Fine-Tuning Feed Additive Management

Marnie van Barneveld, Product Application Manager,

BIOMIN Australia Pty Ltd

Each day we hear about the global financial crisis, oversupply of pork in
some countries, and the high cost of traditional feed inputs.
Unfortunately, for some pork producers, they are trying to cope with all of
these and maintain an income.
There have been many articles and papers written which provide useful
and practical information about the main drivers of efficiency and profit in
pork production. However, in difficult times, we often forget about these
and focus on just reducing the cost of production in any way possible,
such as buying cheaper, alternative raw materials and reducing feed
additive inclusions. In fact, this type of knee-jerk reaction can have
long-term negative consequences.
In any production system, efficiency can be optimized by:
1. Enhancing reproductive performance, resulting in
a. Reduced herd FCR
b. Maximized pigs sold/sow/year,
2. Optimizing health through promotion of inherent immunity and
improved gut health, resulting in:
a. Reduced medication costs
b. Full expression of genetic potential
c. Improved feed conversion efficiency
Long term reproductive performance can be negatively impacted by poor
quality raw materials, or by lack of focus on feed intake and health of gilts
and sows. Careful gilt management is extremely important to ensure that
the investment in these replacement animals is paid back in the ensuing
years. Gilts should receive diets with higher specifications than sows, and
attention should be given to ensuring nutrient intake is maximized during
their lactation. The aim for both gilts and sows is to maintain body
condition as much as possible through lactation, so that they are in a good
position to breed again. Feed additives that promote feed intake during
lactation and stabilize gut microflora during times of stress can be money
well spent, as these animals are the foundation for the future. In tough
times it may be tempting to save a few dollars per tonne of feed and
remove them, but you need to ask What is the long term impact of this
action on reproductive performance?
One group of feed additives that are receiving a lot of interest for the
improvement of sow and piglet performance is the phytogenics. Essential
oils,
in
a
well-balanced
combination
and
supported
by
fructooligosaccharides, have proven to be effective in enhancing feed
palatability and improving voluntary feed intakes as well as stimulating

enzyme secretions and stabilizing gut microflora.

In addition, the
antimicrobial properties of several plant extracts can help prevent enteric
imbalances in the young piglet and subsequently improve growth
performance during the period of weaning stress.
With feed costs contributing significantly to total production costs, the
quality of feed raw materials is obviously important. During tough times, it
is easy to compromise on the quality of grains, DDGS and other
feedstuffs. However, we must remember that pigs are very sensitive to
mycotoxins, and while these are regularly found in good quality feedstuffs
they are more probable in poorer quality materials. Zearalenone can
significantly affect reproductive performance in sows, with other
mycotoxins such as aflatoxin, deoxynivalenol, fumonisin and ochratoxin
affecting feed intakes, growth performance and immune status of all
classes of swine.
Over the past 3 years, surveys have been conducted by BIOMIN which
provide useful insights into the prevalence of mycotoxins in different parts
of the world (Chin et al., 2006; Binder et al., 2007; Rodrigues, 2008).
Extracts from the data collected is presented in Figure 1 and Table 1
below. This comprehensive approach allows feed suppliers and animal
producers to assess the risk they face from mycotoxins and make
informed decisions about the management program they should put in
place. As a result of this information, products that provide insurance
against mycotoxins have become the normal practice, rather than the
exception.

Figure 1 - Prevalence of mycotoxins in different geographic regions

Table 1: Prevalence of mycotoxins in different commodities

Corn
Soybean Meal
Wheat/bran
Corn Gluten Meal
Rice/bran
DDGS
Other Feed Ingredients
Finished Feed
Straw/Silage

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

FUM
(71%)
ZON
(28%)
DON
(61%)
ZON
(88%)
ZON
(34%)
ZON
(90%)
DON
(29%)
FUM
(67%)
DON
(57%)

DON
(59%)
DON
(19%)
ZON
(29%)
FUM
(88%)
AfB1
(23%)
FUM
(85%)
ZON
(24%)
DON
(58%)
FUM
(10%)

AfB1
(40%)
OTA
(13%)
FUM
(21%)
DON
(59%)
FUM
(10%)
DON
(76%)
OTA
(22%)
ZON
(54%)
ZON
(7%)

ZON
(37%)
FUM
(5%)
OTA
(16%)
AfB1
(53%)
DON
(3%)
OTA
(13%)
AfB1
(18%)
AfB1
(46%)
AfB1
(4%)

OTA
(15%)
AfB1
(4%)
AfB1
(4%)
OTA
(40%)
NA
AfB1
(8%)
FUM
(8%)
OTA
(26%)
OTA
(4%)

For efficient pork production, promotion of inherent immunity is also a

critical area, and it is closely linked with gut health. Gut health in swine is
becoming increasingly important as understanding grows about the role
that the gastrointestinal tract and the resident microflora play in
absorption and metabolism of nutrients, and the impact on the immune
system. In the past, it was difficult and laborious to examine microbial
communities but newer technologies (PCR, DGGE, FISH) can now be used
that gives more detailed and accurate representations of gut populations,
intestinal morphology and the factors influencing them. The move away
from antibiotic growth promoters and the requirement for more natural
alternatives has advanced such technologies and the subsequent
development of products (probiotics, prebiotics, acidifiers, enzymes,
immune stimulants), and the science supporting their use, can no longer
be ignored. One area that is experiencing significant development focus is
the organic acids.
While the acidification of feeds has long been recognized as beneficial due
to the impact of a lower pH on nutrient digestion, and the effect specific
acids can have against gram-negative bacteria, a new generation of
products are now available that capitalize on the energy component of
certain acids as well as the ability for some to influence the adsorptive
surface of the intestine. Capric and caprylic acids are the main
constituents of medium chain triglycerides (MCT) and these are easily
absorbed in the gut, supplying the animal with an immediate boost of
energy. Butryic acid, on the other hand, is known as an excellent growth
promoter as it increases the density and length of the villi in the intestine,
leading to a larger absorptive surface. When these acids are provided in
the protected glyceride form, it allows them to act as antibacterials in the
intestine and secondly, it masks the unpleasant persistent odor of butyric
acid, making the handling of the product easier. Organic acid

combinations such as these can contribute very positively towards overall

gut health.
With many pork producers under pressure in a tough financial
environment, focusing on the main drivers of efficiency and profit remains
vital. The question should not be How can I cut cost but instead How
can I fine-tune my feed additive management to provide sustainable
benefits? Remember, the most profitable producers are always
challenging their systems and exploring new ways to improve.