Supporting piglet resiliency

Challenges at the microbial level can begin to affect performance and productivity before producers are even fully aware of the issue, with effects rippling through the production system.

Today, advancements in molecular biology have given us the tools necessary to understand what optimal gut health looks like and new solutions to prevent and treat these issues.

Evolving threats call for evolving solutions

These advancements have allowed us to develop solutions to effectively fight PWD, E. coli infections and other harmful bacteria. Celmanax from Arm & Hammer works proactively in the gut to build resilience to challenges before they occur and reduce the need for antimicrobials during the nursery phase.

Pigs benefit from Refined Functional Carbohydrates (RFCs) delivered through the product. These natural ingredients work proactively in the gut, building up the piglet’s resilience to challenges that may come along the way. From supporting growth of beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, to reducing pathogenic bacteria, RFCs help maintain high performance in the face of gut challenges.

When fed to sows, the product can optimise immunoglobulins in colostrum and deliver optimal immunity to piglets. Piglets are especially susceptible to E. coli infections and PWD after weaning. In vitro studies show feeding the product at this stage may prevent attachment of E. coli and other harmful bacteria to the intestinal lining and limits susceptibility to these bacteria.

Solutions in action

Agro-M Zrt., in Orosháza, Hungary, used the product to effectively boost piglet immunity and reduce the number of piglets needing antibiotic treatment. Founded in 1976, Agro-M Zrt. is a 2,200-sow operation farrowing 58,600 piglets annually. After using zinc oxide for decades, the farm’s manager began to consider other options to help produce more resilient sows and piglets.

The farm began feeding the product in 2014 to improve colostrum quality in sows, decrease PWD in piglets and improve preweaning body weight. The product is fed to the sows during gestation and lactation and to piglets in creep feed and nursery diets. Compared to zinc oxide, piglets fed the product on the operation consistently needed less antibiotic treatment.

Agro-M Zrt. conducted two nursery trials in 2014 after transitioning to the product. The trials compared piglets from sows fed the product supplemented with low level zinc to a control group that continued use of zinc oxide at 3000 ppm (Figure 1). The results showed that piglets from the group using the product had lower instances of PWD and higher weaning weights compared to the control group.

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After the trials, Agro-M Zrt. stopped using zinc oxide at a therapeutic level, instead using zinc only as a trace mineral in nursery diets. Using the product helped the operation produce healthier piglets and reduce the demand for antibiotics and other medical care, dropping operating costs significantly.

Keeping piglets resilient in the face of threats

Adopting the product can make producers’ lives easier by proactively keeping piglets healthy by optimising immunoglobulins in colostrum and, ultimately, delivering optimal immunity to piglets. As a result, you can produce healthier piglets and reduce the demand for antibiotics and other costly medical care.