MSD Animal Health announces expansion of the ZUPREVO label in EU

MSD Animal Health (known as Merck Animal Health in the United States and Canada) today announced the expansion of the ZUPREVO® (tildipirosin) label following approval from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use (CVMP) of the European Medicines.
The label for ZUPREVO® (tildiprosin), a broad spectrum antibiotic for the treatment of Swine Respiratory Disease (SRD) associated with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Pasteurella multocida, Bordetella bronchiseptica and Haemophilus parasuis, will now include metaphylactic use which allows clinically-healthy (but presumably infected) or susceptible animals in close contact with diseased animals to be treated to reduce the risk for developing clinical disease. In addition, age restrictions have been removed, allowing ZUPREVO to now be used in piglets of all ages.
“ZUPREVO is an important tool in the fight against SRD, offering long-acting protection against four major pathogens associated with this disease with just one injection,” said Olivia Azlor, MSD Animal Health. “We are pleased to announce these new label changes, which will help veterinarians and producers extend their protection against these costly diseases by reducing the risk for disease spread, and applying earlier treatment to avoid bigger problems and losses.”
SRD often comes along with reduced feed efficiency and growth, making it a major economic concern in pig farms around the world. A number of factors can contribute to SRD, and it seldom results from only one pathogen. Strict management policies and monitoring must be implemented to control the disease and avoid spread of pathogens within herds.

New Jersey gestation crate bill could impact presidential race

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  Tim Larsen/State of New Jersey

  Gov. Chris Christie is getting pressure from both opponents and proponents of a bill to ban gestation crates in New Jersey.

  From WATTAgNet:
  A bill to outlaw the use of gestation crates in New Jersey could have national implications if Gov. Chris Christie chooses to sign it into law.
  Christie has until early December to decide whether to sign a bill that would ban hog farmers in the state from using gestation crates. The bill has the overwhelming support of Republican and Democrat state lawmakers in New Jersey, which only has about 300 hog operations that don’t regularly use crates.
  If the bill is signed into law, it would not greatly impact the U.S. pork industry, it could have a national impact on the political scene. Christie is a potential Republican presidential candidate for the 2016 elections, and his decision is being watched closely by voters in Iowa, the largest pork producing state in the nation and the home of 2016’s first-in-the nation presidential caucuses.
  Christie has received pressure from Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, whose relationship he has carefully cultivated and who could prove a crucial ally in the early-voting state if Christie decides to run. Branstad, a Republican who won easy re-election November 4, is ardently opposed to the restrictions and has called Christie to urge him to reject the bill when an earlier version landed on his desk last year.
  “I called him to tell him how bad I thought it would be and how the people that are involved in pork production, that really understand this, feel this would be very bad,” said Branstad, who added that the crates provide protection to baby pigs that could be crushed by older pigs.

Kemin addresses lipid solutions for improved swine production

Oils and fats continue to be among the most critical ingredients used in feed. However, rising prices and varied sources have led to challenges among the industry. To discuss lipid nutrition and its unique biosurfactant Lysoforte, Kemin, in cooperation with local distributors, hosted technical seminars for swine customers across Asia Pacific.
Spanning the course of two months, the seminars were held in Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and Korea and consisted of a panel of experts to discuss lipid consumption and its influencing parameters that can affect swine health and performance.
Dr. Hseih Hau Houng, professor from Pintung University in Taiwan, explained that like many raw materials, there is no homogeneity when it comes to oil and fat sources, and the varied nutritive values of lipids can greatly influence animal production. He further emphasized that an animal’s ability to properly digest and utilize fat sources affects profitability. In addition, Dr. Hseih Hau Houng shared his extensive research on Lysoforte, which validated the product’s ability to improve fat digestibility in broilers and thus help increase profits.
Also speaking at the seminars, Dr. Yoo Yong Kim, professor at Seoul National University in Korea, highlighted many practical tips for improving sow productivity and reducing feed costs for grower pigs. He recommended maintaining healthy sows by controlling body weight and body fat rather than body condition. Based on expertise and experience from managing his own swine farm, Kim suggested following a batch system and grouping sows together by age. An all-in, all-out production strategy, in which animals are moved to and from facilities in distinct groups, is designed to control the spread of disease by preventing the mingling of groups.
Furthermore, Kim advised on using alternative raw materials like palm kernel meal and coconut meal in pig diets to manage escalating feed costs. He also shared his latest research papers, which confirmed that exogenous bio-emulsifiers can help manage feed costs through its high energy sparing effect. His results showed that bio-emulsifiers can contribute up to 100 kcal of ME/kg and save more than 10 percent of total feed cost.
Further emphasizing the importance of oils and fats for improved production, Kemin shared its research on Lysoforte, a unique biosurfactant that can help to enhance feed digestibility, improve growth performance and boost profitability.
“Research findings by Kemin scientists show that Lysoforte can spare dietary fat up to 1 percent in swine diets and save more than 10 percent of feed costs,” said Dr. C. Sugumar, Kemin product manager. “Lysoforte improves overall fat digestibility and boosts the digestibility of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, thereby lowering fat excretion in feces to improve fecal structure. By reducing fat, the energy value in feed can be reduced by 60 kcal/kg in pigs without affecting weight gain and feed conversion ratios.”
According to Sugumar, poor fat digestibility is a common problem in young piglets. In a 30-day commercial trial administered by Kemin in piglets, the inclusion of Lysoforte at 500 grams/ton improved average daily gains at a rate of 583 grams/day vs. 564 grams/day for the control group. In addition, feed conversion ratios improved to 1.83 compared to 1.94 in the control group even though net energy was reduced by 43 kcal/kg from the standard diet. In this study, Lysoforte helped farmers lower feed cost by up to $3.4/ton.
In addition, Sugumar stated that Lysoforte increases emulsification, promotes more and smaller micelle formation and increases intestinal membrane permeability, which is essential for fat absorption. Improved fat absorption means less fat needs to be included in animal diets, ultimately helping formulators choose less expensive fat sources without negatively affecting growth performance.

Topigs’ weaning rate in Brazil tops national average

Weaning rates for piglets from Topigs genetics were higher than the Brazilian national average in 2012.
In 2012, Brazilian farms with Topigs genetics weaned 29.5 piglets per sow per year. This is 3.2 piglets more than the national average.
The 25 top herds with Topigs genetics weaned 30.4 piglets per sow per year. TOPIGS sows produced 13.0 live born and 12.0 weaned piglets per litter. The average for Brazil was 12.2 live born and 11.2 weaned piglets per litter.
The high production combined with the low pre-weaning mortality, shows the craftsmanship of our Brazilian clients to unlock the high genetic potential of TOPIGS sows. The TOPIGS balanced breeding approach aims for results in sows with high fertility, excellent mothering abilities, and vigorous, strong piglets.

Seminar to focus on zinc oxide in piglet diets

A scientific and technical seminar focusing on the use of zinc oxide in piglet diets will be held on December 10 in Breda, Netherlands. Guest speakers from Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain and Italy will come from various universities and organizations.
The seminar is being presented by Animine and the distributing company Speerstra. An update will be presented on HiZox, a potentiated zinc oxide product, which has shown great interest in countries with or without authorization of zinc oxide at the pharmacological level.
The usage of zinc oxide at pharmacological dosage in piglet diets has been debated for years in the European Union. It became a hot topic in western member states since the publication of the reports from the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), and from the Belgian working group AMCRA. In Belgium, the situation has accelerated since September 1 with the signature of the "Zinc convention" between the authorities and the feed industry. Some zinc oxide-based medicated premixes for piglets have been authorized under the condition of reduced zinc supplementation in the feeds for fattening pigs. This implies that the Belgian pig industry has now the choice to use or not to use, like in many other EU countries, pharmacological dosage of zinc oxide in piglet diets.

Enzyme research grant to focus on piglet digestion, metabolism

Using enzymes to break down compounds in plant-based feedstuffs that impair digestion and metabolism in nursery pigs is being funded by a $100,000 Collaborative Funding Grant from the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. This grant was awarded to BioResource International Inc. (BRI) to help harness the natural power of enzymes to develop sustainable solutions that help feed the world.
NCBiotech's Collaborative funding grant program supports university-company partnerships that advance a company's technology to the marketplace. BRI is collaborating with North Carolina State University professor Dr. Sung Woo Kim, who will lead a project that will provide a feeding strategy to increase the use of plant-based feedstuffs in nursery pig diets and reduce the use of animal-based feedstuffs. This will lead to a reduction in feed cost and meat safety concerns in pig farming.
"We are very grateful for the support from the Collaborative Funding Grant. We hope that information derived from research supported by this grant will ultimately help address some of the specific needs and concerns of pig farmers in North Carolina and around the world," said Giles Shih, BRI CEO. "We are excited about the opportunity for enzymes to provide pig farmers with an economically and environmentally sustainable solution to raise their hogs."

Proper sow nutrition improves piglet quality

Pig nutritionists need to help producers improve piglet quality in order to wean more pigs from larger litters born, while geneticists look after piglet quantity, according to Professor Sandra Edwards at the BPEX Innovation Conference, speaking about sow nutrition.
Sandra highlighted a number of ways to improve piglet quality by the way we feed sows, from weaning right through to the end of pregnancy.
"Fermentable diets, including dextrose or lactose, have been found to produce more mature eggs, higher birthweights, lower birthweight variability and lower mortality," she said.
"We need to feed sows to improve the quality of the placenta and thus the number of embryos implanted. Poorer quality placentas with poorer nutrient supply to the piglets are also linked to stillborns, which have been found to be longer and thinner."
"Arginine and glutamine supplementation can help increase placental quality, which reduces birthweight variation as well as the number of piglets less than 1.1kg. Essential fatty acid, DHA, fed in the last month of pregnancy can help reduce stillbirths despite sows having a longer farrowing duration."
Piglet vitality immediately after birth is also important; it is not just about birthweight. Early suckling for colostrum intake is important to wean a strong litter.
"Also, I think the pig industry should look into transition diets to ensure sows can produce the colostrum and milk needed to rear larger litters," Sandra said. "We need to talk to our dairy industry colleagues about this.
To view the video of Sandra's presentation and those of the other speakers, go to www.bpex.org.uk/news/events/innovation/presentations.aspx

Feed ingredient producer organizes pig symposium

On April 17, Orffa Additives, a feed ingredient producer, organized its yearly Benelux Symposium. Among the highlights for this year were amino acid nutrition in piglets and a completely new type of trace minerals for all animal species. Hydroxy trace minerals were recently approved in the European Union and the interest for monogastrics as well ruminants were discussed during the symposium.
Orffa hosted nutritionists, researches and other interested people from the animal nutrition industry. In total around 100 people attended the symposium, which was held in Etten-Leur in the Netherlands. Chairman of the day was Professor Geert Janssens from the University of Ghent in Belgium.
Further research on amino acid nutrition in piglets
The first presentation was held by Dr. Mathieu Gloaguen from the French National Institute for Agricultural Research. He presented the conclusion of his long term research on amino acids nutrition in piglets. Today, piglet diets are formulated with a low crude protein level to support gut health and to lower feed cost. Reducing the level of crude protein is possible, but the levels of essential amino acids should be controlled. Much is known about the first limiting amino acids but data of other essential amino acids, like phenylalanine et tyrosine, is often lacking. Gloaguen presented the latest update from his Ph.D. and post doctoral work in this field.
Meta-analysis for tryptophan in growing pigs
Last year, the tryptophan meta-analysis for piglets was discussed on the Orffa symposium. This year, Aude Simongiovanni from Ajinomoto Eurolysine S.A.S. presented a new meta-analysis for tryptophan, this time focusing on growing pigs. She also presented new trial work with results that were perfectly in line with her meta-analysis. The tryptophan requirement in growing pigs is confirmed in new trials.
Valine nutrition in sows
Dr. David Sola from Universitat Autonoma in Barcelona gave a presentation on amino acid nutrition in sows. Nutritionists are researching the requirements of sows and so also on amino acid usage. Sola shared his knowledge with focus on Valine with the audience.
Feedipedia, a worldwide reference on animal feed resources
Dr. Gilles Tran from the association Française de Zootechnie presented an internet database for animal feed resources. It can be used freely and gives qualitative and quantitative information.
Impact of trace elements on nutrient stability in feed and optimized trace element supply in monogastric animals
Last year, Orffa introduced a new form of trace minerals: hydroxy trace minerals. Meanwhile IntelliBond C (copper) and IntelliBond Z (zinc) are approved in the EU for use in all animal species. Dr. Detlef Kampf from Orffa Additives gave a presentation on this new form of trace minerals. Hydroxy trace minerals are used in the U.S. and have shown benefits both from technical and nutritional point of view. Kampf emphasized the benefits of IntelliBond in piglet and poultry nutrition, by showing the latest results from different studies.
Importance and solutions for an optimal trace mineral supply in ruminants
Jerry Spears from the North Carolina State University gave a very interesting presentation on the trace mineral supply in ruminants. Spears is a researcher in the field of trace elements. He gave an overview of trace elements in general and discussed intestinal behavior and uptake by the animal. He presented his research and experiences in general with hydroxy trace minerals in ruminants in comparison with inorganic and organic trace minerals.

European Commission approves one-shot piglet oedema vaccine

European-wide approval has been granted to Ecoporc Shiga, the first one-shot vaccine against oedema disease in piglets. The vaccine, developed and launched by IDT Biologika, provides reliable immunity against this lethal disease estimated to affect 100 million piglets per year worldwide.
“Ecoporc Shiga is now a real alternative to antibiotics and other measures to avoid the threat of outbreaks in nursery pigs,” says Dr. Andreas Becker, international marketing manager at IDT.
With the approval from the European Commission, IDT will be organizing international distribution of the new vaccine, which has already been licensed in Switzerland.
Shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli cause oedema disease, resulting in serious economic losses to the pig industry through a high rate of mortality or depressed performance among infected pigs. In individual herds, up to 15 percent of piglets can die — often the heaviest pigs. Ecoporc Shiga induces a high level of immunity against Shigatoxin (Stx2e, also known as Verotoxin immunity Vtx2e).
Piglets are vaccinated once at four days old to provide proven immunity from weaning and through the entire critical finishing phase. Comparative field studies with Ecoporc Shiga have demonstrated a reduction in mortality due to oedema disease from 11.4 percent down to 0 percent. 

Porcine stress syndrome linked to genetic mutation

USDA pig researchers have more insight into porcine stress syndrome after mapping the stress disorder to a genetic mutation located in the dystrophin gene—the largest known gene in the mammalian genome. Porcine stress syndrome is associated with poor response to stressors like transport and with poor-quality pork.
It has been eliminated from commercial herds in the United States, but stress-related issues, most often associated with transportation, continue to cause substantial losses—an estimated $50 million per year—to the U.S. swine industry.
Scientists at the Agricultural Research Service’s Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) in Clay Center, Neb., have identified a previously undetected genetic stress syndrome that is most likely affecting the pig industry. They are mapping the defect in pigs to get to the root of the problem.
Research into this rare, life-threatening condition, which causes a fast rise in body temperature, severe muscle contractions, and sometimes death, was limited until the discovery of a similar disorder in pigs, referred to as porcine stress syndrome.
Piglets underwent general anesthesia, and their heart rates and electrocardiographs (ECG) were monitored. Pigs identified as having the stress syndrome had abnormal ECG readings and sometimes died, whereas the heart rate of unaffected pigs remained steady. In some cases, piglets that did not undergo the anesthesia challenge were identified as having the stress syndrome when they had a stress response or died during typical procedures, such as weighing.
Researchers found that creatine phosphokinase was about three times higher in pigs suspected of having the disorder.
The discovery of the defect may provide a unique biomedical model for cardiomyopathy—a heart muscle condition—associated with muscular dystrophy in humans. Scientists at USMARC and Iowa State University are investigating the possibilities.
In the meantime, scientists are using next-generation sequencing technology, which produces millions of DNA sequences simultaneously, to completely sequence the chromosomal region in affected and normal animals and to identify all the DNA variation in dystrophin.
The main goals are to identify the mutation, test as many commercial pigs as possible, find out how prevalent the new stress syndrome is, and develop strategies in cooperation with the pork industry to eliminate it from the U.S. pig population.

New supplement may improve weanlings pigs gut health

Research on adding chitooligosaccharide (COS) to a piglet’s diet was conducted to investigate the effects of supplementing different molecular weights (MW) on intestinal morphology, selected microbial populations, volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations and the immune status of the weaned pig.
In the study, 28 piglets (24 days of age, 9.1 kg (± s.d. 0.80) live weight) were assigned to one of four dietary treatments for eight days and then were sacrified. The treatments were (1) control diet (0 ppm COS), (2) control diet plus 5 to 10 kDa COS, (3) control diet plus 10 to 50 kDa COS and (4) control diet plus 50 to 100 kDa COS. The COS was included in dietary treatments at a rate of 250 mg/kg. Tissue samples were taken from the duodenum, jejunum and ileum for morphological measurements. Digesta samples were taken from the proximal colon to measure lactobacilli and Escherichia coli populations and digest samples were taken from the caecum and proximal colon for VFA analysis. Gene expression levels for specific cytokines were investigated in colonic tissue of the pig.
Supplementation of different MW of COS did no show significant effect on pig performance during the post-weaning period (days 0 to 8; P > 0.05). The inclusion of COS at all MW in the diet significantly reduced fecal scores compared with the control treatment (P < 0.01). Pigs fed the 10 to 50 kDa COS had a higher villous height (P < 0.05) and villous height:crypt depth ratio (P < 0.05) in the duodenum and the jejunum compared with the control treatment. Pigs fed the 5 to 10 kDa COS had a lower lactobacilli population (P < 0.05) and E. coli population (P < 0.05) in the colon compared with the control group. Pigs offered the 5 to 10 kDa COS had significantly lower levels of acetic acid and valeric acid compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The inclusion of different MW of COS had no significant effect on the expression of the cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and IL-10 in the gastrointestinal tract of the weaned pig.
The current results indicate that a lower MW of 5 to 10 kDa COS possessed an antibacterial activity, while the higher MW of 10 to 50 kDa was optimum for enhancing the intestinal structure.

AM Walsh, T Sweeney, B Bahar, B Flynn, JV O’Doherty. 2012. The effect of chitooligosaccharide supplementation on intestinal morphology, selected microbial populations, volatile fatty acid concentrations and immune gene expression in the weaned pig. Animal, 6(10):1620-1626. doi:10.1017/S1751731112000481.

Common bacteria could help piglets fight disease during weaning

In a study of 36 weaning piglets, researchers found that a dose of lipid-producing Rhodococcus opacus bacteria increased circulating triglycerides, a crucial source of energy for the immune system.
“We could potentially strengthen the immune system by providing this bacterium to animals at a stage when they are in need of additional energy,” said Janet Donaldson, assistant professor in Biological Sciences Mississippi State University. “By providing an alternative energy source, the pigs are most likely going to be able to fight off infections more efficiently.”
Donaldson and other researchers tested R. opacus because the bacterium naturally makes large amounts of triglycerides. Normally, R. opacus would use the triglycerides for its own energy, but a pig can use the triglycerides too.
Jeff Carroll, research leader for the USDA Agricultural Research Service Livestock Issues Research Unit in Lubbock, Texas, said “R. opacus could be used sort of like an energy producing probiotic. Weanling pigs are more susceptible to pathogens and stress because they have to adjust to a new diet and environment. To add to the risk, weaning comes at a time when a pig’s immune system is immature. The stress of weaning can lead to reduced feed intake, less available energy and an increased risk of infection.”
With an oral supplement of live R. opacus, weanling pigs would have an alternative source of energy. Even if pigs ate less feed, they would still have access to the triglycerides produced by these bacteria. The triglycerides could be used as an energy source during this critical stage of development.
Throughout the experiment, the researchers kept watch for any potential side effects. Donaldson said they saw no negative side effects in the pigs given R. opacus. Because of this success, Donaldson said pig producers might someday use R. opacus on their own farms. She said the bacteria could be provided to pigs through existing watering systems.
The next step in the experiment is to test how pigs given R. opacus react to an immune challenge such as Salmonella. Carroll said he is also curious to see if R. opacus can help calves stay healthy during transport.
“This could potentially be carried over to human health as well,” Donaldson said.
This study was a collaboration between Janet Donaldson at Mississippi State University; Jeff Carroll at USDA-ARS’ Livestock Issues Research Unit; Ty Schmidt at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Todd Callaway at USDA-ARS’ Food and Feed Safety Research Unit; Jessica Grissett at Mississippi State University; and Nicole Burdick Sanchez at USDA-ARS’ Livestock Issues Research Unit.
The abstract from this project, titled “Novel Use of Lipid-Producing Bacteria to Increase Circulating Triglycerides in Swine,” is the 2013 recipient of the National Pork Board Swine Industry Award for Innovation. The award will be presented at the 2013 American Society of Animal Science Southern Section Meeting in Orlando, Florida.

Heavier born piglets may result in greater long-term productivity

When it comes to piglet litters, size matters. Larger numbers of piglets per litter have a direct correlation with an operation’s total pigs marketed; however, for these pigs to meet their full potential, adequate birth weights are necessary.
“No matter the genetics, the management or the facilities, birth weight plays a big factor in a pig’s lifetime productivity,” says Dr. Gawain Willis, director of nutrition services for Purina Animal Nutrition LLC.
Willis explains that measuring birth weights are especially important as current genetics are helping sows move towards larger litters. Unfortunately this trend is also resulting in a trend toward lower birth weights. In fact, research shows the average birth weight of each pig drops an average of 0.10 pound for each additional pig in the litter.[1]
“As the industry evolves and larger litters become more common, producers must pay close attention to birth weights in their farrowing units,” he says.
Purina Animal Nutrition has evaluated birth weights at the Purina Animal Nutrition Center in Gray Summit, Mo., for several years. Along with Brenda De Rodas, director of swine research with Purina Animal Nutrition, Willis measured birth weights on 2,456 litters over a 5-year timespan. The two found that a 1-pound difference in birth weight (3.1 pounds versus 2.1 pounds) resulted in twice the survival rate from birth to weaning.[2]
“Birth weights played a significant role in pre-weaning mortality rates,” Willis says. “Almost all of our pre-weaning mortality occurred in the smaller birth weights. Growth rates, feed efficiency and piglet vitality were also noticeably improved with higher birth weights.”
Heavier-born pigs were able to get off to a proper start and also reached weaning and market weights quicker; with 2.8 pounds higher weaning weights. When looking at the timeline to finishing, pigs born between 3.1 and 3.5 pounds reached the marketable weight of 270 pounds, 7 days sooner than pigs with birth weights of 1.6 to 2 pounds. [2]
Increased nutrients through gestation and lactation are one major factor required to allow sows to produce these heavier litters. Willis explains that higher-producing sows require increased nutrients to achieve long-term production or they may fall out of the herd too soon.
If the nutritional needs of the sow aren’t met, the potential remains for low birth weights.
“Failing to feed sows for increased productivity can also lead to rebreeding problems and high sow culling rates,” Willis says. “But feeding them properly can result in greater efficiency for both the piglets and the sows. Lifetime productivity of sows and the pigs they produce begins with feeding the sows the quality and quantity of nutrients they require.”



[1] Willis, Gawain. “Sow nutrition, health and management.” Purina Animal Nutrition LLC. Swine VIP Presentation, Sept. 4, 2013. Gray Summit, Mo.
[2] De Rodas, Brenda and Gawain Willis. “Litter size and birth weight and its impact on long-term production.” Purina Animal Nutrition LLC Research Study, Purina Animal Nutrition Center. 2006-2012.

Animine conducts research using HiZox in piglet diets

Animine recently presented results from three piglet diet experiments conducted in Asia at the 15th Conference of the Asian Association of Animal Production Bangkok.
HiZox, as a source of potentiated zinc oxide, was tested at low inclusion rate in comparison to the pharmacological dosage of the regular ZnO in piglet diets. Trials differed by piglet age at weaning, feeding program during the nursery phase, diet composition, levels and sources of zinc oxide, antibiotic supplementation, and level of growth performance. In the typical conditions found in the three countries, HiZox fed piglets had the highest growth, resulting in increased weights at the end of the experimental phase.
Trials were supervised by Chulalongkorn University in Thailand, Dankook University in Korea and the Institute of Agricultural Sciences in Vietnam. 

Vitamin D essential for sow and piglet health, milk production

The changing of seasons may result in seasonal Vitamin D deficiency in sows, according to research, which shows that supplementation of the “sunshine vitamin” becomes especially important in sow performance as the hours of natural sunlight dwindle into winter.
According to Dennis Short, Ph.D., swine nutritionist for Purina Animal Nutrition LLC, Vitamin D is one of the essential vitamins in sow rations year-round. Though the typical requirement for this micronutrient is only 0.004 pound of a vitamin D 500,000 International Units (IU) per gram premix per ton of swine finishing feed, adequate levels are necessary to promote herd health. As natural sunlight becomes less prevalent, ration supplementation of Vitamin D becomes even more important.
“From October through February, we don’t see as much Vitamin D available to the sow because of reduced photochemical conversion from the sun,” said Short. In addition, UVB (ultraviolet B, which converts 7-dehydrocholesterol in the animal’s skin to Vitamin D3) does not readily pass through glass for sows housed indoors even if windows are present.
As a result, sows are more prone to Vitamin D deficiencies in the winter months. Without proper levels of Vitamin D, sows can experience osteomalacia, higher levels of lameness, decreased feed intake, reduced nutrient absorption and produce lower quality colostrum. Meanwhile, pigs raised by Vitamin D-deficient sows may have more significant levels of lameness and locomotive disorders and a greater potential for hypocalcemia, rickets and mortality.
When it comes to locomotion issues, Short said he has seen numbers increase steadily within the industry. In fact, the Iowa State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory saw 10 cases of metabolic bone disease in 2003. The number grew to 40 in 2011. Mineral deficiencies may be a contributing factor to increased levels of sow lameness.
“Many cases of metabolic bone disease are caused by low dietary mineral levels,” said Short. “To prevent metabolic bone disease, sows must be fed a mineral mix that provides the proper levels of calcium, phosphorous and Vitamin D.”
Vitamin D is also a key driver of colostrum quality. Because pigs are born with relatively low levels of the vitamin, high quality colostrum produced by the sow can help the pigs better reach their full potential. “Colostrum is a fairly rich source of Vitamin D,” said Short. “When we have larger litters, each pig receives less colostrum and may experience lameness and/or health issues later in life. Supplementing sows with Vitamin D can improve nutrient levels provided to the pigs through colostrum and through lactation.”
Many industry groups and researchers have recognized the need for additional attention to Vitamin D. The National Research Council of The National Academies recently increased their Vitamin D requirement fourfold for gestating and lactating sows to 800 international units per kilogram (IU/kg) (90 percent dry matter). When selecting vitamin and trace mineral supplementation, Short said he encourages producers to work with a nutritionist to create the proper combination and mixture of Vitamin D and other essential vitamins.

Consistent sow body condition vital to optimum pig production

Adequate sow body condition scores during gestation may enable quicker return to estrus post-weaning, according to Mike Hemann, Great Lakes Region swine nutritionist for Purina Animal Nutrition LLC, who said that sow rations should be formulated so body condition scores remain steady through the production cycle.
Producers should maintain a score of 2.9 to 3 on a scale of 1 to 5 within their sow herds, according to Hemann. Sows with a score of 3 will have backfat measurements of 0.59 to 0.86 inches and the sow’s ribs, hips and backbone will be able to be felt with firm pressure but not observed visually. “Nutrition comes into play in a big way when we look at herd health and sow longevity,” he said. “Feeding sows so they have consistent, healthy body condition scores can improve longevity and help the sow become capable of producing 30 full potential pigs in one year.”
Along with the potential for improved birth weights and higher productivity in lactation, Hemann said that sows in ideal body condition may return to estrus quicker post-weaning. Reducing the days between weaning and estrus can then influence efficiency within the herd by helping the sow move onto her next litter quicker. “We want to try to reduce the days to return to estrus as much as possible and get that number as close together in the group of sows as we can,” said Hemann. “Keeping that number low and individual body condition scores steady comes from managing nutritional intake during lactation and then making sure sows are not under-conditioned going into the breeding barn."
The most efficient sows will return to estrus in four-and-a-half to five days on average post-weaning, according to Hemann. In addition to proper nutrition, routine body condition scoring protocol can promote consistent condition. Herds that have consistent body condition scores typically have one or two people trained in the process whose focus is routine score evaluation. These employees are responsible for adjusting feed drops in gestation and managing feed intake in order to promote and maintain ideal body condition scores.
“A good way to manage this is to divide the herd into four groups,” said Hemann. “Each week one group is evaluated for BCS, allowing all sows in the herd to be evaluated on a monthly basis for BCS by the assigned employees.” Hemann said he encourages managers to post a list of the sows to be evaluated in the farm office on a weekly basis to keep the process top of mind. After evaluating the condition of the sows, rations can be adjusted accordingly so ideal body condition scores are maintained through all production stages.
“The key to consistent productivity is to maintain adequate body condition in gestation, to return sows to ideal body condition as soon as possible after breeding and then to maximize intake during lactation,” he said. “One way to promote and help maintain consistent [body condition scores] is to have fresh feed in front of sows at all times and then to stimulate them to eat several times per day during the lactation period. Properly conditioned sows are better able to care for their litters, will come out of lactation in better condition and may return to estrus quicker."

Piglet nursery management vital to healthy, fast-growing animals

Nursery management is critical for healthy, fast-growing pigs, according to Steve Toft, Hubbard Feeds swine specialist, including later weaning and high feed intake.
Three factors in particular — high health, high feed intake and fast growth — go together to improve producers' profits by reducing the cost of feed per pound of grain. In addition, several things can be done to allow pigs to make a smooth transition to the growth-finish phase, according to Hubbard swine specialists:

• Get pigs on full feed as quickly as possible
• Provide fresh, clean water at all times
• Monitor and adjust ventilation to prevent drafts
• Monitor air quality
• Continually monitor pigs for any signs of stress or abnormalities
• Check feeders for proper adjustment
• Make sure the temperature guideline for the first week in the nursery is an 84-degree set point

Animal feed ingredient costs a challenge for pig producers

Skyrocketing prices in spray-dried whey together with changing values of bakery and distiller’s grains are creating a real challenge for pig producers, according to Dr. Joel DeRouchey of Kansas State University, speaking at the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa.
DeRouchey noted that spray-dried whey has seen a “marked increase” in price in recent months, particularly when put in a historical context. Four years ago spray-dried whey – an important component of piglet diets – was selling for .24 a pound. Spray-dried whey is now selling for .75 a pound. “We need to be careful not to over budget or use too much of this as it can put us in the red, economically,” he said.
Download Dr. DeRouchey’s full PowerPoint presentation: World Pork Expo animal feed ingredient costs.
DeRouchey also spoke about bakery, a by-product of the human food industry and a common feed alternative for many producers in the Midwest. “Book values of bakery are not very representative of the actual bakery being marketed today,” he said. He noted that original book values for bakery had been for approximately 11 percent fat, an important number since fat contributes a major portion of bakery’s energy content. However, most bakeries are now producing product that is in the 7 percent to 9 percent fat range, which significantly reduces its energy value and consequently the price that producers can afford to pay for the product.
“This just reinforces the fact that with any ingredient we’ve got to know what it is we’re feeding. We’ve got to know the nutrient analysis so we can value it correctly,” he said.
DeRouchey also noted that distiller’s grains are currently going through a big transformation, citing a statistic that by the end of 2012, 80 percent of ethanol plants will be selling a reduced oil product. Instead of offering a distiller’s grain with a fat content of 10 percent to 11 percent, this will drop to 7 percent to 9 percent, with many plants offering a product that is even lower in oil content.
Particle size was also discussed, with DeRouchey noting that for every 100 micron change in particle size producers can expect a 1.2 percent improvement in feed efficiency, which is worth approximately $1 a pig. “If we feed them corn, that’s 600 microns versus 700 microns,” he said. He went on to say that if a producer is able to feed a high quality pellet, the feed efficiency response is generally about 6 percent to 7 percent and can potentially be looked at as an expense that can be gained back, though this is dependent on the circumstances of each producer.
“Many producers are asking more questions,” he observed. “They’re asking what they can afford, and whether pelleting feed is a viable option for them, economically.”

Improving piglet immunity through sow-mediated immunity

Henri Salmon, Inra – France, spoke about the link between pig nutrition, microflora and the host at the Lesaffre symposium held in Lille, France, November 8-9.
According to Salmon, the survival of neonate piglets depends directly on the acquisition of maternal immunity via colostrum then milk, affording respectively systemic and mucosal protection. Yeast has long been known to help intestinal flora recovery after pathogen challenges. The speaker said that concerning yeast, SC boulardii had been first described to decrease diarrhea occurrence in consumers of litchis in Cambodia at the beginning of the 20th century.
The immunity system is compartmentalized: the IgM molecules are very heavy and don’t move fast enough to fight disease, so IgG is the queen of the fight in all the cellules spaces, with an adhesive action on the pathogen (antiseptic immunity) and IgA is a kind of “fly killer paper” as it is placed on the mucus. The pathogen adheres to IgA and, with intestinal peristaltic, is excreted with mucus. Thus, the piglet immunity system uses two different strategies to reduce the occurrence of diarrhea. Before farrowing, the sow concentrates IgG. Through the colostrum, she gives a kind of “bolus” of IgG to the piglets that can be used during the first 36 hours, as the digestive tract is very permeable. Then milk contributes for IgA. Whereas colostral IgG are mainly due to accumulation of blood IgG in the acini of the mammary gland at the end of the pregnancy, milk IgA originates from plasma cells: according to their homing receptors, these cells originate from separate mucosal compartments in the respiratory tract and intestine. Such entero-mammary links may be induced or enhanced by probiotic in the feed. The scientist investigates if feeding some sows with various S cerevisiae strains may increase the IgA in colostrum or/and in milk.
Feeding pregnant sows with S cerevisiae strain CNCM I 3856 at 0.05% increases concentration of IgG in colostrum and IgA in milk. It also decreases the incidence of non-typed E. coli diarrhea in piglets. Higher IgG concentration in the colostrum may be associated with increase of blood IgG translocation (more FcRn) and maintenance of IgA level in the milk might be due to persistence of plasma cells in mammary gland and/or in gut and/or lower decay of plgR (translocation site).
Acidity in the intestinal tractus also influences the IgA: it has been shown that butyrate, for example, is able to activate the transport system of IgA, which, in turn, is an incitation to increase the IgA production. Any action improving the IgA production in the sow has a protective action through the milk in the piglet.
In vitro study had been realized at the same time with the same yeast strain. It modulates epithelial cell responses to F4+ E.coli (ETEC) by decreasing the expression of pro-inflammatory transcripts. At the same time, there was a decrease in the mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK ½ and p38 phosphorylation. S. Cerevisiae regulates mRNA levels of the anti-inflammatory PPAR-gamma nuclear receptor, the IL-12p35 cytokine and the CCL25 chemokine involved in gut mucosal immunity.
Salmon concluded that S. cerevisiae strain CNCM I 3856 exhibits various probiotic properties enhancing the sow mediated immunity, probably by intervening at several complementary levels, the resident microflora of the gut and the gut epithelial cells.

Colibacillosis in pigs reviewed at Lesaffre symposium

Eric Cox, Ghent University, Belgium, spoke about the link between pig nutrition, microflora and the host at the Lesaffre symposium held in Lille, France, November 8-9.
According to Cox, 11% of all piglet deaths in post-weaning are due to diarrhea. It causes the death of +/-10 million piglets every year across the world. Around half of the diarrheas are due to E. coli. And no one knows for sure how much oedema provoked by E. coli costs pig producers. In newborn piglets, severe watery diarrhea can be caused by enterotoxigenic E. coli, ETEC, producing F4 (K88), F5 (K00), F41 or F6 (P987) fibriae (colonization factor). Colibacillose in weaned piglets is the result of infection with F4+ or F18+ ETEC or F18+ verotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC). Beside fibriae, ETEC produce thermolabile (LT), thermostable a (STa) and/or b (STb) enterotoxins which induce the secretory diarrhea resulting in weight loss, growth retardation and mortality, whereas sVTEC produce the Shiga toxin STX2e that binds to globotetraosylceraminde on endothelial cells, resulting in oedema, hemorrhage and micro thrombosis leading to nervous signs and mortality.
Newborn animals can be protected via the milk by vaccination of the sow against neonatal colibacillosis. This lactogenic immunity ceases at weaning, making weaned piglets highly susceptible again for enteropathogens. Weaned piglets lack or weakly express receptors on their enterocytes for F5, F6 and F41 fimbriae, but not for F4. The latter are highly expressed in the jejunum of newly weaned piglets making them highly sensible to F4+ ETEC infections. Three serological variants of F4 had been identified.
Piglets can have receptors on their enterocytes for adhesion of one or more of these variants, but receptor expressions can also be completely absent, resulting in resistance against infection. One of those variant (F4ac) is highly immunogenic fimbria that, upon oral administration, results in a specific intestinal IgA response and a protective mucosal immunity against an infection with a virulent F4ac+ETEC strain. Regarding the F18 strains, Cox and his colleagues had investigated the genetic population around the world and had been able to prove that 96% of all the strains have the same adhesion (FedF) and the same receptors on the villous enterocytes, which give a good basis to develop a worldwide management of the disease it provokes. Scientists had identified very recently these receptors as blood group O/A sugars. This identification is very important as it opens a door to fight against the adhesion on the mucosal sites and differ from strain to strain. If the F18 are glycolipides, the F4 receptors had been identified as glycoproteins.
Receptor for F18 fimbriae are absent in newborn piglets and gradually appear at the age of one week, resulting in sufficient receptors in three-week-old piglets for colonization with the F18+ ETEC and/or VTEC strains. Piglets without stress sensitivity gen (FUT1gen) are also without those receptors, a fact that militate to a genetic investigation to decrease diarrhea sensitivity in piglets.
F18 fimbriae are not very immunogenic. Oral administration of those strains does not result in immune response. Prevention of post weaning colibacillosis is difficult and should be based on prevention of predisposing factors, high hygiene and stimulation of the immune system (for F4 challenges). Although oral vaccines are on the market in the U.S. and Canada, there is doubt on their efficacy, and there is a need for developing vaccines, which can be applied during the suckling period.
Other differences had been lightened between F4 and F18 infection; the excretion of coli is quite different. F4 is excreted very soon after infection and thus is easiest to treat on the farm.