“We not only feed the piglets, but also feed and influence their microbiome.”


Figure 2 - Average daily gain of piglets receiving diets with Fysal Solute or a competitor benchmark. Bars with superscripts  


A tested and sustainable alternative To support animal producers in maintaining or even enhanc- ing farm productivity and profitability without antimicrobials, Trouw Nutrition researchers developed Milkiwean Vital Start. This science-based feed programme is designed to overcome the immunity gap around weaning, while safeguarding vital nutrients for health and development. In 2018, researchers at Seges Danish Pig Research Centre tested four feeding concepts as alternatives to ZnO for weaned pigs, including Trouw Nutrition’s Milkiwean Vital Start. Piglets receiving Milkiwean Vital Start had the highest performance of all con- cepts tested, based on increased average daily gain (ADG), improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) and lower mortality. Additionally, piglets receiving Milkiwean Vital Start had the lowest need for antibiotic treatment among the feed concepts tested ( Figure 1).


Support piglets’ natural defence system by feeding Fysal Solute Most piglets are weaned before their mucosal immune sys- tem is mature, resulting in PWD, which leads to high morbidi- ty and mortality rates. An immune response requires energy and other nutrients, which are then not available for growth. For example, it has been estimated that an animal’s response to acute and chronic infection increases protein and amino acid requirements by 20-25%. Trouw Nutrition’s novel feed additive Fysal Solute physically binds to Enterobacteriaceae such as Salmonella and E. coli. Fysal Solute contains mycelium of the mushroom Agaricus subrufescens, which is used in human medicine for its immunomodulating and prebiotic properties. Fysal Solute has been shown to modulate the nat- ural defence system of weaned piglets and to contribute to a healthy microbial balance in the gut. Trouw Nutrition leverag- es emerging science and technologies to continuously im- prove its nutritional solutions. This strategy of continuous improvement is the reason for the inclusion of Fysal Solute in the Milkiwean Vital Start program, taking post-weaning health and performance to a higher level. The effects of Fysal Solute on the natural defence system were evaluated in a col- laborative study with the University of Murcia in Spain.


     


    Days post-weaning


Results showed that Fysal Solute reduced the inflammatory response in the GIT, indicated by downregulation of cytokine gene expression and IgA producing cells in intestinal tissue. Reducing mucosal inflammation prevents the disruption of epithelial tight junctions and associated increased cellular permeability and ‘leaky gut’ syndrome. From a growth perfor- mance perspective, Fysal Solute has outperformed another feed additive used to prevent PWD. Piglets receiving the die- tary treatment containing Fysal Solute had significantly high- er body weight at day 49 compared to the competitor bench- mark group (22.7 kg vs 21.7 kg), representing an increase of almost 5%. Moreover, the inclusion also resulted in 6.5% higher ADG over the entire treatment period (355 vs 333 g/d; Figure 2).


Fysal Solute empowers the Milkiwean Vital Start programme As 2022 brings new restrictions governing the use of ZnO in pig production, research shows health, performance and eco- nomics may be maintained or even improved. Trouw Nutri- tion invests in technology and expertise to validate quality feed programmes such as Milkiwean Vital Start. This approach is enhanced by including emerging solutions such as Fysal Solute. An integrated feed, farm and health management model can help achieve regulatory compliance, maintain or even improve animal health/performance, and support pro- ducer economics – all while upholding our commitment to feeding the future.


References available upon request. ▶ ALL ABOUT FEED | Volume 28, No. 9, 2020 29 


Competitor benchmark Fysal® Solute


  y  a 334 b  b a  


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Average daily gain, g


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