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www.porknews.com.au Australian Pork Newspaper, March 2025 %u2013 Page 21of live born piglets per litter (10.49 versus 9.95) and decreased stillbirth rate (0.91 versus 0.81). However, another study noted that 70 second-parity sows fed oregano essential oil blend during gestation and farrowing did not increase piglet growth or immune responses.Nursery pigsMost research on essential oils in pigs has been directed toward nursery pigs due to the dietary changes and other stressors they encounter at this crucial time of their development, which often negatively impact health and performance. Numerous studies show that feeding essential oils during this period changes the gut environment, favouring a healthier bacterial population. In some cases, this proliferation of healthier bacteria appears to override the harmful bacterial pathogens that cause diarrhoea, decreased feed intake and reduced performance within the first few weeks of weaning. In one specific case, essential oils were encapsulated %u2013 thymol and cinnamaldehyde tested in these studies %u2013 to improve performance, immunity and beneficial gut microflora in 240 piglets that were 36-days old at the start of the study over 35 days.Results showed reduced e coli counts in faeces, increased lymphocyte transformation and reduced occurrence of diarrhoea. A study done by a South Korean University reported that dietary supplementation of blended essential oils fed six weeks to 90 weaned nursery pigs resulted in an improvement in postweaning final average daily gain (487g versus 476g, P < 0.1) without any apparent adverse effects on health or other performance indicators. However, a 2006 study showed that in-feed antimicrobials increased growth performance more effectively than a diet with essential oils in a piglet study conducted 28 days after weaning at day 21. In that study, 210 piglets were fed either an oregano essential oil diet or a neomycin and oxytetracycline-supplemented diet. The antimicrobial diet slightly improved body weight (17kg versus 15.4kg, P = 0.09) compared to the essential oil diet. Studies noted that ADG, ADFI, G:F and 28-day weights of pigs fed oregano essential oil diet (25, 50 or 100g per ton) were similar to those of pigs fed the control diet (P > 0.05), and there was no effect on growth parameters of increasing dose of essential oil (P > 0.05).Grow-finishAdding essential oils to grow-finish pig diets has impacted growth performance and carcass merit, potentially decreasing the stress response during management practices. According to a review of European essential oils, feed intake increased from 9 percent to 12 percent with dietary supplementation. Furthermore, some studies have reported the same impact on feed intake, ranging from 3 percent to 19 percent in their review of essential oil use in Europe. While most research has found that adding essential oils to grow finisher diets increases feed intake, another study in 2010 failed to observe any improvement in performance generated by essential oil blends in finisher pigs in the US. It has also been noted that essential oil diets increased the longissimus muscle area for 96 growfinish pigs, starting at around 24kg to market, increasing the hogs%u2019 muscle mass. One study concluded that carcass and meat quality attributes were unchanged when comparing oregano essential oil diets to conventional diets in 64 finisher pigs. Concerns were noted that the concentration of the essential oils within the diet could alter the flavour of the final pork product, which is now being studied. It was also noted in the same study that sensory panellists could not detect flavour or aroma differences between the conventional-fed and essential oil diets. Certain essential oils have been researched and have shown promising results in decreasing stressful situations, such as moving and transporting pigs.CostResearchers have noted that the cost-effectiveness of essential oils is generally not achieved in pigs when products are used at concentrations high enough to affect health or performance. As interest in alternatives for in-feed antibiotics in pig production grows and more research is conducted, it is reasonable to speculate that economies of scale in production and formulation of the essential oils will be achievable, leading to broader use of crucial oils in pork production.Essential oils may become practical alternatives to feed-grade antibiotics. They are being studied for their health and performance benefits for swine in all production phases. However, none of the essential oils tested in pigs have provided consistent positive benefits in disease prevention or performance compared to antibiotics. Knowledge about how these molecules lead to improved gut health and growth parameters in pigs is emerging from global research, particularly in Europe and Asia. However, the expanded use of essential oils in pork production will likely depend on additional research focused on the cost of production, formulation and effective dosing and presentation of essential oils. | 08 8531 2700 | sales@jacksonsaustralia.com | jacksonsaustralia.com.au%u2022 Animal Shelters%u2022 Feeders%u2022 Silos%u2022 Farm BuildingsMaximise feral pig trapping in warm weather. Photo: Local Land ServicesTAKE advantage of hot and dry conditions to maximise your feral pig trapping.Feral pigs lack sweat glands, making them susceptible to heat stress and reliant on water and shade to regulate their body temperature. To keep cool they will spend more time around watering points, wallowing in mud and resting in shaded areas. You can use these behavioural patterns to your advantage by selecting trap sites close to water sources and in shaded areas, especially while food sources are reduced. Over the warmer months as conditions become hotter and drier, food resources for feral pigs within the landscape also become limited. This benefits your trapping efforts as feral pigs will more readily take up the free feed in traps as an available source of protein. Targeting feral pigs during the hotter months, while they are vulnerable, is an effective strategy to reduce numbers before seasonal conditions change and encourage population growth. Remember to always keep animal welfare in mind, by only setting traps when you can check them early the next day and humanely destroying trapped pigs before temperatures rise.Every landholder has a general biosecurity duty to take action on their property to prevent, eliminate or minimise pest animals. Local Land Services NSWHot tips for trapping feral pigsNUTRIEN Ag Solu- tions has announced a significant leadership transition for its Aus- tralian operations as Kelly Freeman steps into a new global role within the company.After more than two successful years as managing director of Nutrien Ag Solutions Australia, Kelly has been appointed as executive advisor to Nutrien%u2019s operations in Latin America.Effective immediately, Adrian Capogreco has been appointed as the new managing director for Nutrien Ag Solutions Australia.Adrian is a highly respected leader within Nutrien, having most recently served as senior director of finance for the Australian business. With an impressive career spanning finance and leadership roles at Nufarm, KPMG and JP Morgan Chase, Adrian brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role.Commenting on his appointment, Adrian said, %u201cI am honoured to take on the role of managing director and continue the work of supporting Australian agriculture.%u201d%u201cI look forward to building on the strong foundations established under Kelly%u2019s leadership.%u201dReflecting on his time with Nutrien Ag Solutions in Australia, Kelly said, %u201cTo say that I have immensely enjoyed working closely with our valued customers, suppliers, teams and partners in Australia is an understatement.%u201d%u201cIt has been an outstanding professional and personal experience, and I am confident that the Australian business will continue to thrive under Adrian Capogreco%u2019s leadership and our exceptional team across the country.%u201dJoining Nutrien Ag Solutions in 2022 from Nutrien%u2019s Canadian retail operations, Kelly led the Australian business to significant growth through his collaborative leadership style, strategic vision and commitment to driving results.Adrian joined Nutrien in 2021 and holds a Bachelor of Business (Accountancy), Commerce from RMIT University and an Executive MBA from Melbourne Business School. Nutrien Ag leadership transitionEssential oils alternative in pork productionEssential oils may become practical alternatives to feed-grade antibiotics. Photo: Kaboompics.com* from P20Scan for the full article.