homology with humans than other species. It showed the highest expression profile in the liver, followed by the lung and kidney. In addition, the three-dimensional structure analysis showed that the porcine GCGR protein also had a classic sevenfold transmembrane region and a stalk region at the N-terminus for ligand binding. The stalk region of GCGR possessed five AA variations. The ligand binding pocket of GCGR has one AA variation in the key region, none of which affected the glucagon binding verified by the crystal structure mutagenesis in humans. There was no variation found in the region of membrane anchoring, hydrophobic bond, salt bridge, and hydrogen bond. However, the Gly40Ser mutation in mice resulted in major diseases, meaning that pigs are more suitable for the evaluation of GCGR-related drugs than mice.

Infection with Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV) has negative effects on reproductive performance and survival rate of American mink (Neovison vison). The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of kelp (Ascophylum nodosum) supplementation on survival, growth rate, and reproductive performance of mink challenged with AMDV. AMDV-free female black mink (n = 75) were intranasally inoculated with a local AMDV strain. Mink were fed a commercial pellet supplemented with 1.5% or 0.75% kelp or were kept as controls (received no kelp) for 451 d. Body weight and rectal temperature were recorded on days 0, 31, 56, 99, 155, 366, and 451 post inoculation (PI). Annual mortality rates were 13.6%, 20.0%, and 31.8% for mink fed 1.5%, 0.75%, or 0.0% kelp, respectively (P = 0.29). Mink which were fed 1.5% kelp had a significantly (P < 0.01) greater daily weight loss during breeding and post-breeding periods (days 155–366 PI), and outperformed (P < 0.01) the other groups in regard to litter sizes at birth and weaning. Differences among treatments were not significant for the number of females mated, or whelped of those exposed to males, kit survival from birth to weaning, or rectal temperature. It was concluded that 1.5% kelp supplementation had beneficial effects on survival rate of adult mink and litter size.

Feed cost is a significant component of livestock production costs, accounting for over half of total operating costs for hog producers. This provides an incentive to minimize feed costs while meeting dietary requirements. However, producers may not know the nutritional content of their feed grains with certainty. Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) imaging technology can quickly and accurately estimate the nutritional content of different types of feed grain. Although the technology has been available for almost five decades, producer adoption has been slow due to issues with cost and usability. The objectives of this study are to estimate feed cost savings resulting from the adoption of NIRS on a representative Alberta hog farm and to conduct a benefit-cost analysis to investigate the potential viability of NIRS adoption. A joint mathematical programming-simulation approach is used to estimate the cost savings generated by adoption of NIRS technology. Results suggest mean annual savings of up to $4 per hog and benefit-cost results suggest that adopting NIRS technology may be viable, particularly for larger Alberta hog operations. However, initial investment requirements, uncertainty in the magnitude of benefits, and access to the technology from feed mills will likely continue to limit adoption.

The trans (t)-18:1 content in beef has become more of interest as partially hydrogenated vegetable oils are removed from foods. Predicting t-18:1 early in the feeding period would be useful if limitations are put on t-18:1 in beef. To determine which blood component is better related to backfat, proportions of t10-18:1 and t11-18:1 (vaccenic acid) were measured in heifer red blood cells (RBC) and plasma (N = 14) after 0, 28, 56, and 76 d on a barley-grain-based diet, and correlated with post-slaughter subcutaneous fat (SCF). Total t-18:1 declined in both RBC and plasma during late finishing (P < 0.05). At 28 d, t11-18:1 decreased and t10-18:1 increased in RBC and plasma (P < 0.05). By 76 d, t10-18:1 declined to 0 d levels. RBC and plasma t-18:1 compositions were highly correlated (t10-18:1, r ≥ 0.7, P ≤ 0.02; t11-18:1, r ≥ 0.51, P ≤ 0.06). Correlations with post-slaughter backfat were, however, consistently greater for RBC compared with plasma. The use of RBC t-18:1 composition may, therefore, be superior to plasma for predicting t-18:1 in SCF, and the length of finishing could be useful for manipulating t-18:1 in beef. The time required for changes in t18:1 in RBC to reflect in changes in SCF still, however, needs to be determined to establish optimal durations for beneficial modification.

A total of 320 pigs (body weight = 98 ± 4 kg) were assigned to four treatments, with eight replicates (pens) per treatment. Pigs were fed the following diets: a control diet (CON), the CON diet plus antioxidant blends (AOX), organic trace minerals (OTM), or both (AOX + OTM). After the feeding trial, two pigs from each pen were selected for slaughtering right away or after transportation. The inclusion of AOX, OTM, or AOX + OTM had no significant effect on feed intake, average daily gain, and feed efficiency compared with CON (P > 0.05). The pre-transportation significantly reduced the pH value of loin meat at 24 h post mortem and leg meat at 45 min post mortem (P < 0.05). The pigs in the AOX, OTM, and AOX + OTM group had significantly lower plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) content than the CON group (P < 0.05). Pre-transportation resulted in significantly higher meat MDA contents (P < 0.05), clearly influencing the oxidative stress of pigs. The inclusion of antioxidant blends or organic trace minerals had no significant effect on the growth performance and antioxidant capacity of finishing pigs.