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Ukrainian Grain&Oilseed Market

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More than ˆ11.000 extra profit in swine farm due to drinking feed additive

23.01.2017 13:00 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) — A field trial in Europe showed a significant increase in the economic performance of a pig farm. The study proved the positive impact of adding a feed additive in the drinking water of the fattening pigs. The increased average daily gain and daily feed intake resulted in an improved feed conversion ratio by 0.09 points.

Following the market needs

In an increasingly competitive market, the pressure to improve economic results grows. Such business goals lead to increasing interest in effective solutions to improve animal performance. Framed in this context Trouw Nutrition set up a trial in the Netherlands. The study was aimed to prove the performance improvement and economic benefits of using a feed additive for fattening pigs.

About the field trial

The trial was carried out on a farm with grower-finisher pigs. The animals had a starting weight of about 29 kg and were raised until they reached the slaughter weight. Half of the 1200 animals that were involved in the experiment received a Selko feed additive via the drinking water. During the trial the pigs were monitored on health conditions and animal performance.

Although the animals in the feed additive group had a lower starting weight compared to the control (28.8 Kg vs 29.6 Kg), they reached their slaughter weight 2 days sooner than the other group. The pigs receiving the feed additive also showed a 2,9% higher slaughter weight compared to the control.

The reason for these results can be found in the 2,1% higher average daily feed intake and the 6,4% increase in average daily gain of the pigs taking the drinking additive, with an 0.09 points improved feed conversion ratio.

How performance improvements get translated into economical results

With the main focus on customer needs, an economic analysis was made according to the technical results. The feeding costs and the difference in the price of the pigs were taken into account. The results showed that the value of the animals in the feed additive group at the end of the trial was higher. That is due to the higher end weight of those pigs. Based on the pig market price, the study showed a 2,66% of additional value compared to the control group.

The additional profit per pig place was also calculated, being ˆ9.36 per pig place/ year. As the length of the growing period to reach slaughter weight for the animals fed the drinking feed additive was two days shorter than the control, the amount of cycles could increase, improving the farm production efficiency. The additional benefit of using the Selko product resulted in more than ˆ11.000 extra per year for the farm.

How does the product work?

Selko-pH effectively acidifies drinking water. It reduces the pH in the stomach of pigs more quickly after ingestion of feed, and it improves the microbial balance in the gastrointestinal tract. This leads to optimal weight gain and feed conversion ratio and results in healthy animals with optimal performance.

About Selko

Selko is the feed additives brand of Trouw Nutrition, a Nutreco company. Selko’s portfolio consists of natural feed additive solutions that add value to integrators, feed mills and farmers. Focus areas are Salmonella control, feed safety, gut health in antibiotic-free production systems and trace mineral nutrition solutions. Selko solutions are offered as a complete package consisting of products, know-how and services. The Selko brand encompasses blends of organic acids, organic minerals, betaine and mycotoxin binders. Trouw Nutrition’s global sales organisation commercialises the Selko feed additives brand.

Agro Perspectiva

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