Performance

Sustainability in pig production

Sustainability is a future basic requirement in the production of foodstuffs of animal origin. The pig sector has already come a long way in this respect with the amount of feed now needed to reach slaughter weight 22 kg less than only 10 years ago. This corresponds to 13 fattening days and 11.6 kg of feed-related CO₂ equivalents per pig, and clearly demonstrates the principle that productivity and sustainability go hand in hand.

This development has been possible thanks to targeted breeding and the provision of highly effective feed additives, such as enzymes that significantly increase the nutrient availability from plant feed. Less plant material is needed to fulfil higher demands, and therefore saves natural resources such as mineral phosphorous.

Resource availability and the challenges in pig production

In times of scarce resources due to a steadily growing world population, the competition between food, feed and biofuel will become the focus of public debate in the future. Pigs are currently ranked second in the greatest food competition with humans. It is therefore vital to increase the integration of by-products from food production or catch crops into ration planning in the future without limiting the current high performance level of the animals. Feed enzymes will continue to play a key role in the circular economy model.

Precise ration planning is important due to limited raw material availability and integration of alternative feeds. The crude protein reduction strategy with the simultaneous use of synthetic amino acids has proven to be effective not only in terms of reducing nitrogen emissions from the pig house. At the same time, this is an effective means of reducing post weaning diarrhoea. Thus, this strategy simultaneously addresses the issues of sustainability, animal welfare, antibiotic avoidance, but also the livestock farmer directly, as healthy animals perform better throughout their lives and at the same time cause both lower veterinary and feed costs.

Despite significant improvements in the efficiency of pig herds, limited space or room to move, high stocking densities in conjunction with high metabolic performance pose health risks for the animals. Skin lesions from rank fights or intermittent-temporal sow housing in crates, as well as ear rim necroses frequently observed in practice, provide entry points for potentially pathogenic agents. Respiratory diseases are also of high practical relevance and mean - like any challenge of the immune system - that the animal organism "invests" nutrients in defence instead of growth.

The solution for good pig performance

Functional additives such as botanicals can support in the prevention of disease and/or strengthen the immune system. Only healthy animals can fully exploit their performance potential and be part of a productive and sustainable value chain.

Muscle and liver metabolism play a major role in maintaining the performance of the organism. Supplementation with L-carnitine (Carneon products by Kaesler Nutrition) in phases of high stress offers the opportunity to intervene in a supportive manner.
Depending on their mode of action, enzymes (Enzy range by Kaesler Nutrition) are also beneficial in increasing nutrient availability, thereby improving growth performance and increasing feed efficiency.
Fluctuations in feed intake, such as stress-induced eating depression followed by overeating, can lead to intestinal dysbiosis. Adding flavours to pig feed is known to stimulate the appetite and maintain feed intake at a constant level while acting as enrichment for the pigs. Kaesler Nutrition offers a wide range of flavours with Cuxarom – from soothing vanilla, milky flavours to appetising fruity notes. There are flavours to suit all tastes.
The Spicemaster GH range by Kaesler Nutrition offers unique blends of herbs, essential oils and brown algae for use in piglet and fattening feeds to promote gut health and maintain performance.
Feeding sows a constant supply of L-carnitine (Carneon by Kaesler Nutrition) during gestation and lactation has shown to have positive effects on piglet weight and fertility with improved conception rate and wean-to-oestrus interval.
The strategy of crude protein reduction aims at preventing weaning piglets from colonic dysbiosis caused by undigested protein and has additional benefits, such as emission reduction. When feeding low-protein diets, it is important to ensure targeted supplementation of limiting amino acids according to the ideal protein of pigs and in consideration of the raw materials used. Using synthetic amino acids is the tool to adapt the amino acid profile accurately.

Our products for the performance of pigs

Amino Acids

Amino acids are vital for all living beings to build proteins. Amino acids and proteins are the building blocks of life.

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Botanicals

Using botanicals in animal feed can have a positive effect on digestion and maintain general health and well-being.

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Carnitine

L-Carnitine supports energy metabolism and helps the body turn fat into energy .

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Enzymes

Using feed enzymes is essential to improve nutrient digestibility and cost efficiency.

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Flavours

Flavouring compounds improve the sensory characteristics of feed via active olfactory and gustatory components.

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