One extra piglet from Progres® fed sows

A new study by the National Research Institute of Animal Production (Poland) demonstrated that inclusion of Progres® in sow diets pays back in numbers and health of surviving piglets. This study continued the research, which has shown resin acids, the active compound of Progres®, to improve the reproductive performance of sows and increase the production and quality of sow colostrum (Hasan et al. In: Animal. 2018, Dec 27: 1–8).

TRIAL DESIGN

Phase 1 (Sow performance): 56 sows (Polish synthetic line 990) were devided into Control (C) and Treatment (T) groups. The standard lactation feed in the Treatment group was supplemented with 1 kg Progres® per tonne of feed (T) from 3 wk before to 4 wk after farrowing.

Measurements: The parity number, backfat thickness at start and end of lactation, course and length of parturition, number of total born, born alive and stillbirth piglets, number and weight of piglets and weight of the litters at weaning were recorded for the sows.

Phase 2 (Piglet performance): From both sow diet groups, 80 female and 80 castrated male weanlings were housed in groups of eight and allocated to Control (C) and Treatment (T) groups as follows: CC, CT, TC, TT. The feeds of piglets in the treatment groups (CT and TT) were supplemented with Progres® (1 kg/tonne).

Measurements: The piglets were weighed at 0, 2 and 6 weeks after weaning, and recorded for daily feed intake, FCR and mortality.

RESULTS

Sow performance: Progres® fed sows demonstrated better performance, resulting in an average of 0,96 more piglets per sow than in control group (p < 0.05).

Piglet performance: Progres® in sow diet helps piglets to a good start: Average body weight at 2 weeks post-weaning was higher in piglets of Progres® fed sows (TC) than of control sows (CC).

Progres® fed to piglets also improved their performance: FCR was better in piglets of TT group than in piglets of the TC group. 

Download the poster presented at the International Symposium on Alternatives to Antibiotics in Bangkok (2019)