New feed supplement boosts piglet production

Supplied by Suffolk-based G E Baker Ltd (Quality Equipment), it was developed in Austria over a period of years using a particular combination of natural ingredients to influence the flora of the sow’s gut and improve her immune response.

©

“Stress at farrowing can allow harmful bacteria such as E. coli to multiply, but Continental trials have shown feeding Digeston-K favourably alters the ratio of ‘good’ to ‘bad’ bacteria.©This means the sow is less susceptible to such problems as MMA and can produce better quality colostrum resulting in healthier, more disease-resistant piglets,” said Graham Baker, G E Baker director.

©

Key ingredients are soya meal and dried horseradish roots. The soya undergoes controlled lactic acid fermentation by several selected strains of natural lactobacilli, forming a highly-diversified micro-flora in the finished product.©This helps the animal to meet different disease challenges.©The particular fermentation process dramatically increases the quantity of water-soluble amino acids and results in the production of metabolites, many of which are known to enhance mucosal immunity.©Short-chain peptides, which have an immune-enhancing function, are also produced.

©

The dried horseradish root also supports the immune system.©In addition it stimulates enzyme activity.©This enhances digestion and feed conversion efficiency as well as improving fertility, particularly oestrus in sows resulting in larger and more even litters.

©

Digeston-K is added to the sow’s feed at the rate of 2kg per tonne, during gestation and lactation at a cost of £6.95 per tonne treated.©It is both heat and pH stable making it suitable for incorporation in compound feed and for use by home mixers.

©

©