This study evaluated the effects of dietary net energy concentrations on feeding behavior and growth performance of growing-finishing pigs monitored using a feed intake recording equipment (FIRE). Two hundred and sixteen (48.8 ± 5.6 kg) gilts were blocked by bodyweight and assigned randomly to 1 of 3 dietary treatments, which included low (2,350 kcal/kg), medium (2,450 kcal/kg), and high (2,550 kcal/kg) dietary NE levels. Pigs were housed in 18 pens for 68 d in four phases with 12 pigs and one FIRE station per pen. Bodyweight, feed consumption, and the amount of time and visit at the station of individual pigs were monitored every day by using FIRE. Pigs fed low NE diet spent more time (min) at the station during the first two weeks and visited the station more times with fewer amounts of time (min) per visit after two weeks compared with pigs fed medium and high levels of NE diets (P < 0.05). The speed (g/min) and amount (g/visit) of feed intake were lower (P < 0.05) during phase 3 and the overall period in low NE diet compared with pigs fed medium NE diet. Pigs fed medium NE diet tended to have a greater (P = 0.066) average daily feed intake at phase 4 than pigs fed low NE diet. Increasing NE levels linearly improved (P < 0.05) average daily gain, feed conversion ratio, and final BW during phase 3 and the overall period. However, the overall energy efficiency (Mcal NE/ kg gain) was linearly decreased with increasing NE levels. In conclusion, decreasing dietary NE to 2350 Mcal/kg resulted in more visits to feeders with slow ingestion speed compared with pigs fed diets with 2450 or 2550 Mcal/kg NE. Increasing dietary NE levels linearly improved daily gain and feed conversion ratio, but linearly decreased energy efficiency.

Background Since the first report of ASFV in China in 2018, conventional whole herd depopulation method to control ASF has proved unwieldly because of high production intensity and complex trade network. To provide an alternative to conventional methods, we evaluated the feasibility of implementating an extensive sampling method and qPCR tests to determine the status of ASFV in herds, with a rapid response to identified outbreaks. Case presentations By assessing and applying these methods without whole herd depopulation, we successfully controlled ASF and eliminated the virus from 4 large swine herds. The time to negative herd was 19, 28, 14, and 1 days in farms 1-4 respectively. Retention rates of pigs of farm 1 to farm 4 was 69.7% , 65%, 99.4% and 99.72% respectively.Conclusions We anticipated that this innovative method would replace the conventional stamping out one and greatly facilitate the control and eradication of ASFV in China and worldwide.