December 16, 2010

Provimi launches ProHacid Excel for pig feed

Provimi Group has launched a new premixture of feed additive, ProHacid Excel, for piglets. ProHacid Excel is a unique package of organic acids and essential oils specially formulated for its efficacy in feed.

ProHacid Excel consists of a mixture of organic acids including citric and benzoic acid. These acids can lower pH to assist protein digestion and enhance the antimicrobial effect. As a result, the shelf life of the feed will increase. ProHacid Excel also contains Provimi's Cinergy, a specific blend of essential oils which increases palatability and stimulates nutrient digestion.

"ProHacid Excel is based on 15 years of development work by Provimi," said Benoit Anquetil, Species Group Director Feed Additives. "The combined effect of the acids and essential oils has been optimised to ensure the maximum beneficial effect for piglets."

By improving the palatability and the digestion of nutrients, ProHacid also brings about costs-effective benefits to producers.

"It is based on a combination of dry acids and calcium salts that has advantages in the manufacturing process and in feeding. It is less corrosive than products using liquid acids. Furthermore, compared with the standard blends of acids, ProHacid Excel has an improved solubility, flow ability, and odour."

Trials comparing ProHacid Excel with a standard acid blend show increased uniformity of piglets which is important to improve the return for farmers.

Additional trials showed a benefit in cost per kilogramme weight gain by using ProHacid Excel compared with a single acid and Cinergy. "This reinforces the advantages of the synergistic effects of the organic acids and Cinergy that are offered in ProHacid Excel," added Anquetil. "It has particular advantages in liquid feeding systems and also brings technical and financial advantages when it is included in grower, finisher, and sow feeds."

Recommended inclusion rates in piglet feed are five kilogrammes/tonne and 3-4kilogrammes /tonne in grower and sow feeds.