Phosphorus Reduction in Swine Manure and Pig Performance by Using Dietary Phytase

Abstract

<p>Phytase addition to swine diets reduces the phosphorus levels in the swine manure. The addition of the phytase into the swine diets did not increase the cost of the diets, nor was pig performance impacted by the phytase addition to the diets. However, phosphorus reductions with phytase may vary from farm to farm due to feed ingredient variation and amounts, an incorrect ration formulation for phosphorus, and possibly the amount of manure dilution with wastewater. Manure management plans on a phosphorus basis will be easier to implement with a phytase diet. Therefore, because swine premixes are commercially available with phytase, swine producers should take advantage of reducing manure phosphorus levels. This management plan will limit the buildup of phosphorus in the soil, reduce the crop acres needed for manure application, reduce water pollution due to runoff and leaching, and comply with Iowa Department of Natural Resources manure management plans.</p>