Eighty pigs (40 pigs per farm aged 40 days old) that had been raised on two commercial pig farms A and B were used to evaluate oxidative stress status. The results from each farm were compared to investigate a relationship between pig performance and oxidative stress status. Pig performance on farm A was relatively better than that on farm B for the period of 3 years. The level of plasma total antioxidant status (TAS) of the pigs in group 1 (farm A) was significantly higher (p=0.045<0.05 ) than that of the pigs in group 2 (farm B). The level of plasma total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) value of the pigs in group 2 were significantly higher (p= 0.045<0.05 and p=0.001<0.05) than those of the pigs in group 1 These results revealed that pig performance was associated inversely with oxidative stress status.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of replacing 40% corn meal with three different types of barley (Youngyang, Wooho, and Yuyeon) on the chemical compositions, microbial indices, gas emission, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) content in feces of growing pigs. Sixteen pigs (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc) with an initial average body weight of 71 ± 2 kg were maintained in metabolic cages and randomly allotted to four treatments containing different sources of barley, for 23 days. The treatment with three different barley types replacing 40% ground corn showed no effect (P>0.05) on fecal chemical compositions, microbial indices, gas emission, and VFA. However, some differences (P<0.05) were noted in the chemical compositions of crude fiber and ash, and in the levels of Lactobacillus and Salmonella in the feces of the growing pigs. In conclusion, methane and hydrogen sulfide decreased by replacing 40% corn meal with Youngyang and Wooho barley, respectively.