New source of phytase could improve pig performance, profitability
Testing in other phases of production, including sows and finishing pigs, will be needed to confirm its benefits.
A Kansas State University graduate student has completed a study on dietary formulation strategies that she says will help to improve sustainability and efficiency in swine production. Macie Reeb, a research assistant in applied swine nutrition, tested nursery pig diets that included various levels of a novel source of phytase.
"Phytase is a feed enzyme that has grown in popularity over the past few decades and now most producers would include phytase in their diets," she said. "However, when a new commercial phytase enters the market, studies are required to determine its efficacy."
Because of limited availability of phosphorus in swine diets, nutritionists often increase inorganic phosphorus to optimize growth and ensure normal bone formation.
"In this study we determined growth performance and feed efficiency, and at the end of the trial, we also collected bones from a subset of the pigs to determine bone density and other mineralization indicators," Reeb said. "The results of this study demonstrated that this new source of phytase could be used to optimize growth and efficiency and was successful at improving bone mineralization."
"Ultimately this will help producers improve pig performance and increase profitability," she said.
Reeb said additional research will be needed to test the phytase in diets containing different ingredients than what was used in this trial to ensure it will work with many different diet formulation strategies. Testing the phytase in other phases of production, including sows and finishing pigs, will be needed to confirm its benefits.
New HotHog app predicts heat stress in pigsHotHog, a new smartphone application that predicts heat stress in pigs, is now available for download and use, a team of Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and university scientists announced this week.
Available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, HotHog taps into local weather data to predict the relative comfort or heat stress levels of pigs on an hourly, daily or weekly basis. Swine producers can then use this information to take pre-emptive measures, like ensuring plenty of drinking water, cooling the pigs with fans or mists, and limiting transport to early morning hours. Read more