The effect of
lasalocid (140 mg . head-1 . d-1) on sow reproductive performance and subsequent piglet performance during lactation were examined in a trial that involved 114 sows. Treatments consisted of 1) control diet with no
lasalocid during gestation and lactation; 2)
lasalocid diet during gestation, control diet during lactation; 3) control diet during gestation and
lasalocid diet during lactation; and 4)
lasalocid diet during gestation and lactation. The addition of
lasalocid either to gestation or lactation diets had no effect (P greater than .10) on sow
weight gains or days to return to estrus postweaning.
Milk protein percentages were similar (P greater than .10) for sows in all treatment groups for samples taken at 3, 7 and 14 d postfarrowing. Milk fat percentages were higher (P less than .05) in fall-bred sows at d 3 for Treatments 1, 3 and 4 than for Treatment 2 No significant differences (P less than .10) were observed for litter size at birth, 21 d postfarrowing or at weaning. Piglet weights at birth, 21 d and weaning were similar (P less than .10) among treatment groups. However, litter size and litter
weight gains tended to be heavier at 21 d postfarrowing and at weaning for fall-bred sows fed
lasalocid in either gestation and (or) lactation compared with those fed the control diet.