Page 14 - APN June 2017

Pig Farm Perspective
by Bruce the brainy pig
PIG producers in Eu- rope are on edge at the moment – they’re fac- ing a huge decision on whether or not the use of zinc oxide in pigs should be banned.
When I mention this to most people, the gen- eral response is: “What the heck is zinc oxide and why do we have to care about it?”
Well, zinc is an es- sential trace element for growing pigs, and de- ficiencies can result in reduced feed intake and growth, poor wound healing and impaired immune function.
During the 1980s it was found that rates of 1500 to 3000 parts per million of zinc oxide in feed resulted in de- creased diarrhoea and increased growth in weaner pigs.
At higher doses, zinc oxide has also been found to stabilise the in- testinal bacterial flora, preventing attachment of disease-causing bac- teria (such as E. coli) to
the gut wall.
In fact, a combined re-
view of 10 independent studies found the addi- tion of 2400ppm of zinc oxide to weaner feed re- duced the relative risk of post-weaning scours by 65 percent.
Everyone said “Great!” and zinc oxide became a commonly seen additive in pig di- ets.
It was particularly promoted in the Euro- pean Union as a means to reduce in-feed antibi- otics in the period im- mediately after wean- ing.
In the past few dec- ades, it has become a staple component of weaner diets.
However, zinc is poor- ly absorbed from the gut, and is released in high concentrations in manure.
This increases the risk of environmental pollution of zinc oxide and has caused concern within the population about the risk of zinc oxide when effluent is
spread on crops and pastures.
This in turn has raised concerns around the po- tential run-off of zinc into water sources.
As such, over the com- ing weeks the European Union is meeting to decide on whether zinc oxide will be banned from use in pigs.
What does this mean for us in Australia?
Well, the likelihood is thatifabanisputin place around the use of zinc oxide within the EU, Australia may fol- low suit, banning the use of zinc oxide in coming years.
Fortunately, a number of studies have been un- dertaken regarding the use of microencapsu- lated zinc oxide, which has decreased the addi- tion rate of zinc oxide by up to 25 times.
Will this reduction in application rate be enough to save zinc ox- ide from the chopping block both in the EU and Australia?
Watch this space...
Recipe
Pesto-crusted roasted pork rack
INGREDIENTS
• 5 or 6 cutlet pork loin rack roast, rind removed
• 1 cup basil pesto
• 1 cup parmesan cheese,
grated
• 1 cup fresh bread crumbs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Crispy roasted potatoes
to serve
• Rocket salad
• Basil leaves to garnish
METHOD
1. Trimporkrackandcleanbones.Wrap bones in foil to protect.
2. Combinepesto,parmesan,breadcrumbs and olive oil in a large bowl and mix well.
3. Pressmixtureintoathickcrustonthe entire surface of the roast.
4. Weightheroastandallow25minutes per 500g. Roast the pork in a preheated oven at 190C for the required cooking time. 5. Allowroasttostandatleast10minutes prior to carving and serving with crispy roast potatoes and rocket salad. Drizzle plate with a little balsamic glaze or basil oil prior to serving.
Prep time 15 min | Cook time 1 hour | Serves 4
For more delicious pork recipes, visit pork.com.au
www.primegro.com.au
Results are based on typical progeny growth performance achieved using Primegro Genetics grown under a high health environment and fed using the Rivalea Nutritional Program.
Page 14 – Australian Pork Newspaper, June 2017 www.porknews.com.au