Supplementation of kelp extract (SWE) after weaning improves piglet intestinal health, improves producer performance, and increases weight gain during the growth and finishing phase, according to researchers in the Republic of Ireland. For commercial pigs produced by sows supplemented with SWE in late pregnancy, SWE supplementation during the growth and finishing phase has no effect. Utp China Feed Industry Information Network - based on feed, serving animal husbandry

The current study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation of SWE on sows and weaned pigs on post-weaning growth performance, intestinal morphology, intestinal microflora, volatile fatty acid concentrations, and immune status at 11 and 117 days post-weaning in piglets, Ireland SG Leonard and colleagues from the University College of the Republic of the Republic recently published an article in the British Nutrition Journal. Utp China Feed Industry Information Network - based on feed, serving animal husbandry

SWE (0 and 10.0 g/day) was supplemented to pregnant sows (n=20) from day 107 of pregnancy to weaning. At weaning, piglets (four pigs per sow) were divided into two groups according to the sow lactation diet, supplemented with SWE (0 and 2.8 g/kg diet), thus forming four treatment groups: (1 BB (control sow-control piglets); (2) BS (control sow-treated piglets); (3) SB (treated sow-control piglets); (4) SS (treated sow-treated piglets). Utp China Feed Industry Information Network - based on feed, serving animal husbandry

The average daily gain (ADG) of the 21 days after weaning of the piglets supplemented with SWE was higher than that of the unsupplemented SWE sows (P<0.05). Utp China Feed Industry Information Network - based on feed, serving animal husbandry

The population of Escherichia coli in weaned piglets supplemented with SWE was lower than that of unsupplemented pigs at 11 days after weaning (P<0.01) and 117 days after weaning (P<0.05). The MUC2 mRNA abundance of the weaned pigs supplemented with SWE was higher than that of the pigs at 11 days after weaning (P<0.05). Utp China Feed Industry Information Network - based on feed, serving animal husbandry

Leonard and colleagues concluded that their results showed that dietary supplementation with SWE improved intestinal health and improved growth performance in weaned piglets. Dietary supplementation with SWE also increases the average daily gain in the growth and finishing stages. However, for growth-finishing pigs from sows supplemented with dietary supplements, diet supplementation with SWE had no effect. Utp China Feed Industry Information Network - based on feed, serving animal husbandry