Making pig, poultry feed more efficient, sustainable

More efficient and environmentally friendly ways of feeding pigs, poultry and rabbits are the focus of a new European research project that will not only make livestock production more sustainable, but will help to reduce Europe’s import of feedstuffs.
The Feed-a-Gene project aims to develop new and alternative feed resources and technologies, and is being led by the French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA). It is also looking to identify and select animals that are better able to adapt to changing conditions, working to optimize both the feed and the animal.
The EUR9 million (US$9.9 million) project sees public and private partners, including Cobb and Buhler, from across the animal production industries in Europe and China working together, and the results should help to improve the position of the pig, poultry rabbit sectors as demand for animal protein continues to rise.

Getting more from less

Feed-a-Gene aims to not only unlock the potential of existing animal feeds but to identify new and alternative feed sources. It will also look at precision livestock production, including precision feeding for better adapting the nutrient supply to animal requirements.
New genetic markers and genetic diversity will be used to breed animals that are more efficient and robust, and capable of using feed resources that are not, or are less, in demand from other industries.
The group is also hoping to develop new and alternative feed and technologies that will make better use of local feed resources, green biomass and by-products from the food and biofuel industries.

Vietnam cracks down on banned pig feed ingredient use

• 

  Andrea Gantz

  Vietnam officials will close down establishments once a third offense of using banned pig feed ingredients.

  From WATTAgNet:
  The Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) is cracking down on pig and pig feed producers that are using substances that are banned for use in feed.
  Nguyen Xuan Duong, vice head of the ministry's Department for Animal Husbandry, during a press conference held April 6, said that businesses in violation of using banned substances in pig feed would be issued warnings for the first two offenses. If a third offense were to occur, the establishment in violation would be forced to close. The MARD official added that closed establishments would also have their names released to the media.
  While the agriculture ministry is taking feed quality concerns seriously, it does admit that there will be challenges for MARD officials to thoroughly do inspections at all facilities because of the imbalance between the number of inspectors and pig production and feed production facilities. As a result, inspections in 2015 will focus on pig producers, feed mixers and traders of pig feed and veterinary medicine. Pig farms that mix their own feed will also be given higher priority for inspections, according to Duong.
  MARD states that during times when pig prices are high, such as now, the use of substandard pig feed appears to increase.

University of Nottingham, Zoetis collaborate on pig feed efficiency study

• 

  Andrea Gantz

  The University of Nottingham and Zoetis are collaborating in a study with the aim of improving pig feed efficiency.

  From WATTAgNet:
  The University of Nottingham has secured funding from Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) to undertake a four-year project with Zoetis, the leading global animal health company, with the aim of improving feed efficiency in pig farming.
  This new project builds on an ongoing partnership between The University of Nottingham and Zoetis and will focus on studies to help maximize muscle growth and improve the health of pig herds on farms. Funding for the research initiative will be in excess of GBP800,000 (US$1.2 million), including the contribution from Zoetis.
  John Brameld, associate professor in nutritional biochemistry at The University of Nottingham and principal investigator, said: "We are very excited to be partnering with Zoetis on such a significant research project which could potentially help to benefit farmers across the globe."
  "Improving feed efficiency in farm animals such as pigs is becoming increasingly important in order to ensure their healthy growth and development, and also to help provide an increasing supply of high quality meat that the world’s expanding population requires."
  The project will bring together the muscle growth and metabolism expertise of Dr. Tim Parr and Dr. John Brameld, both from the University’s School of Biosciences , the pig muscle cell culture specialisms of Dr. Paul Loughna in the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science and the whole body physiology skills of Professor Fran Ebling in the School of Life Sciences.
  It is also anticipated that staff from The University of Nottingham and Zoetis will spend time working within each other’s laboratories, increasing opportunities for the exchange of knowledge, technology and expertise.
  Douglas Harris, senior principal scientist in global therapeutics research for Zoetis, added: "This agreement gives us the opportunity to continue to build upon and strengthen the swine enhanced performance research partnership we’ve had with the exceptional staff at the University of Nottingham. We’re excited about the scientific advances that could arise from the exchange of talent between our organizations and the contributions we can collectively make towards improving global food security."
  Pork is the world’s most widely consumed meat. Over 110 million metric tons of pork is eaten annually, accounting for almost 40 percent of the world’s meat consumption. With the world’s population forecast to grow by a further 2 billion people by 2050, and the associated increase in the world demand for meat, improving the efficiency of animal growth is becoming ever more important globally.

Fat and oil variability creates problems for pig feed formulations

Dr. Mauro di Benedetto, senior technical service manager with Kemin, discussed the outcomes of the company’s European roadshow on the nutritional profile of feed fats and oil based on the data it gathered from European feed mills and pig farmers.
Regarding fat and oil, the main concerns of producers and feed formulators focused on three main areas: quality, variability and evaluation. In terms of quality, oxidative properties and their characteristics prove challenging. Fat and oil composition variability, linked to poor formulations and negative effects on final animal production, was another pervasive issue. Finally, the producer’s ability to evaluate the proper energy values and then search for suitable lipid alternatives concerned those surveyed.


Variability complicates formulating
Fifty years ago, formulators using soy oil and single-origin animal fats faced very low levels of nutrient variability. In contrast, blends of fatty acids and byproducts entered the market in the 2000s and are the most commonly used. This diverse variety of lipids – animal fats, vegetable oils, acid oils, blended fats and recovered vegetable oils – vary in their physical and chemical properties.
How important is oil and fat variability? Very important.
According to trial data provided by Benedetto, young pigs (between 10 and 20 kg) experience variations in digestible energy availability in these fats and oils, which affect their performance.
“The two parameters of energy calculations between free fatty acid contents from oils of different origins can vary from 1-100, which is the situation of fats on the market that feed mills use,” he says. “Unsaturated and saturated ratios are very variable as well.”


Lipid testing
Kemin’s Lipid Evaluation Test (LET) is a new tool the company offers its customers to evaluate the variability of fats and oils.
The test evaluates the oxidative status of fats and oils to assign the proper energy value to the most common lipid sources. It also allows the user to evaluate alternative sources. Ultimately, the tool can be used to reduce feed variability, improve feed optimization, and reduce feed costs.
How does it work? The test takes into account three parameters of oxidative status: the Thiobarbituric acid-anisidin value (TBA), the historic oxidation; peroxide values (PV), present oxidative action; and sensitivity to oxidation (OSI), which points to future outcome.
Then the nutrition parameters (free fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids) and the diluting factors (MIU and NEM) are evaluated. The dietary energy is then tabulated by plugging the data into Wiseman & Blanch formula.
In the end, the user is able to determine the risk of oxidation of fats and oils as a fatty acid profile is produced. According to Benedetto, once this information is made available, one finds that “many times there are surprises.”
Finally, a calculation of energy is used to identify the diluting factors determined by nutritional parameters.
“Always calculate the diluting factors,” Benedetto advises. “If you use corn, you consider moisture, so it not logical to include diluting factors for oils as well?”
The Pig Forum stage is located in the center of Hall 9, the swine hall, at EuroTier. EuroTier 2014 runs Nov. 11-14 in Hanover, Germany.

AB Agri's Premier Nutrition acquires Roses Nutrition

Premier Nutrition, part of AB Agri, has acquired the business of Roses Nutrition Limited. The acquisition, effective July 7, expands Premier Nutrition’s range and expertise in quality pre-mix solutions for pigs and layers.
Dr. Paul Blanchard, who has owned and operated Roses Nutrition in conjunction with his wife Jane Blanchard since 2006, considers Premier Nutrition as the obvious long-term partner for Roses Nutrition. He is convinced that the acquisition will allow the company to continue to develop and provide customers with the timely, innovative and impartial technical advice and leading nutritional products.
“It will help us to build on the solid reputation that Roses Nutrition has developed since it was first conceived 18 years ago,” said Blanchard.
Blanchard believes that the UK pig and layer industries both have a robust long term future, where a focus is maintained on optimising the genetic potential of the stock.  “The demand for up-to-date, practical nutritional advice has never been greater and Roses Nutrition Ltd is now in an even stronger position to provide this advice, whilst being supported by Premier Nutrition,” he said.
Premier’s MD Alistair Cross stated: "The purchase of Roses Nutrition is an important milestone in our plans to grow Premier Nutrition’s core UK base. Roses Nutrition is a long standing client of Premier. “They specialize in providing high quality nutrition expertise and pre-mix solutions, predominantly to pig and layer home mix customers in Northern England and Southern Scotland.
“The acquisition of Roses Nutrition is in line with our aspirations to continue offering first class products and services to livestock farmers in the UK and beyond. Dr. Blanchard has grown his business through the provision of independent advice and a high level of client service. We are delighted to be working together to grow and develop the Roses Nutrition business.”

BPEX Innovation Conference videos available online

Presentations along with the videos of all the speakers from the BPEX Innovation Conference are now available for those who were unable to attend the conference or people who would like to revisit the information presented during the conference. The event, held on June 24 at Stoneleigh, UK, attracted almost 200 people and focused on pig feed and the interpretation of data.
The morning session looked at topics such as potential future pig feed, feed blending and how plant breeding might impact on feed.
In the afternoon, the focus was on data and more importantly the interpretation of that data. Two of the presentations looked specifically at problems producers had encountered and how the interpretation of data had helped identify and solve them.
Conference organizer Miriam Drewett said: “Having access to both presentations and videos of the speakers will be of great help to those who were unable to attend.”
The British Pig Executive (BPEX) is the organization for pig levy payers in England and is a division of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

Register for Total Feed Efficiency for Pigs webinar series

In the first of a two-webinar series sponsored by TOPIGS and presented by WATT Global Media on March 25 at 8 a.m. CDT, pig producers will learn about new, improved nutrition sources and feed alternatives and how, when combined with precision feeding, they can dramatically improve pig health and grow out.
Register for the March 25 webinar: www1.gotomeeting.com/register/895542824.
Pig integrators, producers and processors, pig farm managers, veterinarians, nutritionists, pig feed formulators, pig health professionals are invited to attend.
Dr. Piet van der Aar, managing director of the internationally respected Schothorst Feed Research, The Netherlands, will talk about the use of new feed alternatives, feed production methods and other new insights and technologies concerning the production and use of feed.
Dr. Bruno Silva, professor and researcher in nutrition and swine production and environmental adaptation at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil, will explain the possibilities of precision feeding, where feeding the right amount of nutrients leads to higher results and greater efficiency.
The webinar series will inform pig producers about new, improved nutrition sources and feed alternatives and how these can dramatically improve feed efficiency, pig health and grow out when combined with precision feeding.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency testing feed for PEDv contamination

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is conducting tests to determine whether contaminated animal feed was a factor in spreading the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv) in Canada, according to a report.
The agency said testing has found the virus was present in plasma that originated in the U.S. and was obtained at the Ontario-based third-party manufacturer for Grand Valley Fortifiers, a livestock feed company. The plasma was used in the company's feed pellets, which Grand Valley recalled on February 9. CFIA said results are expected in days of tests to assess whether the feed pellets could have caused PEDv in piglets.
Grand Valley recalled the products after a Kansas State University swine specialist team posted research recommending replacing porcine-based products in diets, removing all animal proteins except milk from diets, and testing porcine feed products.
The virus has killed between 1 million and 4 million pigs in the U.S. since April 2013. It was first detected in Canada on January 22 and has been confirmed on farms in Ontario, Manitoba and Prince Edward Island.

Creep feeding at earlier age can help pig health, profitability

Creep feeding piglets as young as 7 days old can have a big impact on the growth of the animals and ultimately improve profitability for pig producers, according to Kayleigh Almond, piglet nutritionist for Primary Diets. Almond shared her views on creep feeding during the Pig Nutrition in Response to Rising Sow Productivity webinar, which can be viewed online at WATTAgNet. The webinar was sponsored by UltraPro+.
A common question is when to begin creep feeding. Almond said piglets who begin at 7 days old see a much higher weight gain than the ones who began later. Pigs eating creep feed will gain as much as 420 grams per day, versus those who aren't that only gain about 380 grams per day.
Almond said the best start, best finish principle applies here. "If you're getting better weaning weights and they're growing better in the nursery, this is likely to translate to overall better lifetime performance," she said.
The investment in additional feed is well worth it, Almond said, citing a 6:1 return ratio.

Korea DDGS imports up over 100 percent on use in swine feed

Korean imports of U.S. distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) have increased more than 100 percent with continued growth potential as Korean nutritionists gain confidence in utilizing DDGS in swine rations. The U.S. Grains Council hosted a webinar the week of November 3 aimed at feed formulators, swine extension specialists and pork producers, giving the council a longer reach into the Korean swine industry and enabling local partners to share information more broadly among industry colleagues.
As a primary driver of feed grain consumption in Korea, the swine sector is always in pursuit for new hog feeding and management tips. This program enabled participants to review important swine management practices, including the topic of DDGS feeding value in swine rations. Very low levels of DDGS are currently incorporated in Korean swine rations due mainly to the lack of experience with DDGS, even though feed millers and farmers are familiar with and appreciate the product. When the swine sector, and other livestock and poultry sectors, begin using DDGS at recommended levels, a substantial increase in importation of U.S. DDGS up to 1.5 million metric tons per year will occur.
"This webinar was a great experience for Korean swine producers," said Byong Ryol Min, USGC director in Korea. "They were able to learn from a prominent U.S. swine expert, Mike Tokach, extension specialists and swine nutritionist of Kansas State University, ways to increase production efficiency, including through grain formulation that includes DDGS."

Falling feed prices bring pigs back to profitable

U.S. pig production is becoming profitable again as feed prices drop post-2012 drought, according to Purdue Extension agricultural economist Chris Hurt.
"This year, the hog outlook is almost the opposite of what it was last year," said Hurt. "Feed prices, especially corn, have been falling sharply. The hog outlook is profitable, so producers are more likely to be retaining or building the breeding herd and weights are expected to increase as producers hold onto market hogs longer to gain profits on every pound."
The most recent hog numbers available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, from the September Hogs and Pigs Report, showed that hog inventories are unchanged to somewhat larger compared to 2012 numbers. "Yet slaughter in recent weeks has been very low, seemingly indicating a divergence from USDA's reading," said Hurt.
Between mid-August and the end of September, slaughter rates dropped by an average of more than 5 percent and weekly slaughter rates have been down anywhere from 3 percent to 10 percent. But, perceived low slaughter rates could be a skewed perception based on an aberration in the slaughter numbers in 2012, when producers slaughtered more of their stock earlier to try an recoup coming losses due to prices affected by the drought. Now that the outlook has improved, according to Hurt, breeding herd expansion has likely started and hogs are being held to higher weights. These factors mean that fewer animals are headed to market right now and prices have strengthened.
"Given low slaughter numbers, cash prices of hogs have been sharply higher than in the same period in 2012 when they averaged $55 per live hundredweight," said Hurt. "With lower slaughter this year, they have averaged about $68 since mid-August."
Higher cash hog prices combined with lower feed costs are the important drivers for a profitable outlook over the next 12 months. According to Hurt, eastern Corn Belt live-hog prices are expected to average in the mid-$60s in the final quarter of 2013 and the first quarter of 2014. Spring and summer prices are expected to move slightly higher.
With the cost of production estimated at $57 per hundredweight, Hurt said cash prices in the mid- to high-$60s would mean profits of more than $20 per head.

Washington State hog farmer feeding marijuana to pigs

Resident in Washington State can purchase pork products from pigs that have been feed leftover marijuana root, stems and other plant parts from a medical marijuana dispensary.
Since pot is now legal in Washington State, a local pig farmer decided to see if the marijuana mixed with pig feed would affect the taste of the pork. Part green recycling program and promotion, local residents are eager to try the pork products to see if they can taste a difference. The pork products will not get people high and so far, the pigs seem to like eating it. 

Km values key to effective pig and poultry feed, says AB Vista

Knowing how tightly an enzyme binds to a substrate, or the Km value, of commercial phytase enzymes could be the key to enabling pig and poultry producers to make much more effective buying decisions, says AB Vista Research Director, Dr. Mike Bedford. AB Vista produces animal feed ingredients.
Increasing demand for up to 85 percent phytate breakdown — to release additional phosphorus for lower feed costs or to eliminate phytate anti-nutrient effects through superdosing — requires phytases with ever lower Km values. The lower the Km values, the tighter the bond between enzymes and substrates. High Km phytases simply cease to act before phytate concentrations get this low.
"Without access to Km values, end users simply cannot differentiate between a phytase capable only of standard phosphorous release levels at 50-60 percent phytate destruction, and one capable of delivering the full benefits of phytate destruction and superdosing," Bedford adds.

Feeding pigs human food waste poses disease risks

Feeding pigs recycled human food must be done under strictly-controlled conditions, otherwise a producer risks deadly pig diseases, such as foot-and-mouth, classical swine fever and African swine fever, according to the National Pig Association.
These highly infectious diseases, which can be introduced in infected meat - even meat that has been processed and cooked - are economically damaging to a producer and the only effective way to control them is by widespread slaughter of livestock.
NPA's warning comes as "Pig Idea" environmental campaigners call for more left-over foods to be fed to pigs as swill. While recognizing that feeding pigs properly-treated and rigorously-tested foods such as unsold bread and vegetables can deliver significant environmental benefits, NPA warns that there is always a risk of regulatory breakdown, as happened in the 2001 national foot-and-mouth outbreak, when infected swill was fed to pigs on a Northumberland unit in the UK.
"We don't want this campaign to give the public the mistaken impression that it is alright to feed waste food to pigs," says Dr. Zoe Davies, general manager of the National Pig Association.
Feeding waste food from catering establishments including home kitchens and restaurants - even if it is only vegetables - has been banned in the UK since the 2001 national foot-and-mouth outbreak, which devastated countryside tourism and livestock farming and  more than 6 million farm animals to be compulsorily slaughtered.
The law also covers food waste from other premises, including food factories and distribution warehouses that contains or has been in contact with animal by-products such as raw eggs, meat and fish products. None of these items may be fed to pigs, including pigs kept as pets.
"We appreciate that the Pig Idea campaigners have the best of intentions and have been at pains to explain all the legal issues but we remain concerned that promoting the image of pigs eating waste food is unhelpful," says Davies. "The pig industry already uses more than 1 ton per year of by-product from food manufacturing, but only as part of a tightly-regulated and audited process."

Designer pig meat improving pork’s image in Sweden

Designer pork has provided one of the few bright spots in a generally gloomy market for pig meat in Sweden, according to HKScan, the country’s largest meat company. HKScan reports a good start to Swedish sales of Rapsgris, its recently introduced brand of pork produced on the basis of including rapeseed oil in the pigs’ feed. This designer pork meat claims two benefits:
1. The polyunsatured fatty acids from rapeseed oil create a healthier pork by replacing some of the saturated fatty acids present in conventional pig meat.
2. Additionally, the meat is more tender and juicy as well as more flavorsome and is easier to cook.
In Sweden, the launch of Rapsgris began in March 2012 with its appearance on the menu at several top restaurants. Meat of the same type was then offered through retail stores from September. HKScan insists that it has been tailored carefully to suit Swedish conditions, from the amount of rapeseed oil included in the formulation of the feed to the on-farm conditions for producing the pigs.
The company adds that Rapsgris also is a PR success by helping improve the image of pork in Sweden. Domestic pig meat production continues to suffer a long process of decline.
This background was underlined by recent figures showing that fewer than 2.59 million pigs were slaughtered for meat at Swedish abattoirs in 2012, down from 2.85 million in 2011. Pig slaughter peaked in 2004 at 3.36 million pigs before beginning a series of year-on-year reductions.
First data for 2013 have indicated that a decline in pig production is on-going and may even have accelerated. Sweden’s sow numbers in December 2012 fell to 140,900 from 151,800 a year earlier and compared with 168,000 in 2008.

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.

Jyga Technologies, Kansas State partner on lactating sows feed monitoring

Quebec City, Canada-based manufacturer Jyga Technologies has signed a collaboration alliance with Kansas State University, where Jyga Technologies will provide its experience on lactating sows feed delivery and data collection to the Kansas State University Swine Teaching and Research farm. The university farm has recently implemented the gestal solo lactating sows feeding system in its farrowing house.
Kansas State University said it is thrilled about this collaboration with the pork industry's leader in lactating sow feeding. "The gestal solo system will allow us to more closely track feed intake patterns for lactating sows and determine how nutrient levels and management procedures influence intake and productivity" said Dr. Mike Tokach with Kansas State University.
For Jyga Technologies, this collaboration is an important step towards a deeper understanding of lactating sows feeding, a crucial segment of pork production. "We are proud to have reached a collaboration agreement with the most recognized educational institution there is, when it comes to swine feeding," said Stephan Clement, vice president of business development for JYGA Technologies. "We're also thrilled to start working with KSU's solid swine research team." 

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.

Schothorst Feed Research, Topigs partner in new research facilities

Schothorst Feed Research has opened new research facilities for pigs and sows which will allow the company to expand its feed research on technical performances. Topigs has partnered with Schothorst to use the facilities for its own research, and will test its different sow and boar lines.
The two companies plan to expand their capacity for nutritional research, and their interaction between nutrition and genetics will be a structural aspect of the joint research program. The opening of the facilities marks the last stage of a €9 million investment by Schothorst. They will house 350 sows and 3,000 growing/finishing pigs. A separate metabolic unit is established for fundamental, challenge, balance and digestibility experiments.
"We are ready for the future," said Dr. Piet van der Aar, research director of Schothorst. "We are excited about the possibilities that the cooperation with Topigs offers. Our international activities require that we have more expertise about the nutritional requirements of different genetic lines and conditions. We will be better able to advise our customers worldwide based on our own research."

UK pig producers facing feed cost challenges

British pig producers are facing the full brunt of the current international feed crisis, with the price of feed wheat expected to rise to well over £200 per metric ton for the next six to nine months.
“This will push our production costs up to about 170p per kilogram — and with the pig price at 150p per kilogram, you can understand why so many producers are downsizing,” said British Pig Executive Director Mick Sloyan. “I have no doubt that some producers will even decide to get out now, because they have had enough. Others, however, are just scaling back and using the time to do a de-pop and upgrading facilities over the winter because they hope prices will fall back and stabilize in the future.
“This is a very worrying situation and I know it is affecting producers across the world. What’s happened in the U.S. (the drought) is a major concern, especially with the current difficult financial times. Many producers in the EU are also facing the added expense of meeting the partial ban on sow stalls that comes into effect on January 1 next year.
“It’s a real problem and we are trying to get a bit more out of the market," said Sloyan. "I think the retailers will have to bite the bullet — either by taking a hit on their margins, or charging their customers a bit more now, rather than a lot more in the future.”