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Specifically developed for breeding pigs, the Renovo range helps to improve the viability and growth of piglets, while ensuring sows maintain condition in preparation for the next reproductive cycle.
ABN’s Pig Nutritionist, Steve Jagger, explains that increasing sow productivity for improved profitability must be matched with sufficient nutrient input.
“The intensification of the industry brings with it potential problems for producers and their pigs, such as more variation in birth weights, reduced average weaned weight and greater vulnerability of piglets, resulting in higher levels of mortality. It can also lead to reduced sow condition. The consequence of which, is that after weaning subsequent sow reproductive performance will be lessened.”
Steve adds that in response to these industry pressures, ABN conducted a customer survey. “It revealed that under certain circumstances a higher density product was required, particularly where feed intake was lower than required, in order to maintain adequate sow body condition during weaning.”
The new Renovo lactating diets have been designed following on-going investment in research and development, through independent and commercial trials, to meet the needs of prolific breeding sows.
“These two new high density lactation diets follows research into all key areas of the sows’ nutritional requirements and have been specifically formulated with high milk production in mind, whilst also considering that sow condition must be maintained.
“These are key concerns for units where prolific sows are generating high numbers of piglets’ year on year,” he warns. “We want strong, even litter numbers that are maintained through to weaning, with a reduced mortality overall.”
The new lactating diets include certain features to target the key areas where improvements in productivity could be made, explains Steve. “Balanced electrolytes encourage early milk production, and a special lactating sow additive pack is also included to target better colostrum. These all focus on the importance of improving piglet survival and health.”
Insoluble fibre is also a key component to reduce constipation during the transition period from the gestation diet, which consequently improves feed intake.
Steve goes on to note that a high vitamin and trace element inclusion is added to the diets to improve the immune response; while a phytase enzyme is included to assist with mineral digestibility.
The Renovo breeder range has been developed to optimise the reproductive efficiency of the prolific sow. The range contains a wide selection of diets to suit different levels of productivity to enhance individual unit performance. The products within the range are suitable for both indoor and outdoor systems, and take the key factors required for each into consideration.
Steve notes that the diets are formulated using an energy system specific for the breeding sow.
These two additional high density lactation diets supplement this recognised, established range to ensure all levels of productivity can be catered for in this era of modern pig production.
December 9, 2013 - ABN
