Livestock
Q&A: Zinc oxide
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Try to modify immune response during the stressful weaning period • Including different types of fibre in the diet has big benefits, helping to bulk up digesture and slow transit time through the gut. Primary Diets has trialled wheat bran in diets with zinc removed and found it can make faeces firmer and improve growth • Additives are incredibly useful and may include acids, enzymes, pre- and probiotics and essential oils/plant extracts. However, the market is saturated with different types, Sadie noted and Primary Diets’ trial work of 103 additives found that while 27 had a positive effect, 61 had no effect and 15 negatively impacted growth and faecal consistency. So it’s important to do your research. Managing the weaned pig is also key, Sadie said and advised talking to your nutritionist about optimising pre- and post-weaning feeding regimes, considering if your feeding regime is suitable for the genetics and size of pigs, and to potentially look at gruel feeding or transition feeders. Key advice included: • Piglets should eat asap post-weaning so make sure feed is available • Maximise feed and drink space where possible – extra troughs for the next few days can be really beneficial • Think about weaning age – there are benefits to weaning an older pig.
As the pig sector potentially has longer than expected to phase out therapeutic use of zinc oxide in diets, despite the official ban on 26th June 2022, experts say is it essential that this extra time is used wisely. Livestock editor Sarah Kidby explores the latest guidance. The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) recently announced that zinc oxide products already in the supply chain by 26th June can continue to be used until their use-by date, potentially allowing access to products for another two years. But as supply levels are difficult to predict and zinc oxide removal can be complicated, producers are being urged to use the time effectively to explore alternative ways to manage post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD).
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What options are available for zinc oxide removal? A: There is no ‘one size fits all’ solution and a holistic approach will be needed to tackle PWD going forward. Speaking at a recent AHDB webinar, AHDB health and welfare scientist Lauren Dimmack advocated a ‘back to basics’ approach that includes maximising colostrum intake, regularly reviewing and tweaking cleaning and disinfection protocols, reducing stress and optimising gut health. As a robust pig that has hit its target weaning rate will cope better with any challenges, she advised maximising feed intake through simple measures such as ensuring easy access to water – as pigs that drink more, eat more; providing extra feeding space; getting heating and lighting right and ensuring pigs are familiar with solid food before weaning. Piglet nutritionist Sadie Douglas, of Primary Diets noted that, alongside other factors, feed can be one tool in the armoury. When trialling zinc removal, she advises starting with the last starter diet, as it is easiest to remove, and working backwards, making sure you have a small amount of zinc on hand in case. The priority should be to tackle looseness first, then deal with any lost performance later, she added.
Trial work carried out by Primary Diets has found 75% of farms saw no difference in looseness when zinc was removed, while 12.5% had mild looseness but not enough to warrant action; and another 12.5% had severe looseness that required antibiotics. Reduced performance was seen in just over half (53%) – though Sadie stressed this could be improved – while 35% maintained growth rates and 12% actually saw an improvement. It is known that some farms will find zinc removal harder than others, and Sadie said the results should be interpreted with caution. Other methods to consider when removing zinc include acidification (of feed and water). However, AHDB notes that significant investment is needed to use this technique on farm, and high standards of overall management, biosecurity and health are essential. For those using a liquid feed system, fermentation of feed can be used, though again, cleanliness is essential and the temperature must be maintained at 37ºC throughout the process. Whatever methods are adopted, working in close collaboration with the farm vet, nutritionist and feed company will be essential. General advice on zinc removal is available from AHDB: www.ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/removing-zinc-oxidefrom-pig-diets FG
Key recommendations included:
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Reducing crude protein in the diet. Protein digestion requires the enzyme pepsin, which operates at a low pH. As the piglet’s stomach pH is not low enough, protein digestion will be suboptimal, so undigested protein reaches the hind gut and is fermented by pathogenic bacteria, which produces a variety of compounds that exacerbate PWD. Synthetic amino acids etc have allowed nutritionists to reduce crude protein level in the diet
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