Driving piglet performance through improved maternal nutrition is a cost-effective way to maximise lifetime performance and health of growing piglets, as piglets lost prior to weaning represent an economic loss as well as a welfare target. This work is part of the Anpario’s 4R approach – review, reduce and replace antimicrobials responsibly – which helps manage gut health and support healthier livestock through the use of natural products. This trial showed that Orego-Stim is able to support sow lactation performance leading to improved piglets weaned per sow and a return on investment of 8:1.
Background
Orego-Stim is a high quality, eubiotic containing 100 percent natural oregano oil. Previous findings have shown that dietary supplementation of oregano essential oil in sows can decrease oxidative stress and improve piglet growth performance. In this study, Orego-Stim was fed to sows throughout gestation and lactation, and their performance and that of their progeny was compared with a negative control group fed no additives.
Trial design
Anpario conducted a randomised, blinded non-crossover trial with a commercial herd in the midwestern US, managed by Carthage Innovative Swine Solutions. The trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy of Orego-Stim supplemented feed in improving sow and piglet performance. A total of 200 sows were balanced for parity between the two treatment groups at service and fed either the basal gestation and lactation ration or Orego-Stim supplemented at 500g per tonne until weaning. At farrowing the total number of piglets born, numbers born alive and piglet birth weight were recorded for each sow. Sow feed intake, body condition score and health status were monitored for all sows throughout the trial. Weaning was carried out at 19 days of age, at which time the number of piglets weaned per litter and litter weaning weight was recorded for both groups.
Results
The average number of piglets born alive was conserved across both groups – 14.61 versus 14.36 for control and Orego-Stim respectively. At weaning, the average piglet weight was similar, but litter weight was numerically heavier for Orego-Stim due to an increased number of piglets weaned. Removals were significantly reduced with Orego-Stim supplementation, with an increased number of weaned piglets by 11 percent and a 2 percent reduction in pre-weaning mortality compared to the control. These differences provide a significant benefit to piglets weaned per sow, providing a margin over feed value of $A90.70 per sow per year.
Conclusion
Eubiotics such as Orego-Stim provide a natural tool for the improvement of sow and progeny health and performance. Improving weaning performance and health which can have significant effects on lifetime performance and medication use. For more information, visit anpario.com
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