ADD/piglets
ADG (g)
FOTO: PHOTO: CARGILL
Nutrition can be used as an effective tool to strengthen the barrier of the intestinal wall post-weaning.
Management of the mucus layer Making sure the protein and amino acids levels are adequate is the basis for healthy growth and thus the cornerstone of the shield programme. But when the gut wall is damaged or infected, nutrients will still not be absorbed adequately. The microbiome and gut layer also contribute to the mucosal integrity of the intestine, which is of great importance to the health of the host. The shield programme is therefore built on four pillars to have a true holistic approach: 1. Protein digestion 2. Mucin effect 3. Immune regulation 4. Intestinal flora. All these four elements can be positively influenced by nutrition and together form a great shield of protection during the weaning period. And this starts with the intestinal wall. This first line of protection is covered with a dense layer of mucus. This ‘slimy’ natural layer consists of a complex network of glycoprotein such as mucin. The diet and the microbiota have a strong interaction with this layer and can make or break it. A damaged mucus layer can lead to infection and inflammation. The shield programme includes special processed carbohydrates that positively influence the body’s own mucin production. In addition, antioxidants are included to avoid cell damage and essential oils and yeast products to ensure a healthy gut development and integrity and colonisation of beneficial microbes in the gut, reducing the chance for pathogens to create disorders. This way, we can use nutrition as an effective tool to strengthen the barrier of the intestinal wall post-weaning when the gut is most vulnerable.
Reduction of group medication The effect on weaner performance from the shield pro- gramme has been confirmed in over 50 trials, involving over 50,000 piglets. Key results include reduction in therapeutic
ZnO and group medication of antibiotics, stable manure score, up to 14% improvement on ADG, and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) of less than 1.5 between weaning and 70 days of age. Data from trials involving 7,160 piglets showed an aver- age of 86% reduction in animal daily dose (ADD) of antibiot- ics, without compromising on health and performance, com- pared to averages and benchmark figures (Figure 2). These data confirm that using higher CP levels do not increase PWD.
Key to success lies in revaluation Producing post-weaning feeds is challenging, especially in the post antibiotic and post therapeutic ZnO era. The key lies in revaluation of protein levels, increasing protein digestibility and providing shield protection for weaner pigs to maintain gut integrity and a strong immune system. Formulating weaner diets on the safe side, with low protein levels, is something from the past. Let’s formulate diets with protein levels according to what the piglet really needs and thrives on. Performance and safety can go together.
Figure 2 - New weaning feed concept reduces antibiotics (L), while keeping ADG high (R).
0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70
0.00 Benchmark Shield
*: low zinc = 150ppm. Trial data: Weaning age: 21 days, genetics: Danbred* PIC Pietrain Delivery age: ±70 days, sanitary challenge: medium high to high. Benchmark is the earlier used antibiotic level on the trial farms. Average antibiotic use was calculated on a total of 7,160 piglets.
▶ ANTIBIOTIC REDUCTION | DECEMBER 2021 61
Max 0,72
Min 0,47
– 86% No group medication, low zinc*
Max 0,11
Min <0,01
Long term average growth reference Multiple batches average Shield
390 395 400 405 410 415 420 425 430
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