Dietary potassium diformate in sows during pre-farrowing till weaning: Effects on piglet performance in Thailand
Published:August 13, 2014
Summary
Potassium diformate has been shown in numerous trials to improve health and performance in piglets, growing-finishing pigs and sows. It is furthermore the only zootechnical additive with EU-approval for use throughout the whole pig production chain. The effects of potassium diformate (KDF) are often described as strong antimicrobial and digestibility enhancing. Most of the data available on the u...
dear sir,
may i get some clarification on this issue. How the potassium diformate in sows could work better absence of antibiotic in economical parameters in sows-effects on piglets. If acidifiers can improve immunity with progeny? If yes can it work with other species and can be taken as recommendation? Normally progeny immunity depend also on maternal immunity but how immunity is now linked with potassium diformat resultant better economic parameters /performance.
Thank you sir.
Dear Dr. Rath,
the impact of potassium diformate given to sows has several effects onto them: improved digestibility, inhibition of pathogenic bacteria, increased feed intake. So the impacts onto the piglets will stem from these aforementioned points. There has been reports about a higher fat content of the sow milk; higher feed intake will stimulate a better milk production - and the inhibition of pathogenic bacteria will ensure that there is a lower rish of cross infection of piglets. The result is, in a number of published reports, a significantlly increased weight of piglets at weaning and also an increased number of weaned piglets.
According to the EU registration, potassium diformate is listed as performance enhancer (zootechnical additive) for sows, pilgets and fatteners.
ok sir thank you . however, do there be any nutritional changes has to be made while incorporating potassium salt in the diet 2kg/ton of feed ? Is there any sensitive test results available with your product and comparable to feed grade antibiotics growth promoters with ref to antimicrobial activities? can we suggest to add in poultry ration like acidifiers? rath
Dear Dr. Rath,
Potassium diformate (KDF) has been granted the EU-registration status "non-antibiotic growth promoter" already several years back. It is therefore seen as an replacement/alternative to antibiotics. The additive can be used on-top in swine diets. There is no need to change the diet. Furthermore most of the commonly used in-feed antibiotics can be used together with KDF in the feed, if desired. With respect to poultry an analogue product, sodium diformate, is in use in India through Venky's since a couple of years. Please get in touch with Dr. Deshpande via anant.deshpande@addcon.com if you have further questions regarding it.
Hello.
What is the pH for the potassium diformate?
Because have a k+ this will increase the electrolytic balance ( EB) in the diet, that is not recommend in diets pre-farrowing. 2 kg per ton of potassium diformate increase the EB in 15,35 meq/kg feed.
Can we replace potassium diformate by Acid phosphoric ?
Thank you,
Vitor Santos
Dear Mr. Santos, The pH of potassium diformate is around 4.3. The molecule has been an approved zootechnical additive for the use in sows in Europe (Formi); it is actually the only zootechnical acidifier for that purpose. Its use in sows has been therefore shown efficacious and safe. Most customers use the additive only in the lactation diet, thus starting from around one week before farrowing. A shift to phosphoric acid would help to decrease the pH in feed and in the stomach, but would have no direct antibacterial against gram-negative bacteria since it is an inorganic acid. the acid is furthermore corrosive and hazoardous to work with, which potassium diformate isn't.
Dear Mr. Christian,
Very good topic, but what a pity KDF (aquaform) is still unavailable in Indonesia.
We remain use NDF (formi) as an performance enhancer (also replacement of antibiotic) for fattening piglets, birds and nilatilapia as well.
Sincerely,
Peyi
Dear Mr. Peyi,
In that case I have some good news for you. Potassium diformate has been recently registered under the name Aquaform in Indonesia. Please get in touch with Novindo about availability. In addition there is a launching tour planned. Details will also be available with Novindo in Jakarta.
Best wishes,
Christian Lückstädt