Articles - Nutrition

Maternal microbial imprinting describes the influence of the sow's microbiota on piglets' intestinal colonization, immune development, and future performance.

This first installment describes the most relevant physiological and metabolic functions, nutritional recommendations, and the sources of Zn, Cu, and I currently available in the EU for pig feed.

In response to heat waves, a study by the Brittany Chamber of Agriculture compares two feeding strategies for finishing pigs: scheduling meals during the coolest hours of the day or implementing temporary rationing followed by overfeeding.

Europe's dependence on fertilizers and natural gas highlights the importance of making better use of livestock manure as a source of nutrients and renewable energy.

When addressing respiratory diseases, the intestine should be considered one of the therapeutic targets.

Dew claw overgrowth and weak pasterns are welfare and economic problems directly linked to lameness, reduced reproductive performance, and premature culling.

Animals with less variation in daily intake showed lower mortality, greater daily gain, and fewer medication treatments.

Individual precision feeding (IPF) seeks to provide each animal with the exact amount of nutrients required daily.

Diagnostic tools should be implemented not only reactively during outbreaks, but also proactively, allowing for early detection of infectious agents to anticipate potential problems.

Geopolitical uncertainty, the potential impact of Super El Niño and grain market volatility are keeping forward purchases on hold in a market that still remains within a not overly expensive range.

Medium-chain fatty acids can help promote early growth in post-weaning piglets due to their high energy content, antibacterial properties, and ability to support metabolism in immature animals.

The administration of a hepatoprotective product at peripartum reduced sow mortality by 73%.

The speed at which events have unfolded makes one want to get off this rollercoaster ride of a year, but the world doesn’t stop.

Individual precision feeding facilitates the use of alternative feedstuffs, such as forage, agro-industrial by-products, and others, by allowing them to be provided according to each animal's consumption and growth.

The withdrawal of ZnO in the EU and the UK, and the pressure to reduce the use of antibiotics, has accelerated the shift to implement alternatives to protect postweaning gut health.

In addition to its role in protein synthesis, tryptophan contributes to the production of serotonin, a molecule that influences appetite and immune system regulation, and niacin production.

We visited the CDPQ, Centre de développement du porc du Québec, a commercial farm that operates under a unique collaborative model focused on research.

Intestinal immunity is a complex system composed of physical barriers, immune cells, receptors, and microbiota.

Tryptophan (Trp) is an essential amino acid that pigs must obtain from their diet. It is involved in protein synthesis and serotonin production, which regulates appetite. It also contributes to the formation of niacin (vitamin B3) and has antioxidant effects, promoting intestinal health and microbiota. In addition, it helps maintain mucosal integrity and regulates the immune system.

Precision electronic feeding has become one of the key technologies for improving efficiency and sustainability on farms.

The best DanBred sow farms in Denmark have sow mortality as low as 5%, showing that management, including feeding strategies, is the key.

In terms of feed presentation, we look for ingredients that provide not only nutrients but also functionality, with the aim of increasing gastric retention time to facilitate protein hydrolysis, greater contact between food and enzymes, and reducing fermentation of undigested protein in the intestine.

Fats and oils are among the most energy-dense and expensive components in pig diets, yet their digestion and utilization remain complex and often under-optimized.

The grain and oilseed market has taken an unexpected turn in the last 15 days, with volatility and rising prices taking center stage.