The Role of Bran in Gestational Feed

(About 52% in terms of quality), starch (around 17%), protein (approximately 11%), moisture (roughly 10%), ash (about 6%), and more. (约占52% in terms of quality), starch (about 17%), protein (around 11%), moisture (approximately 10%), ash (roughly 6%), and more.

Among them

★ Dietary fiber makes up 35–50% of the total dry matter, with B-glucan accounting for 40–60%—a highly soluble form. According to international reports, polysaccharides found in dietary fiber can help lower blood sugar levels and regulate lipid profiles. Moreover, these same polysaccharides may also play a protective role against hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and arteriosclerosis.

★ Phenolic compounds such as ferulic acid, flavonoids, lignans, and more—among which ferulic acid stands out as the most abundant—are now internationally recognized as natural antioxidants. In recent years, ferulic acid and its derivatives have been primarily used in clinical settings to treat conditions like coronary heart disease, vascular disorders, thromboangiitis obliterans, as well as leukopenia and thrombocytopenia.

★ Proteins, accounting for about 15%, contain 16 amino acids, with particularly high levels of glutamic acid and lysine.

★ This product is rich in B vitamins (thiamine and riboflavin), vitamin E (a natural antioxidant), but contains lower levels of vitamins A and D.

★ Minerals make up about 5.7% of the ash content, with phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium being the most abundant—accounting for 20.5%, 17.2%, 5.6%, and 1.6%, respectively. Trace amounts of iron, manganese, and zinc are also present, each comprising roughly 0.25%.

★ Additionally, wheat bran also contains compounds such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), phytic acid, and oxalic acid. Gamma-aminobutyric acid is a non-protein, naturally occurring amino acid that makes up about 0.3% of the weight of wheat bran. Moreover, based on its formation mechanism, wheat bran can convert glutamic acid—known for being the amino acid with the highest concentration in bran—into even more GABA. GABA has been shown to offer multiple benefits, including delaying the aging of nerve cells, lowering blood pressure, acting as an anticonvulsant, and playing a role in both preventing and treating epilepsy, as well as improving brain function.

China's standard for wheat bran used in animal feed is:

Level 1: Crude protein equals or exceeds 15%, crude fiber less than 9%, and crude ash less than 6%.

Level 2: Crude protein equals or exceeds 13%, crude fiber less than 10%, and crude ash less than 6%.

Level 3: Crude protein equals or exceeds 11%, crude fiber less than 11%, and crude ash less than 6%.

Wheat bran has a loose, airy texture and excellent palatability. It contains mild laxative salts that help stimulate gastrointestinal motility, promoting bowel movements and easing constipation—making it an ideal feed for gestating sows.

Precautions for use:

★ Wheat bran is rich in minerals, but it contains more phosphorus than calcium, leading to an imbalanced ratio—so additional calcium supplementation is necessary when feeding.

★ Wheat bran is high in crude fiber, resulting in a lower energy value—its metabolizable energy is only 6.53 MJ/kg—so additional energy supplementation is required when feeding it to animals.

★ Pregnant sow feed typically includes 15-20% added ingredients.

★ Like all roughages, wheat bran is prone to mold growth during storage, so proper drying and ventilation are essential.

Question one: Does using wheat bran in gestating sow feed lead to mycotoxin poisoning?

Like corn, wheat bran can also develop mold issues if not stored properly. Among all molds, zearalenone poses the greatest risk to sows—it’s the primary culprit behind reproductive problems in sows, including stillbirths, miscarriages, delayed estrus, and repeated breeding failures leading to infertility.

In fact, when wheat bran is stored improperly, it tends to develop more mold—particularly Aspergillus flavus—while zearalenone levels remain low. As a result, the risks to sows from contaminated wheat bran are less severe than those posed by moldy corn.

Zearalenone is primarily found in moldy corn.

Question two: How much wheat bran is appropriate to add to the diet of gestating sows?

Generally added 15–20%: Wheat bran is low in calcium but high in phosphorus, and it also lacks energy, so it shouldn’t be added in excessive amounts.

Author: Liu Zhixin, Sales Department I for Pig Feed