Ongoing genetic improvement keeps challenging nutritionists. In sows and piglets, the amount of phosphorus (P) absorbed is always at risk of limiting production. Selection for higher prolificacy raises requirements proportionally.
Limited P availability for sows will hurt piglet performance, both in the farrowing house and after weaning. Both categories respond well to greater nutrient availability, with better reproductive performance in sows and better growth performance in piglets.
In addition, some sow lines have shown a high incidence of rectal or vaginal prolapse, to the point that sow mortality significantly affects the economics of production. The cause is still not fully understood.
Studies on the role of fiber and energy have been inconclusive. Another likely cause is peripartum hypocalcemia, as seen in cows. A lack of calcium (Ca) compromises visceral muscle tone, favoring organ displacement. Adequate Ca and P availability during this period may help prevent it.
With this scenario in mind, GFS Global Feed Solutions, a 100% Brazilian company, created Growpork, which features the patented Poligrow® technology, able to carry calcium and phosphorus ions and increase their absorption and retention in pigs.
In an experiment at UFPR, during lactation, treated sows and piglets performed better in feed intake (both sows and piglets), feed conversion (both sows and piglets), piglet average daily gain and final litter weight.
After weaning, treated piglets showed higher daily weight gain and better feed conversion than untreated ones. Among the untreated piglets, those whose mothers received the Poligrow® technology performed better than those from control sows.
Overall, the best performance came from the treatment in which both sows and piglets received feed containing 1 kg of Growpork per ton.
With this protocol, we achieved the best piglet start, with higher average daily gain and better feed conversion in both sows and piglets, and great potential for economic return.
Growpork shows excellent potential to optimize production, with a high cost-benefit ratio, especially in a hyperprolific scenario.
