There is growing concern that the level of subclinical infections in pigs is increasing with subsequent detrimental effects on the immune status of the animal. Exposure to infections (both sub- and clinical) can have a major impact on the production efficiency of a pig enterprise.
Immune status
Health and immune status go hand-in-hand in the prevention of disease. The foundation to a healthy sow, young pig or finishing pig is a solid functioning immune system. The complexities of the immune system impact two simple outcomes – improved pig health and performance. PMWS (Post-weaning Multi-Systemic Wasting Syndrome) is a disease brought upon by a damaged immune system and can have a severe economic impact for the producer. Producers can only treat the secondary infections from PMWS, and adversely affected pigs frequently die in spite of treatments. Protecting and supporting the immune system, start to finish with natural, progressive technologies, such as yeast-derived sugars, is a positive step towards reducing the risk of PMWS and other porcine diseases.
Feeding for health
Evidence suggests that common digestive disorders result from an imbalance or disturbance of the gut ecosystem. Commonly, undigested feed ingredients pass through the gut and into the hindgut where they act as a substrate for disease organisms such as E. coli. If nutrient digestibility in the upper tract can be enhanced and the gut ecosystem stabilised, for example through the use of enzymes, the growth and effect of disease-causing organisms can be reduced.
Correct mineral nutrition
At the heart of successful pork production is the sow. The effective translation of fertility and weaned piglets to case-ready meat depends on the sow. In Europe, producers aim for each sow to create more than 1 tonne of pork meat in a year, by producing an average of 22 pigs per year. Trace mineral nutrition is vital to sow fecundity, health and longevity. Starting with the boar and semen quality, selenium, zinc, copper and iron contribute. Good semen in turn leads to higher rates of fertilisation and subsequent productivity in the sow. Critical to her own reproductive processes are factors such as progesterone and uterine capacity, which rely on minerals such as manganese, iron and selenium.
Sow health requires many of these same elements for immunity, blood and enzyme functions. Given the demands of today’s large litters, sow nutrition is critical and can enhance a sow’s productive life. Unlike inorganic minerals, organic minerals such as iron are transferred across the placenta to the developing foetus and after birth transferred through the milk. Therefore, mineral balance and nutrition is vital for the sow and for the piglet.