501 No zinc and no antibiotics in pig management (Industry Innovation)

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Industry Innovation

No zinc and no antibiotics in pig management by Peter McKenzie

In Significant Impact Group(s): Feed / gut health; Feed additives and supplements

Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young;
Outcome Parameter(s): more good live pigs; more heavier pigs 4 weeks post weaning

Summary: In this paper McKenzie shares his journey with the impact of E.coli on pig management – eventually without antibiotic and zinc oxide use.

After years of veterinary practice, he came to the following regime that results in more good live pigs and heavier pigs at 4 weeks post weaning with minimal or zero injectable antibiotic and no need for zinc oxide:

  • Attention to detail
  • All-in-all-out and hygiene
  • Quality weaner diet consisting of
    o Less than 18.5% protein;
    o European programme of coated butyric, formic and citric acid and Baccilus PB6
    o Korean programme of Algal immune stimulant.

The programme is usually cheaper than Zinc plus some antibiotics. Some farmers have been on the programme for over a year with success. Remove ZnO gently – if management is not as good as expected, and you have a very pathogenic E. coli, then E.coli may triumph over lack of ZnO.

Country: AU (Australia)

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Step-by-step plan for chemical disinfection of drinking water pipes

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Safe drinking water is essential for healthy animals. Contaminated water can quickly lead to health problems and thus increase the need for antibiotic treatments. Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to the drinking water and pipes. Reduction of the bacteriological load of the water is often achieved by a treatment with a disinfectant such as chlorine or peroxide (= chemical disinfection). When choosing the product and dosage, several factors must be taken into account: the contamination at the source, any additives, vaccines or medication that will be administered via the water, the presence of biofilm or lime scale … Therefore it is highly recommended to discuss with your vet or advisor which treatment is appropriate for your situation., An effective chemical disinfection of your drinking water system can be obtained with the following step-by-step plan (note, only perform in between production rounds!):

1. Open the pipes and drinking nipples.
2. Add the prescribed dilution (depending on the product) to the drinking water system by means of a dosing pump.
3. Measure the water at the end of the pipes with the test strip supplied to check whether there is sufficient product in the entire system.
4. Close the pipes and drinking nipples and let the product take effect. The contact time depends on the product used.
5. Open the pipe and nipple drinkers and flush abundantly with water.
6. Check if the drinking nipples are functioning properly before new animals are allowed into the stable.
7. Check again with a test strip at the end of the line whether all remaining product has been removed.

Antibiotics alternatives: Plant extracts, spices and essential oils

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The use of extracts of plants, phytobiotics and essential oils is mainly due to their effect on the intestinal function since among the therapeutic properties that they can have, the following stand out: antiseptic, bactericidal, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, carminative, euphotic.

One of the most interesting functions is the bactericide. Although in practice satisfactory results are obtained, its mechanism of action is still not completely known, although it could be due to the pressure, they exert on the cell membrane of the bacteria, giving rise to imbalances that compromise the osmotic balance and can eventually destroy the bacteria.

One of the characteristics of plant oils and extracts is the synergy with other organic products commonly used in animal feed. On the other hand, research is being carried out on their positive effect on improving digestive secretions and enzyme functioning at the intestinal level and hepatic.

Most of these combinations of phytobiotics and essential oils are marketed for their organoleptic properties in the functional group of ‘flavourings’ defined by Regulation (EC) No 831/2003 for use in animal nutrition as ‘substances whose addition to feed increases flavour or palatability’.

These products are not yet authorised for health or zootechnical purposes as further research is needed into their mechanism of action, optimal use rate, efficacy, repeatability of results and safety. In the case of use at inadequate doses they can present toxicity, although the toxicity is lower than natural extracts and essential oils if they are not purified.

96 Oregano oil by Nottingham Trent University (Farm Innovation)

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96 Farm Innovation – Oregano oil by Nottingham Trent University96 Farm Innovation – Oregano oil by Nottingham Trent University

96 Farm Innovation
Oregano oil by Nottingham Trent University
in Significant Impact Group(s): Feed / gut health \ Feed additives and supplements – Feed additives and supplements ; Pathogen management
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary: British researchers have shown in a recently published study the beneficial effect of the addition of natural oregano essential oil in the diet of breeding sows and the beneficial results on piglets before and after weaning. “Oregano essential oil is well documented to provide support for animal health and performance due to its active compounds. Carvacrol and thymol are two such compounds and have been shown to have both antimicrobial and antioxidant functions.” support the authors of the study.
The research was carried out in a commercial pig unit in the UK and involved 62 multiparous sows. The conclusion was that the inclusion of oregano essential oil helped maintain the body condition score of suckling sows, increased weight gain during the first week of life of piglets, decreased pre-weaning mortality and significantly decreased the incidence of drug use.
96 Farm Innovation – Oregano oil by Nottingham Trent University
Where to find the original material: (in English)
https://www.revista-ferma.ro/articole/zootehnie/impactul-eubioticelor-pe-baza-de-oregano-asupra-sanatatii-si-performantei-scroafelor;
Country: UK

Step-by-step plan for water sampling

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1. Take a bottle that is as clean as possible and rinse it several times with the water to be analysed. A number of labs also have receptacles available.
2. Wash your hands thoroughly.
3. For a sample directly from a reservoir you take a mixed sample of different subsamples. You should preferably scoop these subsamples about 30 cm below the water surface. After good mixing, the receptacle can be filled.
4. Follow the following procedure for a sample from a tap:
– To know the quality of the starting water (the source), choose a tap as close to the source as possible.
– To check the quality at the drinking points, take a sample from a tap that is as far from the source as possible.
5. Clean the tap well, preferably also with an alcohol tissue.
6. If you want to know the quality of the starting water (the source), let the tap run for some minutes. To detect problems with biofilm formation in the pipes or to check if a disinfectant works effectively, let it run only for a short time.
7. Fill the receptacle for bacteriology first, then the receptacle for chemical parameters.
8. It is important that the samples reach the lab as soon as possible. If this is not possible, make sure that the samples are kept cool (refrigerated) for storage and transportation.

Step-by-step plan for the acidification of drinking water

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In pigs and poultry, acidification of the drinking water can be a very effective tool to prevent or lower the need for antibiotics. Acidification can have multiple beneficial effects, such as improved palatability and thus water intake, improved digestion, prebiotic effect and reduction of pathogens (e.g., Salmonella). Each type of acid or acid mixture has its own specific properties. Moreover, disinfection products or other compounds present in the water can interfere or react with acids. In some cases, organic acids can cause slime formation due to growth of yeasts and fungi. Always consult your vet/advisor to discuss which acid (mixture) suits your drinking water system and water quality best. Once a suitable acid (mixture) is chosen, the correct dosage is the key to success.

How to determine the correct dosage:

1. Fill a bucket with 10l of the water to be tested.
2. Put on safety glasses and acid resistant gloves.
3. Take a disposable syringe of 10 or 20 ml and fill it with the acid (mixture) to be tested.
4. Add 5 ml of the acid (mixture) to the water and measure the pH with a pH strip or pH meter (both for sale at the pharmacy). Repeat this step until you reach the desired pH (typically around pH 4; discuss this with your vet/advisor)
5. Write down how much acid (mixture) you added to the water (= ‘x’ ml)
6. Calculate the dosage:
x millilitre of acid added to 10 litres of water =>
DOSAGE = x/10 litre of acid per 1000 litre of water
7. Repeat this procedure every time the water source or type of acid (mixture) is changed

Microbial toxin elimination by selective binding

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Every day, farmers all across the world work hard to give their animals the best possible care. However, there are many challenges among them how to find balanced and cost effective feed and how to keep livestock healthy. Moreover, due to climate change, raw materials are even more exposed to increased temperatures and higher humidity, what results in microbial contamination and subsequent toxin production, for example mycotoxins what poses a serious threat to animal health and performance.

Today’s solutions are innovative concepts dealing with climate change and increasing feed efficiency and customer convenience. The negative aspects of climate change can be easily targeted by providing the animals cost effective multi-level nutritional concepts able to prevent these issues by selective toxin absorption (avoiding nutrient malnutrition), create a healthy gut and gastrointestinal barrier, supplemented by ingredients promoting immune boosting and liver function. This is all combined in concepts such as VitaFix, an alternative for antibiotics and combining advanced adsorbing agents together with organic acids and natural antioxidants. Farmers across the globe are very satisfied with such multi-level solutions as witnessed in the video.

Buffer solution for stabilization rumen fermentation

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It is very difficult to increase milk production in dairy cattle, without jeopardizing digestive disorder and subsequent animal health. However, sound buffer concepts can support and protect the rumen and intestines. In counteracts the effect of high energy diets that disrupt the healthy functioning of the rumen by buffering the acidification by overproduction of short chain fatty acids. This way, lysis of bacteria by acidification and subsequent release of endotoxins is avoided. As a consequence, intestinal barrier is not weakened and does not result in leaky gut and sepsis. Finally, there is no energy loss towards fortifying the immunity of the animal, resulting in better performance and health.

It is clear that buffers can overcome intestinal disorders in ruminants, while increasing milk production. This way, the performance index of the animal is strongly improved and the financial profit per animal is much better, as witnessed by farmers.

Galacto Oligosaccharides for improving health of newborn piglets

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Sows give birth to more, but less mature piglets. Therefore, early stimulation of their intestinal development is required. But how do you know what newborn piglets need?

The answer is found in nature. In human breast milk, the most important components are lactose, lipids, proteins and above all human milk oligosaccharides (HMO). This last component is very remarkable, as babies cannot digest it.

Now, why did mother nature add them to breast milk? HMO are there to feed the beneficial microbes in the baby’s gastrointestinal tract and have prebiotic and antimicrobial functions, strengthen immunity and as a consequence stimulate gastrointestinal maturation.

To improve formula milk, the scientific community developed galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), which mimics the function of HMO. When supplied to newborn piglets, longer villi as well as more beneficial microbes and their positive metabolites (short chain fatty acids) are observed. In addition, gastrointestinal barrier function is improved and the piglets show stronger immunity, all resulting in improved zootechnical performance and health.

Farmers witness the positive effect of GOS and have seen that the product is very reliable and this way they like the concept and want to continue to use in their farm it in the future.

Vaccination of in-calf cows and housing practices against calf scour (Neonatal calf diarrhea)

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Calf scour (Neonatal calf diarrhoea) is the most common cause of disease and death in calves during the pre-weaning period. Scour can be due to both infectious (e.g., viruses and bacteria) or non-infectious causes (such as poor nutrition). Symptoms are most often diarrhoea that might be green, yellow or grey in colour, weak animals, dehydrated animal (especially when very young) causing sunken-eyes, etc.

Good hygiene, colostrum provision and biosecurity are important for minimising the chances of an outbreak occurring, independent of the cause of scour. Calves are most at risk from infectious scour in the first 3-4 weeks of life and need a continuous source of protection. In collaboration with their herd veterinarians, farmers can vaccinate in-calf cows against calf diarrhoea a few weeks before calving, while increasing the quantities of colostrum given to the calves at birth. After doing this, cases of diarrhoea in the calves should usually drop.

In addition, it is important to segregate calves by age to prevent passing infectious agents from older calves to younger more vulnerable ones and to maintain clean, dry housing with good ventilation. For example, individual pens (which are easier to clean, transport and disinfect) could be used to rear these calves.