African swine fever (ASF) has hit the global pork trade hard over the past years.

 

While China has perhaps seen the worst of the disease prior to the COVID pandemic, the disease stubbornly surfaces in some countries like the Philippines and Vietnam. Notably, between August and October this year, two million doses of ASF vaccines will be delivered by Vietnam to the Philippines and Indonesia.

 

"Vaccine" has become the buzzword in recent times (thanks to COVID). mRNA types take on a form of popularity - or notoriety - as they augment global efforts to stem a worldwide human health crisis. Can they provide an answer to defeating ASF? The jury is out on this possibility.

 

It does not, however, take a disease to render a pig in a dismal state. Stress at seriously debilitating levels can harm their physiological functions.

 

As explained by Phytobiotics' Dr. Anja Pastor (pages 8-9), "Stress is the body's response to stressors and goes along with increased levels of catecholamines... The gastrointestinal tract is affected as well; gastric emptying is inhibited, while gastric acid production is reduced, and intestinal motility and permeability increase." Stress can also disrupt the microflora composition and pathogens, like salmonella, can seize the opportunity to "multiply and manifest themselves, posing a threat to food safety." In this context, Phytobiotics sees plantbased feed additives as ways to manage the consequences of stress on pigs.

 

Meanwhile, sustaining and protecting pig producer profits lies not just in preventing pig losses or compromised animal performance through biosecurity, but also in the intricate craft of dietary formulation. In this issue, Adisseo tells us how its Feedase approach "improves the precision of formulation recommendations for the whole enzyme complex added to feed" (pages 10-11). This effect leads to a "lower use of phosphorus and nitrogen resources and decreased nutrient waste while achieving excellent animal performance."

 

The challenges of pig production go beyond the headlines of deadly diseases striking fear into the hearts of livestock sectors.

 

Surely, there is much more to understand about keeping tabs on the various health and performance parameters of animals. Being holistic in dealing with these issues can ensure producers against being overwhelmed by future challenges.

 

The full article is published on the October 2023 issue of LIVESTOCK & FEED Business. To read the full report, please email to inquiry@efeedlink.com to request for a complimentary copy of the magazine, indicating your name, mailing address and title of the report.