August 12, 2010

Denmark's Vitfoss introduces new piglet mineral

Vitfoss in Denmark has introduced a new mineral product for piglets, Pig-Omic, a combination of organic and inorganic minerals that can help in reducing gastro-intestinal problems in pigs.

The company underlines that Pig-Omic has the same positive effect on post-weaning diarrhoea as zinc in high doses. However, it is optimised in accordance with nutritional and legislative consideration for the content of copper, iron and zinc.

The product is among other things characterised by the zinc content being so low that it is possible to use it beyond 14 days after weaning, a period in which it is prohibited to use high doses of zinc. With Pig-Omic, it is possible to plan feed change according to production schedules and to the piglets' nutrient requirements-and not according to legislative regulations.

In three initial tests, inorganic copper, iron and zinc were replaced by organic copper, iron and zinc. It was tried out, which effect the replacement had on the production results and the occurrence of post-weaning diarrhoea. A significant effect on diarrhoea was shown. However, the price of the feed would reach an unrealistically high level due to the use of organic material only.

Vitfoss conducted additional tests with the purpose of identifying a combination of organic and inorganic minerals with the same positive effect on production results and occurrence of diarrhoea, and at the same being produced at a competitive price.