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In UK trials, where LivaPig was added to the diet, at a 1% inclusion rate, from five to seven days before farrowing and until weaning, the proportion of stillbirths was reduced by 2.4% and birth weights improved. The number of pigs weaned per litter increased by 0.5, resulting in an extra 1.2 pigs per sow per year.
“LivaPig improves piglet livability,” says Cargill UK’s technical pig specialist Maisie Lord. “Pig livability is the proportion of viable piglets a sow can raise based on stillbirths and pre-weaning mortality. “It achieves this by increasing the blood flow and, therefore, oxygen and nutrient supply to the reproductive tissue and to the piglets in utero.”
LivaPig is a blend of exclusive ingredients that uses Cargill’s patented nitric oxide boosting technology, trademarked Proxymum®. Nitric oxide is naturally present in blood, and it promotes better blood, nutrient and oxygen flow. It is commonly used in food supplements to support performance.
When fed to sows, LivaPig promotes nitric oxide activity and supports the supply of nutrients and oxygen to the piglet in utero, reducing asphyxia and boosting piglet vitality and birth weight, while decreasing the likelihood of stillborn piglets and pre-weaning mortality.
“Sow productivity continues to increase, and litter sizes are getting larger,” adds Ms Lord. “But the proportion of the litter reaching weaning age is decreasing. Stillborn piglets account for between three and eight percent of total born piglets, and pre-weaning mortality ranges from 10 percent to 20 percent. Eighty per cent of these losses are in the first three days after birth.
LivaPig was introduced into sow diets in Europe early in 2019. It is supported with extensive field trial data; the most recent results show an average improvement in livability of 3.2%, driven by a reduction in stillbirths of 1.34% and pre weaning mortality reduction of 1.5%. Results also show that, on average, the level of assistance needed during farrowing has halved.
Following recommended inclusion rates and fed at least twice a day in the run up to farrowing, LivaPig has been shown to give a return on investment of 3:1.
“UK trial results have been in line with those in mainland Europe, and producers in the UK have reported that sows farrow faster, with less farrowing assistance needed. Overall, piglets are born with more vitality and also go on to wean heavier.”
LivaPig is available in 20-kilogramme bags and used in transition and lactation rations.
January 6, 2020 - Cargill
