The second session of the 2024 Pig Feed Quality Conference streamed yesterday addressed ‘Piglet health through nutrition’. Led by Theerawit Poelkhampha, Associate Professor at Kasetsart University, speakers offered recommendations to ensure a good start with the latest nutritional strategies.
Today, we focus on nursery diets, acid binding capacity, and insoluble fiber. Here are the highlights:
Invest in nursery diets for better overall health
Nursery diets are important for fundamental growth in piglets during the transition phase from weaning to post-weaning. Dr Theerawit explained that while the nursery diet only comprises 8% of the pig’s total nutrition profile, it is the most expensive and vital aspect in helping the piglet transition into adulthood. “The piglet is going through an adaptation phase, there are changes in the gut enzymes and there is a lot of stress which affects the intestine development,” he explained. Focusing on fortifying nursery diets will help reduce incidents of disease and yield better growth later.
Why piglet stomach acidity levels matter for survival
Nursery pigs fare better with feed ingredients that lower the acidity of the stomach environment after weaning. Mike Tokach, Professor at Kansas State University, explained that post weaning, stomach pH levels in piglets can rise, leading to poor protein digestion as a result. Hence, low acid-binding ingredients can be used to maintain an acidic stomach environment. He recommended using ingredients with an acid binding capacity (ABC-4) level of 200 meq/kg or less for maximum efficiency in piglet diets. Research showed wheat had the lowest ABC-4 value among cereals, while sorghum and oats had the highest.
Replacing ZnO with low ABC-4 level diets
Nursery diets with low ABC-4 levels can help minimize using ZnO as a growth promoter. Prof Tokach highlighted a study done with low ABC-4 diets and ZnO to find that the piglets did well if fed a low ABC-4 diet without ZnO. “ZnO has both positive and negative effects. The negative is the environmental and AMR issues it comes with. But we can remove this from piglet diets if we use low ABC-4 diets,” he explained. Low ABC-4 levels in diets also improved pigs’ growth performance and mortality in a commercial setting.
How insoluble fiber helps control post-weaning diarrhea without ZnO
Incorporating fiber in piglet diets is key to managing post-weaning diarrhea, especially when ZnO is banned. Manfred Pietsch, Head of the Business Unit Livestock Applications of J. Rettenmaier & Söhne (JRS), highlighted the difference between soluble and insoluble fibers. Soluble fiber enhances digestive viscosity, potentially fostering harmful bacteria, whereas insoluble fiber reduces viscosity, enhancing intestinal transit. Dr Pietsch also emphasized the critical role of insoluble fiber in piglet nutrition, particularly when antibiotics and ZnO are not options.
Benefits of insoluble fiber for weaned piglets
Research supports the beneficial effects of insoluble fiber in piglets. According to Dr Pietsch, incorporating insoluble fiber into their diets reduces intestinal lesions by limiting the colonization of harmful bacteria. Additionally, studies conducted by JRS and partner universities have shown that piglets on diets rich in insoluble fiber had improved growth and increased beneficial lactobacilli levels. This is because insoluble fiber prevents harmful bacteria from absorbing nutrients, leaving more nutrients available for good bacteria. Dr Pietsch concluded that insoluble fiber is crucial for promoting a healthier gut and overall well-being in piglets.
