Silvafeed Nutri P: the natural solution to increase piglets weight gain

 

A new trial using Silvafeed Nutri P was carried out in Hungary by Agrofeed Ltd., one of the largest Eastern European premix producer, in co-operation with Vivafarm Ltd. in February 2016.

 

A total of 200 piglets (Duroc, Landrace, Large White) were used in ten groups. The group size in flat deck pens was made of 20 animals. Five pens were randomly chosen as the negative control and the remaining were used as the trial group. This resulted in a trial design of two treatments with five replicate pens containing 20 piglets each. The trial period lasted 32 days, which included the after-weaning period that would begin on day 14 after actual weaning.  A common piglet starter feed was used as reference. The experimental diet was based on the same feed formulation as the control diet and supplemented with Silvafeed Nutri P, at a recommended dosage of 1500 g/ton. Piglets were weighed individually at the beginning and on day 32. Average Daily Gain (ADG) was calculated accordingly. Feed Intake (FI) was reported on pen base for above mentioned phase. Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) was evaluated on a pen phase basis. Health status, diseases, as well as mortality were recorded daily. Individual animals were chosen for body weight unit statistics as well as weight gain data. The data was evaluated and afterwards statistically assessed using t-test method procedures.

 

The addition of Silvafeed Nutri P as a natural additive in the diet showed an increase of 1.38 kg in live piglet weight. The final weight increase was related to the highly significant 95% probability (p = 0.05) of 34 grams ADG improvement. The Average Daily Feed Intake (ADFI) was improved by 54 g/day, corresponding to 5.3% difference compared to animals fed a standard diet with 83% probability.

 

 

 Fig.1: The addition of Silvafeed Nutri P at a dosage of 1500/ton showed an increase of 1.38 kg in live piglet weight.

The additional cost of treatment was calculated in 0.32 Euros per piglet while the improvement in Total Body Weight (TBW) was 1.38 kg. Therefore, assuming that an average piglet price is 1.58 €/kg, shows an increase of 2.18 Euros per single animal (Figure 1).

 

The return on investment (ROI) is 1:7 which can be considered higher compared to other additives or techniques.

 

Piglets at the starter period doesn’t have a fully developed digestive capacity and as well after weaning the microbiota changes and not yet stable. The addition of Silvadeed Nutri P can mask the different tastes which can negatively effecting appetite. Silvafeed Nutri P tannins can slow down the intestinal peristaltic movements and also enhance the enzymatic action on nutrients which will lead to better digestion and absorption, which were clearly demonstrated by the better ADG.