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European Union bans zinc oxide
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THE time is now upon us for the European Union ban on medicinal use of zinc oxide in pig production.
feeding can help with avoiding ‘non-eaters’ – piglets that will not inves- tigate a trough or feeder at first – this way they can develop taste
as plasma, milk and fish protein is important for small and young piglets that are less than 5-6kg and 21-23 days.
Nordic
News
by ASHLEY NORVAL
Meaning we need to have a new strategy for weaning piglets with min- imal antibiotic consump- tion while maintaining animal welfare, minimum environmental impact and high productivity.
• Acids should be in- cluded in the water or feed • Water quality – ensure pressure is correct and check system regularly for
Though these ingredi- ents are expensive, they are seen as the most ef- ficient.
Last week, I attended the Zero Zinc summit – the second of its kind to be significantly delayed due to COVID-19.
The challenges have been increased costs in labour and feed, reduced productivity levels and is- sues with the availability and quality of labour, with management routines, dis- ease diagnosis, and con- trol and weaning age or pig flow as barriers to the solution.
nella, and rotavirus.
in pens that have been washed, disinfected and are at the correct tem- perature.
Increasing the weaning age from 23 to 27 days can have a hugely positive im- pact on weaner perform- ance, though the target for piglets should be 6kg at weaning – minimum 5kg – with smaller piglets at a much higher risk of com- promised health.
Though many feed ad- ditives and other such products were presented, it is clear that there is no ‘silver bullet’ to sub- stitute zinc oxide com- pletely.
Weaning starts in the farrowing crates and it is critical that the piglets are taught how to eat solid food themselves as early as possible for gut matu- ration.
It is recommended to sort the pigs at weaning and again one to three weeks after weaning. Dietary ingredients
In order to accommo- date the change to the pig flow, a progestin – such as Altrenogest – can be used for gilts.
However, there are ways to manage this issue suc- cessfully, and with more experience throughout Europe and beyond, this will hopefully only im- prove.
The five key solution areas to focus on are as follows:
Teamwork
Easy access to food and water is essential and the strategy in the farrowing house needs to include the following:
Though the diet compo- sition should reflect both the weight and age of the piglet, weight is the only accurate reference – as the exact age in days of the piglet is often not known.
And adjust subsequent farrowings and weaned pigs per week, noting that it may be necessary to re- duce the number of sows until the flow has been ad- justed to the new strategy.
Over two articles, I will summarise practical man- agement that can be ap- plied at farm level – which has proven successful in Denmark and the wider EU – separated into the perspectives of a veteri- narian for this month and a production advisor in next month’s issue.
Producers must set up their own team, which should include veteri- narian support, a feed company and other con- sultants.
• Provide fresh solid and liquid feed for piglets, be- ginning at day four to six and increase to five to six times per day before weaning
First, crude protein should be reduced to 17- 17.5 percent.
Dr Claus Heisel and Jes Callesen presented a production concept for weaner pigs 6-30kg, which was developed in Denmark between veteri- nary company LVK and processor Danish Crown.
• Incorporating
All must be onboard with the management plan and work together with all farm staff to achieve this.
Once the ‘safe’ start-up levels have been applied, the protein can then be raised.
For more details on any of the information in this article, feel free to con- tact me at asno@danbred. com
Initially, a critical re- view needs to be con- ducted into the weaning strategy of the piglets and a plan developed between all parties to keep the focus and make system- aticchanges.
The use of highly digest- ible protein sources such
• Add electrolytes to the water, also in creeps or troughs – while it doesn’t have to be of high concen- tration, the sweetness at- tracts the piglets and it is more hygienic to maintain than milk products
the
biofilm.
Pigs should be weaned
Weaning age and pig flow
Management routines
Weight gain may be compromised but with correct management, the pigs can make up for this later.
Extending out weaning age takes con- siderable management but when applied has a very positive effect.
floor
A new strategy is needed for weaning piglets with minimal antibiotic consump- tion while maintaining animal welfare, minimum environmental impact and high productivity. Photo: Stefanie Poepken
They stressed the influ- ence of correct manage- ment on this issue, that in their opinion is critical regardless of diet compo- sition.
An accurate program for disease prevention and quick control needs to be implemented.
While the importance of diet composition is indis- putable, the cost of feed is only increasing around the world and, in compar- ison, management is not.
It has been noted that there will be more clinical signs in the first week fol- lowing weaning, rather than the two to three weeks when using me- dicinal zinc oxide.
Diagnostics and disease control
Dr Heisel stated that in his experience, since weaning without zinc oxide, there is more vari- ation between batches, more breakdowns with diarrhoea – both feed and e coli related – and high- lighted the absolute need to revisit management strategies and develop strict standard operating procedures.
Therefore, quick and ac- curate diagnosis can help to alleviate the problem.
Vaccination and control strategies should be im- plemented where possible and relevant, most com- monly in Denmark being against e coli, ETEC F4/ F18, shinga toxin-pro- ducing e coli edema dis- ease, procine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, influenza, porcine circo- virus 2, lawsonia, salmo-
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