New frontiers in pig feed efficiency
Throughout her career in product development, improving feed efficiency or ADG had always been a clear measure of success. These metrics, which once defined innovation, paved the way for the widespread adoption of feed enzymes in swine diets. However, the landscape of animal nutrition is evolving, writes nutrition technology expert Dr Casey Bradley. So what is new?
Today’s feed technologies must go beyond traditional performance values, addressing broader goals such as sustainability, gut health and even animal welfare. These new priorities are not just optional enhancements, they are becoming essential benchmarks for progress in modern livestock production.
Botanical compounds mimicking feed additives
Combining various botanical compounds offers a promising alternative to traditional feed additives. A notable example is Natural Remedy’s Kolin Plus, a blend of catechins, curcuminoids and polyphenols designed to replace choline chloride at lower inclusion rates. Its primary advantage lies in optimising lipid metabolism, which enhances feed efficiency. Additionally, it mitigates the negative interactions that choline chloride in premixes can have on other vitamins. Such innovations highlight the growing potential for botanicals to serve as multifunctional nutritional tools.
Extracted polyphenols as vitamin E equivalents
Extracted polyphenols from botanicals are emerging as effective substitutes for vitamin E, particularly during periods of shortages and inflated prices. Several products have entered the market to address this challenge. A 2023 trial at Kansas State University evaluated R2 Agro’s Cabanin CSD, demonstrating that just 0.1 mg of this polyphenol mixture can provide an equivalency of 0.5 IU of vitamin E. The study also observed a linear improvement in feed efficiency in nursery pigs with increased vitamin E equivalency. These findings emphasise the potential for polyphenols to not only fill a critical gap but also provide novel avenues for improving animal performance.
Enhanced probiotic blends for feed efficiency and pathogen control
Advances in probiotic technology continue to transform livestock nutrition. While classics like Bioplus 2B have proven their effectiveness over decades, newer, customisable solutions are paving the way for precision nutrition. Programmes such as Arm & Hammer’s Certillus offer tailored diagnostic tools and probiotic blends optimised for specific herd needs. Beyond traditional pathogen control, the potential for probiotics to adapt to changing feedstocks is particularly exciting. For instance, specialised Bacillus strains could enhance protease activity to maximise nutrient utilisation in high-protein diets, or increase amylase activity for starch-heavy formulations. These innovations open doors to a new era of feed additive solutions tailored to individual production systems.
Challenges and uncertainties
While these opportunities highlight promising advancements, it is critical to consider potential challenges and uncertainties before adoption.
While these innovations present exciting possibilities, producers must remain vigilant, prioritising stability, scalability and economic viability to make informed decisions that align with their goals.
