Use of NutriVantage® Technology in Reproductive Swine

In previous research with NutriVantage® (swine, poultry, beef and dairy cattle) Technology, we have observed both significant performance and economic responses with these technologies for animals and birds raised under a variety of conditions at the Kent Nutrition Group Product Development Center. These exclusive proprietary technologies, which involve synergistic blends of natural ingredients including natural chelating agents, may help promote a healthier gut environment along with providing immune system support. In addition, NutriVantage Technology may aid in nutrient availability and maintain performance in times of stress. Moreover, these natural proprietary compounds may have anti-inflammatory properties which can be beneficial to both animals and birds.

Sows on test in the Gestation Barn.

Sows on test in the Farrowing Room.

There are many sow units that have very large numbers of pigs born per sow, but often many of these pigs have low viability, which can result in greater pre-wean mortality. In addition, there are many health challenges that occur in these units, which can lower pre-wean survivability. To date, we have not evaluated the effect of NutriVantage Technology in reproduction so that was the primarily objective of this trial with swine. This trial was conducted in a Commercial 3,100 Sow Unit which had a high health status throughout the testing period. The gilts and sows were fed a top dress product daily (Placebo or with NutriVantage Technology) starting in gestation (1 week after weaning) and throughout lactation. The first gilts and sows started on trial in late June 2008 and were placed in farrowing rooms during October through December 2008. Pigs were cross fostered within treatments during the first 24 hours after birth. This trial was very extensive with 953 gilts and sows placed on test. The genetics used at this sow unit were F1 females mated via Artificial Insemination with semen from a commercial terminal boar line. There were two services per female. A very thorough vaccination and herd health program is standard protocol for this sow unit. The gestation and lactation data are shown in Table 1. We observed no differences for total born, born alive, mummies and stillborns between the treatments. However, we did find a numerical increase (90.79 vs. 90.00) in Percent Survival when sows were top dressed with NutriVantage technology compared to those that were not. This in turn resulted in more pigs (10.80 vs. 10.69) weaned per litter with the supplemental NutriVantage as opposed to those animals not receiving it. There were no differences in Days to Estrus nor in Feed Disappearance between the two treatments in this study.  

Shown in Table 2 are the lactation data in which litters of pigs were weighed within about 48 hours of birth and then weighed again at weaning time, which was around 20 days of age. There were more pigs started with a lower birth weight for those sows fed the supplemental NutriVantage with this resulting in 0.16 more pigs weaned compared to not using the NutriVantage. In addition, the weight gains of pigs were similar between these two treatments. Summary The summary on economics is shown in Table 3. Basically, we found that pre-wean mortality was improved when NutriVantage was included in the study, even though this sow unit had pigs with high health status. With more pigs weaned per litter from the use of NutriVantage Technology, there would be extra revenue ($10.45/sow). Subtracting out the cost of this technology (about $4.00/sow) would leave a net revenue of about $6.50/sow/year from supplemental NutriVantage. Keep in mind that most sow units do not have 90 percent survival, and that the sows in this trial were lactating in October through December so there was no heat stress imposed during this time. Another health situation in sow units involves joint and leg issues. Since the chelating agents in NutriVantage Technology have been shown to decrease inflammation and arthritic conditions, via a patent, the use of this technology could be helpful in sow units. The bottom line is that the use of NutriVantage Technology, in a very high health status sow unit, was positive. Thus, besides the performance and economic benefits we have observed in pigs, calves, beef, and poultry, we can now add reproduction in swine to this list as we continue to develop and explore new areas of research with these natural and proprietary compounds.   Sows typically had 12 pigs on test after cross fostering, within treatment, the first 24 hours after birth.

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