Tonisity Px - A Sustainable Path to Environmental and Economic Success

In the dynamic landscape of agriculture, finding innovative solutions that not only improve productivity but also contribute to environmental sustainability is paramount. One such ground-breaking product making waves in the pig farming industry is Tonisity Px, the first isotonic drink for piglets, which supplies rapid energy for the enterocytes (the intestinal cells responsible for absorption of nutrients) and promotes a healthy microbiome. This disruptive solution is not just about enhancing piglet survival rates and improving overall farm performance, leading to a clear economic impact (studies indicate an expected return on investment of about 5:1); it is a game-changer with far-reaching positive impacts on the environment.

Reducing Piglet Pre-weaning Mortality

Each piglet lost before weaning represents wasted feed, water and energy expended on its rearing. Additionally, the disposal of carcasses further adds to the environmental impact. For instance, Jacobsen et al. (2014) reported that an increase in piglets per sow per year from 27.6 to 30 is leading to a decrease in carbon footprint of 0.14 kg CO₂ eq./kg of deboned meat. The core strength of Tonisity Px lies in its remarkable ability to significantly reduce piglet pre-weaning mortality (PWM). Tonisity’s latest meta-analysis on 91 trials and 184,954 pigs shows an average 22% reduction in PWM. If we consider for instance an average PWM of 13.8% in Europe as reported by INTERPIG (2023), this means that using Tonisity Px can help save 1.07 piglet per sow and per year, which represents 3% extra pigs weaned. In other words, the same amount of pigs could be weaned with 3% less sows. By addressing this critical aspect of pig farming, our solution not only ensures the welfare of the animals but also minimises resource wastage associated with early piglet losses. The result is a more sustainable and ethical approach to pig farming, aligning with the growing demand for responsible and environmentally conscious agricultural practices.

Increased Weaning Weight and Fewer Fall-Behinds

Tonisity Px doesn't stop at improving survival rates; it goes further by enhancing the growth potential of piglets. The increased weaning weight is a testament to the product's effectiveness in providing optimal nutrition and support during the crucial early stages of life. Moreover, the reduction in the number of fall-behinds signifies improved overall health and vitality, leading to a more robust and resilient swine population.

Better Growth Performance and Reduced Fattening Period

As piglets transition into the fattening stage, the benefits of Tonisity Px continue to shine. The solution that was given before weaning promotes better growth performance, allowing pigs to reach slaughter weight in fewer days. This not only translates to increased efficiency in farm operations but also reduces the environmental footprint associated with prolonged fattening periods. The positive impact on growth rates aligns with the industry's goal of sustainable and resource-efficient livestock production.

Reduction in Feed Conversion Ratio

Various publications discussed the fact that feed production is one of the factors with the highest pollution potential in the pig production life cycle (McAuliffe et. Al, 2016). Therefore, an improvement in feed conversion (FCR), a key indicator of the efficiency in converting feed into valuable pork products, is good for the environment. Tonisity Px is not just about faster growth; it is also about smarter resource utilisation. A study conducted by Dr. Tomasz Schwarz from the University of Agriculture in Krakow, Poland, has shown a 1.8% reduction in FCR during the fattening period (2.74 vs. 2.79, P = 0.0187) for pigs that received Tonisity Px in the farrowing house.

This means a 15 kg reduction in the volume of feed required per pig during the fattening period, or about 420 tonnes of fattening feed per year for a 1,000 sow farm. According to Dourmad et al. (2014), the environmental impacts of producing 1 kg of fattening feed for climate change, acidification, eutrophication, energy use and land occupation are 0.5 kg CO₂-eq, 4.3 g SO₂-eq, 4.3 g PO₄-eq, 4.7 MJ and 1.5 m^₂, respectively. With improved FCR, pig farmers can achieve more with less, optimising resource use and contributing to the economic sustainability of their operations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Tonisity Px represents a significant leap forward in pig farming practices. Its multifaceted benefits encompass not only the fundamental improvement of piglet survival rates but also extend to increased weaning weights, fewer fall-behinds, better growth performance and a reduced feed conversion ratio. As the agricultural industry strives for sustainable and responsible practices, Tonisity Px emerges as a beacon of progress, demonstrating that enhanced productivity can go hand in hand with environmental stewardship. Pig farming with Tonisity Px is not just a step forward; it's a giant leap toward a more sustainable and prosperous future for both farmers and the planet.

References:

Dourmad, J. Y., Ryschawy, J., Trousson, T., Bonneau, M., Gonzàlez, J., Houwers H. W. J., Hviid M. , Zimmer, C., Nguyen, T. L. T. and Morgensen, L. 2014. Evaluating environmental impacts of contrasting pig farming systems with life cycle assessment. Animal, 2014, 8 (12): 2027-2037.

InterPIG Consortium. Interpig pig performance report 2023.

Jacobsen, R., Vandermeulen, V., Van Huylenbroeck, G. and Gellynck, X. 2014. Carbon footprint of pigmeat in Flanders. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 12:1, 54-70.

McAuliffe G. A., Chapman, D. V., and Sage, C. L. 2016. A thematic review of life cycle assessment (LCA) applied to pig production. Environmental Impact Assessment Review 56 (2016): 12–22.