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www.porknews.com.au Australian Pork Newspaper, March 2025 %u2013 Page 9UNLIKE energy and nutrients, there are no firm recommendations of fibre inclusion in nursery diets. Here%u2019s a look at the role fibre can play in ameliorating post-weaning diarrhoea authored by researchers at the Kansas State University.Diets rich in dietary fibre generally have lower nutritive value for nursery pigs because digestive enzymes are not suited for degrading fibre. However, dietary fibre components seem to have beneficial effects on gut health and development, particularly to help reduce post-weaning gut disorders.Fibre is classified as soluble or insoluble based on fibre solubility in water. The fibre characteristics relevant to swine nutrition include fermentability, viscosity and hydration. Natural fibrous feed ingredients are usually composed of both soluble and insoluble fibre.In general, in the immediate post-weaning period, the use of ingredients with concentrations mainly of insoluble fibre %u2013 wheat middlings, wheat bran or oat hulls %u2013 are preferred over ingredients with main concentrations of soluble fibre, such as sugar beet pulp, but in later nursery the use of soluble fibre in diets might be beneficial to promote gut health and development.Insoluble fibreThe use of insoluble fibre %u2013 resistant to fermentation %u2013 is recommended in post-weaning diets as it increases the passage rate, prevents harmful bacterial growth and improves intestinal morphology and microbial balance in the intestine. Multiple research studies have concluded that use of insoluble fibre in piglets challenged with e coli decreased the cases of diarrhoea due to the reduced ability of e coli adhesion to the small intestine.Insoluble fibres are relatively resistant to fermentation in the hindgut and do not contribute much to production of volatile fatty acids. The presence of insoluble fibres increases faecal bulkiness and accelerates digesta passage rate, which prevents proliferation and colonisation of pathogens. Insoluble fibres include cellulose and hemicellulose. Feed ingredients such as wheat middlings, wheat bran, rice hulls, oat hulls and distillers dried grains with solubles have predominantly insoluble fibre concentrations.Soluble fibreSoluble fibres are more rapidly fermented in the hindgut and produce more volatile fatty acids, such as acetate, propionate and butyrate, which are used as sources of energy to promote gut development. Soluble fibres also promote a prebiotic effect by enhancing beneficial bacteria fermentation and production of volatile fatty acids while reducing gut pH to eliminate pathogens.The presence of soluble fibres increases digesta viscosity, which delays digesta passage rate, interferes with nutrient digestion and predisposes proliferation and colonisation of pathogens. However, soluble fibres have better solubility, swelling capacity, water holding capacity and water-binding capacity that are important for digestion. Soluble fibres include pectins, gums and %u03b2-glucans. Feed ingredients such as sugar beet pulp and citrus pulp have predominantly soluble fibre.Ongoing research is being conducted to determine the ideal insoluble:soluble ratio at different time points post-weaning. Application of how both commonly available fibre-rich ingredients and specialty manufactured fibre ingredients can be practically and economically used to increase faecal dryness without reducing nursery pig performance is on-going. Contact ccdsales@ccdanimalhealth.com.au or1300 791 009 for further informationwww.tonisity.comImprove gut healthReduce mortalityIncrease weaning weight You%u2019re in safe hands with Tonisity.Fibre%u2019s role in post-weaning dietsDiets rich in dietary fibre generally have lower nutritive value for nursery pigs because digestive enzymes are not suited for degrading fibre. Photo: the US National Pork Board and Pork CheckoffAUSTRALIAN Pork Limited is excited to announce Dr Darryl D%u2019Souza%u2019s appointment as the new chair of the Pork Processors Referral Group. Darryl is the executive general manager, technical services with the SunPork Group. The Pork Processors Referral Group provides advice and recommendations on issues and strategies related to the Australian pork industry%u2019s processing sector. The PPRG comprises key representatives from all seven export abattoirs and APL staff. Other stakeholders, such as government representatives or industry experts, are invited to discuss subject-specific matters.The PPRG acts as a communication channel between APL and the pork processing industry. It advises APL on research and development priorities, particularly in areas directly impacting pork processing, auch as animal welfare, biosecurity, food safety and traceability. The PPRG also contributes to the development of industry policies and positions on matters affecting processors.We thank Aaron Murphy from JBS pork division for his contributions to the PPRG as a former chair and wish him well. Australian Pork LimitedNew PPRG chairIncoming Pork Processors Referral Group chair Darryl D%u2019Souza.