As the summer market quickly approaches, pig producers are looking for effective ways to maximize their profits. One key strategy is using specialized pig feed additives. These additives can play a crucial role in enhancing the growth and overall health of pigs, leading to better market performance and higher returns.
Understanding Feed Additives
Pig feed additives are supplements added to diets to boost growth, health and feed efficiency. While traditional feed additives often include antibiotics, there’s a growing shift towards more natural, non-antibiotic options. Modern feed additives are designed to enhance gut health and strengthen pigs’ immune systems, promoting growth without the risk of antibiotic resistance.
Here’s a closer look at some common types of feed additives:
Prebiotics and Probiotics: These beneficial bacteria and fibers promote a healthy gut flora, which is essential for nutrient absorption and overall health. Prebiotics provide food for good bacteria, while probiotics add more beneficial bacteria to the gut.
Acidifiers: These additives help lower the gut’s pH, inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria. In addition, acidifiers improve gastric enzyme activity which improves digestion for pigs.
Enzymes: Enzymes aid in the digestion of feed, ensuring that pigs can maximize the nutrients provided. By breaking down feed components more effectively, enzymes help pigs absorb more nutrients, promoting better growth.
Essential Oils: These natural extracts have various properties, including antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal and antioxidant effects. They help manage diseases, support the immune system and improve gut health.
By incorporating these ingredients into the feed, producers can achieve healthier and more efficient growth in their pigs, ensuring better market performance and higher returns.
Real Results with Feed Additives
Research shows that the right pig feed additives can lead to significant improvements in pig performance. For instance, additives like ProsperEO™ have provided substantial benefits, including increased body weight, improved average daily gain and enhanced feed efficiency.
A field demonstration conducted with over 12,000 mixed-sex pigs across six finishing groups showed impressive results. Pigs were fed one of two dietary treatments: ProsperEO at a rate of 0.5 lbs./ton of finished feed or a control diet for the entire grow-finish period.
Here’s what the results showed:
Increased Body Weight: Pigs fed with ProsperEO showed an average increase of 6.9 lbs. per pig at market.
Improved Average Daily Gain (ADG): The average daily gain improved by 0.14 lbs.
Enhanced Feed Efficiency: Feed efficiency, measured as the feed-to-gain ratio (F:G), improved by 0.11.
Reduced Mortality and Culls: The use of ProsperEO resulted in a 1.2% reduction in mortality and culls.
Decreased Days on Feed: The time pigs spent on feed was reduced by five days.
Increased Return Over Feed Cost (ROFC): Producer experienced an increase of $3.56 in return over feed cost per pig.
High Return on Investment (ROI): The ROI for using ProsperEO at 0.5 lbs. per ton was 8.5:1.
The Science Behind ProsperEO
ProsperEO is a scientifically formulated feed additive that helps naturally boost pig health and growth. It leverages two key components to deliver its benefits: Microfused® Essential Oils and Actifibe® Prebiotic.
Patented Microfused Essential Oils naturally support gut health. By maintaining a healthy gut, pigs can better overcome challenges and maintain growth, especially during periods of stress.
Actifibe Prebiotic is specifically designed to feed beneficial bacteria throughout the entire gut. By fostering a healthy gut microbiome, Actifibe supports the pig’s immune system and overall gut health. A robust gut microbiome is essential for efficient digestion and nutrient absorption, leading to better growth rates.
Get a Free Swine Diet Review
If your feed program hasn’t been reviewed in the last year, you might be missing out on significant cost savings and growth opportunities. Take advantage of a free diet review from a Ralco swine nutritionist. This review can help you compare your current feed program with potential improvements, identify cost savings and boost your bottom line!