Improving growth rate and profitability in production

Improving growth rate in pig production is the way for producers to increase profit margins. As growth rate improves, the rate of stock turnover increases, lowering the cost per pig raised and increasing the total kilograms of pork produced. To meet the needs of the market, pig operations need to be concerned with developing the most economical rate of gain and the best lean pork yield. This involves feeding rations that match pig requirements for developing the maximum lean tissue without overfeeding protein or energy.

Achieving optimum performance

Optimal production is achieved when the animal reaches a high level of performance and feed efficiency, while maintaining good overall health. Ensuring nutrients are effectively processed and tailored to the pig's needs, while promoting growth and limiting nutrient loss is therefore an important factor in achieving optimal performance.

Supporting feed and water management

Supporting an effective water and feed management programme for grower-finisher pigs is crucial for achieving optimal market weight. A finisher’s body composition is 50% water, while feed remains the largest contributor to production costs, further underscoring the need for proven practices to help pig farmers best manage water and feed for their herd.

Reducing the use of antimicrobials

The antimicrobial reduction swine programme aims to support the swine industry to reduce the amount of antimicrobials used in the production chain. Our Feed, Farm and Health integrated approach allows customers to reduce the antimicrobial throughput, while maintaining profitable results.

Controlling Salmonella in grower-finisher pigs

Salmonella not only affects animal health and performance but food safety. Salmonella control measures should be implemented as early as possible in the production chain.

Grower-finisher pigs play a primary role as carriers through which the bacteria enters the food chain. We recommend a customised and integrated approach to protect your grower-finishers against Salmonella colonisation and invasion and reduce the bacteria’s horizontal transmission.

Optimising minerals in diets

Trace minerals, such as zinc, copper and manganese play a vital role in grower-finisher pig’s development and metabolism. They support multiple essential functions, including growth performance, immune response and health. Provided in the wrong form and amount, it could generate negative outcomes for grower-finishers’ productivity, reducing body weight gain and feed conversion and leading to lower carcass and lean meat yield, disease response and potentially increased mortality. Therefore, it is encouraged that pig producers and nutritionists work together to provide a cost effective trace mineral source most capable of consistently meeting the needs of the animal.

Production efficiency in the grower-finisher phase is only achieved when most of the feed nutrients can be used for growth.

Richard Remmer – Pig Technical Manager

The current study compared the effect of hydroxychloride trace minerals (HTM) with the effect of inorganic trace minerals (ITM) on growth performance and carcass quality in grower-finisher pigs. The results of 6 studies conducted throughout Europe were combined into one meta-analysis. All included studies were performed using pigs from about 19 kg of body weight until slaughter. In all studies, 2 different mineral sources were compared, HTM and sulfates as ITM. Zn from either HTM or ITM was added at a level of 80 ppm to the diet, and Cu was added at a level of 15 ppm from the same source as Zn. In most studies, an additional treatment was included in which 20 ppm Zn was used from either source in combination with 15 ppm Cu from the same source. Diets were fed in 3 phases according to local commercial standards. The body weight, average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and gain:feed ratio were measured at the end of each phase. At the end of each study, the carcass yield, back fat thickness, and lean meat percentage were measured at commercial slaughterhouses. The meta-analysis was conducted using a MIXED model in SAS taking into account the within-study and between-study variation. The comparison was done only between HTM and ITM added at the same Zn level. No statistical differences were observed for growth performance or carcass characteristics between the mineral sources in pigs fed 20 ppm Zn. When 80 ppm Zn was used, a significant improvement in lean meat percentage was observed in pigs fed HTM compared with pigs fed ITM. In the overall study period, there was a tendency towards an increased gain:feed ratio in pigs fed 80 ppm Zn from HTM. In the last feeding phase, before slaughter gain:feed ratio and average daily gain were both significantly improved by 3.9%. In conclusion, HTM addition improved growth performance and lean meat percentage in grower-finisher pigs.

by S. J. A. van Kuijk

Mixed organic acids improve nutrients digestibility, volatile fatty acids composition and intestinal microbiota in growing-finishing pigs fed high-fiber diet

Swine

Objective The objective of this study was to investigate effects of mixed organic acids (MOA) on nutrient digestibility, volatile fatty acids composition and intestinal microbiota in growing-finishing pigs fed high wheat bran diet. Methods Six crossbred barrows (Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire), with an average body weight 78.8±4.21 kg, fitted with T-cannulas at the distal ileum, were allotted to a double 3×3 Latin square design with 3 periods and 3 diets. Each period consisted of a 5-d adjustment period followed by a 2-d total collection of feces and then a 2-d collection of ileal digesta. The dietary treatments included a corn-soybean-wheat bran basal diet (CTR), mixed organic acid 1 diet (MOA1; CTR+3,000 mg/kg OA1), mixed organic acid 2 diet (MOA2; CTR+2,000 mg/kg OA2). Results Pigs fed MOA (MOA1 or MOA2) showed improved (p<0.05) apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy, dry matter and organic matter, and pigs fed MOA2 had increased (p<0.05) ATTD of neutral detergent fiber compared to CTR. Dietary MOA supplementation decreased (p<0.05) pH value, and improved (p<0.01) concentrations of lactic acid and total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) in ileum compared to CTR. Pigs fed MOA showed higher (p<0.05) concentration of acetic acid, and lower (p<0.05) content of formic acid in feces compared to CTR. Pigs fed MOA1 had increased (p<0.05) concentration of TVFA and butyric acid in feces. Pigs fed MOA1 showed higher concentration of Lactobacillus and lower concentration of Escherichia in feces compared to CTR. Conclusion Dietary supplementation of MOA 1 or 2 could improve nutrients digestibility, TVFA concentration and intestinal flora in growing-finishing pigs fed high fiber diet.

by Li M.

Contact Us

Our Pig team includes:

Richard Remmer - Pig Technical Manager

Antony Taylor - Monogastric Business Director

Pippa Handley - Monogastric Product Manager: Selko Feed Additives

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