Health management of nursery piglets through nutrition

Conference Report An optimized gut function is essential for pigs’ overall health and performance. When managed correctly, gut health can significantly enhance growth, immunity, and productivity. However, if gut health is compromised, it can lead to lifetime negative impacts on a pig’s performance. Early feed intake enhances GIT development Dr. Edwards emphasized that good health […]
Organic acids can play a crucial role in zinc oxide replacement

Dr. Inge Heinzl, Editor EW Nutrition & Juan Antonio Mesonero Escuredo, GTM Swine/GPM Organic Acids EW Nutrition The use of high levels of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) in the EU before 2022 was one of the most common methods to prevent postweaning diarrhea (PWD) in pig production. Pharmacologically high levels of ZnO (2000-3000 ppm) increase growth […]
How can you compensate an activated immune system in piglets?

By Technical Team, EW Nutrition As pig production specialists, we understand that our animals are under constant challenge during their life. Challenges can be severe or moderate, correlated to several factors – such as, for instance, stage of production, environment, and so on – but they will always be present. To be successful, we need […]
Piglet Nutrition Scenarios for AGP Removal

Over the past 60 years, antibiotics have played an essential role in the swine industry as a tool that swine producers rely on to control diseases and to reduce mortality. Besides, antibiotics are also known to improve performance, even when used in subtherapeutic doses. The perceived overuse of antibiotics in pig production, especially as […]
Understanding and managing Strep suis in swine: The essentials

Strep suis causes vast losses in pig production and threatens human health, too. We still rely on antibiotics to control it – but we will have to change tactics to contain antimicrobial resistance. Streptococcus suis is one of the most economically harmful pathogens for the global swine industry. When I started working in pig production 25 […]
Mind the immunity gap: egg immunoglobulins bolster piglets’ immune system

In contrast to humans, piglets do not receive any maternal immunoglobulins via the placenta. It is therefore of vital importance for these young animals to receive maternal antibodies via the colostrum as soon as possible after birth. Otherwise, they are more vulnerable to illnesses in their early stages of life. In this article, we look […]
Mind the immunity gap: egg proteins bolster the piglets’ immune system

In contrast to humans, piglets do not receive any maternal immunoglobulins via the placenta. It is therefore of vital importance for these young animals to receive maternal antibodies via the colostrum as soon as possible after birth. Otherwise, they are more vulnerable to illnesses in their early stages of life. In this article, we look […]
Optimal conditions in the farrowing unit put piglets in pole position

The most important parameters for a pig producer are the number of healthy pigs weaned/sow/year and their weaning weight. Due to improved genetics, it is possible today to find production systems that deliver more than 30 pigs weaned/sow/year. Strategies to increase sow productivity need to take into account the management, feeding, and health of both […]
Fewer pathogens with egg immunoglobulins

For newborn pigs there are often a host of different challenges – think of crushing or contamination of the farrowing pen. For the last problem, solutions exist. A dietary approach can help to relieve pathogenic pressure through sow manure. The main objective of a piglet producer is to maximise the number of healthy weaned piglets […]