NUTRITION ▶▶▶
3 key trace minerals for sow productivity
The life of modern-day hyperprolific sows is a bit like a rollercoaster. Top performance is required at every stage of their cycle. To be supported in their job, these sows require accurate nutrition, and three trace minerals play an essential role in that process: zinc, copper and manganese.
BY RENÉ BONEKAMP, EXECUTIVE MANAGER – GLOBAL STRATEGIC SWINE TECH- NOLOGY, NOVUS INTERNATIONAL
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n the last decade, the focus in pig production has mainly concerned introduction of the hyperprolific sow. With average increases in live-born piglets from 12–13 to 17– 18 and in weaned piglets per cycle from 10–11 to 14–15, these huge differences mean larger economic returns for producers. But has the industry considered the necessary changes in management and nutrition required to support this tremendous growth? Fortunately, much global research has been conducted on sow nutrition to understand and support the new hyperpro- lific sows in commercial conditions. Still, the genetic poten- tial, selection process and evolution of this new sow in the next ten years indicate that the growth in number of piglets will likely continue. This means science and applications need to catch up, and step up, to support this changing sow.
The trace mineral influence on the sow cycle The sow cycle can be split into five distinct stages, all of which require different nutritional strategies to achieve the maxi- mum number of healthy piglets per sow lifetime. They are: • Gilt introduction; • Mating; • Gestation; • Transition/farrowing; and • Lactation. Clearly, all these stages impact the number of pigs produced by a sow in her lifetime, but each to a different degree of im- portance. Gilt introduction is key for the future sow; mating is the start of reproduction; gestation and transition stages have the greatest potential to influence birth weight; while viability, early mortality and lactation are key aspects of piglet performance and sow durability.
26 ▶ PIG PROGRESS | Volume 37, No. 4, 2021
It is obvious that a sow’s trace mineral nutrition varies along the cycle, which reflects the different requirements in each stage. Trace minerals are required for different metabolic pro- cesses for conception, mammary secretions and growth and maintenance. Although trace mineral requirements are high- est during the late gestation and lactation period, supple- menting continuously throughout the cycle, from the diet and minerals stored in tissue, contributes to meeting the sow’s daily nutritional needs. Three important trace minerals for gilt and sow nutrition are zinc, copper and manganese.
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Zinc Zinc is very important for maintenance and repro- duction; it has a proven effect in skin and claw development and is essential for the function of
many enzymes. Though lesser understood, an impact of zinc on the immunological processes and general health is acknowledged. Any deficiency in zinc results in rough, scaly and cracked skin called parakeratosis, which can lead to loss of appetite, poor growth/development and impaired sexual development. The opposite, zinc toxicity, occurs with zinc intake at high levels and is characterised by growth depression, inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, joint and bone problems and haemorrhages. Also, different forms of zinc influence the time and level of toxicity and the presence and level of other trace minerals such as copper and iron. Natural zinc can be found in minor quantities in grains and plant proteins but is difficult for the sow to utilise due to complexation with phytic acid. This can be alleviated by the addition of phytase to free up the zinc pre-digestion. Higher levels of zinc can be found in raw material sources such as
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