ABOVE: A second iron injection at weaning improved haemoglobin levels, reduced pig removals and supported growth during the critical weeks after weaning.
WEANING remains one of the most challenging stages of pig production, with iron deficiency and post-weaning diarrhoea commonly affecting piglet health and performance.
A recent Australian Pork Limited project (2022-0003) investigated practical strategies to improve piglet robustness and herd feed conversion efficiency.
The research found that a second iron injection at weaning improved haemoglobin levels, reduced pig removals and supported growth during the critical weeks after weaning. Benefits were greatest in larger faster-growing pigs most at risk of iron deficiency.
The project also demonstrated that low crude protein diets, fed during the first week after weaning and balanced with the appropriate amino acids, significantly reduced PWD without compromising growth performance. These diets also reduced the number of pigs requiring removal from production.
Importantly, when combined, these strategies reduced post-weaning losses and delivered an estimated improvement in herd feed conversion efficiency. The findings provide producers with practical tools to improve piglet health, welfare and productivity, particularly in younger pigs and higher-challenge production systems.
The final report is available on the APL website.
Australian Pork Limited
