of the sow can be reduced by 15% compared to nongravid sows of the same age. The lack of minerals increases with litter size due to higher milk production. Requirements for high producing sows are thus much higher than those for sows of low performance. Therefore, especially older sows (≥ 2nd parity) have a higher risk of being affected by claw problems, which may be only the tip of the iceberg. Importantly, this means just as your sows are becoming profitable, reduced trace mineral status can begin to cause both visible and invisible wear and tear, reducing the profitability of the sow herd.
Is lameness just the tip of the iceberg? As the critical function of the sow is producing viable piglets to maintain the economic certainty of the farm, a specific focus to uterine and then foetal growth is needed as well, not just claw health and locomotion. Unfortunately, the complexities of fertility and pregnancy are not as easily visible as locomotory issues and claw condition. If left unchecked it may not be until weaning weights decline that the economic result of insufficient trace mineral status becomes truly visible. However, it is important to demonstrate effectiveness in improved trace mineral status and sow performance. Biochem has carried out farm trials to demonstrate how improvements in trace minerals can improve claw health and sow longevity.
Field trial data In order to reduce the claw problems on a farm with 750 sows in Northern Germany, sows received a mixture of glycine chelates (Zn/ Mn/Cu at 50/30/10 ppm) in combination with inorganic trace mineral sources during the whole gestation and lactation period. Within a test period of 12 month this change in trace mineral nutrition resulted in positive effects on claw parameters in a high-productive sow herd (Figure 2). Improved claw health was reflected by a reduced replacement rate and higher longevity of sows in that feeding trial (Figure 3).
Figure 2: Effect of application of
E.C.O.Trace® on sow claw score
glycine chelates
Figure 3: Effect of
E.C.O.Trace® rate and longevity of sows.
glycine chelates on replacement
Benefi ts for piglets Of course, a productive sow is the beating heart of any farrowing enterprise, so calculating improvements in the health of the sow visually, such as reduced loss of condition, as well as key reproductive performance indicators is also important. A proper trace mineral supply can support sow performance by providing not just a solid foundation of bone strength for the sow to stand upon, but also a positive maternal nutrient status which benefits the health of new born piglets. Studies on glycine bound trace minerals have shown that supplementation in maternal sow diets can enhance the trace mineral status of new-born piglets and increase piglet birth weight as well.
Figure 4. Trace elements have multiple different roles in maintaining fertility and profitability of the whole herd.
Conclusion As sows are the engine of profitable pig production it is essential that their biological needs are met during their periods of development, gestation and farrowing. The feeding of chelated trace minerals, such as
E.C.O.Trace®
can help to stabilise reproductive performance and
to decrease the number and severity of claw lesions. Ultimately decreasing sow lameness. As a consequence, the number of sows culled due to leg and claw problems can be decreased and lower susceptibility of sows to claw problems allows a higher number of total piglets to be born before sows have to leave the herd.
FEED COMPOUNDER NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 PAGE 33
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