Sustainably improving health, efficiency and performance
One of the main trends in modern pig farming is the growing demand for sustainability. How can farmers meet rising expectations while securing the profitability of their farms?
BY ANNE MÖDDEL, SENIOR TECHNICAL SALES MANAGER, DR. ECKEL ANIMAL NUTRITION (GERMANY)
S 8.2 Positive Control
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7 6.8 Repetition 1 32 Repetition 2 ▶ ANTIBIOTIC REDUCTION | DECEMBER 2021 Anta Phyt weaning weight
ustainable production does not only imply that animals are raised in a way that protects and promotes their welfare, but also that resources are used efficiently and responsibly. Meeting these
demands while still being profitable and successful is often a great challenge for farmers. This is especially true in light of consumer expectations and the increasing number of regulations. Weaning is a particularly critical phase. The animals are exposed to numerous stressful situations, so it is important for them to receive any possible support right from the start. These stressors, many of which exist on virtually all farms, include rehousing the piglets and mixing the various litters after weaning, and consequently fights for rank. Another stressor is the transition to solid food and the associated adaptation of the gastrointestinal tract: some piglets require up to 48 hours to take their first feed, which initially leads to
Figure 1 - First week as important indicator of further piglet development.
Differences in the first 7 days after weaning
reduced food intake and subsequently to overfeeding, significantly increasing the risk of diarrhoea.
Start with the gut One strategy is to support the gut microbiota. To date, sci- ence has not yet revealed all the interdependences between the gut microbiota and growth performance. However, there is no doubt that the microbiota is strongly related to energy harvesting capacity and resistance to pathogenic bacteria. We are also certain that bacterial infections and inflamma- tions expend a lot of energy and thus reduce performance. It is mainly for this reason that antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) came into use both as a safe bet to ensure profitability and in the hope that they would additionally support against pathogenic germs and reduce infections. Today, AGPs are still widely used in many parts of the world. Indeed, over the dec- ades, their use in feed has shown that production can defi- nitely be increased by suppressing negative environmental factors. But nowadays we are aware of the dangers posed by AGPs: they destroy the invaluable natural intestinal flora of animals, impair their well-being, contribute significantly to the formation of antibiotic-resistant germs and, consequent- ly, are also a threat to our own health. Fortunately, more and more countries are coming to the realisation that the inap- propriate use of antibiotics to enhance performance in ani- mal nutrition is a dead end. All stakeholders along the value chain—consumers, retailers, producers and farmers—have recognised the need for action. Naturally, in the case of pro- ducers and farmers, it all begins with the feed. This is the starting point for anyone wanting to act responsibly and sus- tainably while achieving optimal performance. We have a powerful ally in phytogenics, which help us do just this. Evi- dence clearly shows the potential of phytogenic feed addi- tives: combinations of phytogenic active ingredients can ef- fectively replace antibiotic growth promoters, prevent bacterial resistance and improve safety and animal welfare, thus helping livestock producers achieve their sustainabili- ty—and profitability—goals.
Proven effectiveness Of the many phytogenics, let’s take the common hop (Humulus lupulus) as an example. The hop has been used in medicine for thousands of years. It is the ingredient of choice in beer production due to its bitter flavour as well as its
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