12 August 2021 – The still-developing gastrointestinal system of post-weaning pigs has always presented a problem in their ability to digest feed properly. Various early weaning stressors, like separation from the sow, mingling with piglets from other litters, transportation and handling, can also further impact their sensitive systems and exacerbate the problem. A highly digestible diet is therefore key to ensuring they get all the necessary nutrients needed to meet their developmental goals.
Crucial to a piglet’s growth during the post-weaning stage is protein, which it needs in high amounts as a source of essential and non-essential amino acids to help with physical development. However, this process is encumbered by the piglet’s immature gastrointestinal system which is unable to produce enough of the enzymes needed to efficiently digest and utilise all the protein it consumes. The problem is compounded when undigested protein reaches the hind gut of the piglet, where it can ferment and cause a range of intestinal difficulties that can impede growth.
Cargill Animal Nutrition believes its Provisoy™ range of soy protein products can help pig farmers manage this risk thanks to a special processing technology that improves protein digestibility and enzymatic functions in a piglet’s gastrointestinal tract. In today’s Industry Perspectives we check in with Leandro Hackenhaar, the company’s Global Technical Lead for Swine Young Animal Nutrition and Elke Van Gelderen, Global Category Lead for Swine Young Animal Nutrition to find out more about the technology behind Provisoy, its impact on piglet development, and its recent roll out in Vietnam.
[Feedinfo] What exactly happens when undigested protein makes it into the hind gut of the piglet and what is it about this area of its anatomy that makes it such a hotspot for gastrointestinal issues?
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[Leandro Hackenhaar] A young pig’s hind gut is a complex environment, containing a rich diversity of bacteria with different functions. In ideal situations, the microflora are in balance, but as soon as the animal experiences stress the equilibrium is affected. In addition, if feed does not contain highly digestible protein ingredients suitable for young pigs, a significant amount of non-digested protein can reach the hind gut, which some bacteria use as an energy source. The result can be a reduction in the population of beneficial bacteria, consequently impacting the piglet’s uptake of nitrogen. This also leads to higher protein availability for fermentation, which produces toxic components, such as amines and skatole, that cause inflammation, lesions and, consequently, diarrhoea. Environmental, physiological, and nutritional stressors reinforce this process. |
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Leandro Hackenhaar
[Feedinfo] You claim your Provisoy processing technology can help pig producers tackle a number of the problems associated with undigested protein. How does it go about doing this and how effective is it?
[Leandro Hackenhaar] The very high protein digestibility of Provisoy reduces the amount of non-digested protein that reaches the hind gut, thus reducing substrate for protein fermentation. In a trial recently published, ileal digestible lysine from Provisoy was 6.1% higher than in soybean meal (96.4 vs. 90.3%). The production process also changes the soy carbohydrate structure, transforming it into a better substrate for beneficial bacteria fermentation and consequently higher short chain fatty acids production. Those, besides a good source of energy to support animal growth, help to lower the pH and stabilise the microflora. These bacteria also use nitrogen from non-digested protein to produce their own protein, further helping to reduce substrate for protein fermentation. As a result, Provisoy improves stool quality on average by 30%, going from loose stool to firm stool for example. Hence, it reduces diarrhoea and helps improve growth.
[Feedinfo] How exactly does Provisoy affect piglet growth? Do you have any findings you can share with us?
[Leandro Hackenhaar] In a recent meta-analysis of 13 trials, we see that it increased average daily gain (ADG) by 6% during the first two weeks post-weaning when compared to soybean meal. In a trial with challengeable circumstances, involving early weaned piglets and high incidence of pathogens, the soybean meal replacement by Provisoy lead to 35% better growth in the first week after weaning. The growth benefit is stronger in smaller piglets and therefore it improves batch uniformity, leading to, for example, a better manageable all-in-all-out system.
[Feedinfo] You mentioned that it can also improve stool quality and reduce diarrhoea. How big a role do you think it can play in zinc oxide replacement strategies?
[Leandro Hackenhaar] In piglet feed produced by Cargill, Provisoy has been one of the main tools used to support health and performance, especially in situations of limited use of medications and zinc oxide (ZnO). The modes of action are not comparable, but we know that the reduction of fermentable protein provides substantial support for overcoming ZnO withdrawal issues. The benefits on microflora that we can see in young pigs fed diets with low fermentable protein can lead to positive impacts in performance and health for the entire life of the animal. We cannot expect the same for ZnO supplementation. In addition, one of the most consistent responses is the improved stool quality, which is a good tool to help overcome issues with ZnO removal.
[Feedinfo] Until July, Provisoy was only available in Europe and China. Now you have launched it in Vietnam. What was the strategic thinking behind choosing that country over others in the region?
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[Elke Van Gelderen] We have a well-established swine business in Vietnam and are always looking for young pig nutrition and product innovation to complement our offering. Any new nutritional innovation has to help customers in maximising growth while securing digestive health. Provisoy has been identified as part of the solution because its benefits are so in-line with customer needs. The ability to leverage our Vietnamese local manufacturing capabilities, enabling us to offer a consistent and profitable solution to our customers, also played a role in the decision. |
Elke Van Gelderen[Feedinfo] Are there plans to roll it out in other territories, specifically the Americas? What are the timelines?
[Elke Van Gelderen] We keep leveraging our expertise and know-how in other regions so our customers can take advantage of the benefits that Provisoy brings through our young pig solutions and/or as a specialty ingredient. The benefits on animal health and performance have proven to be consistent in different parts of the world. We are currently exploring the possibilities to apply this technology in Latin America and North America. In addition, we expect to expand to other Asian countries.
[Feedinfo] Due to deforestation concerns, there is a push by some environmentalists to replace soy in animal feed with alternatives. What does this mean for Provisoy?
[Elke Van Gelderen] We are committed to feeding the world in a safe, sustainable, and responsible way. We are aware of the deforestation concerns, and we commit to eliminate deforestation in our supply chains by 2030. This requires a holistic approach looking into different aspects as part of the solution.
Specific to Provisoy:
• We are actively looking into sustainable sourcing opportunities for soy used for Provisoy
• We have a strong focus on process and quality control to ensure we provide a consistent high-quality product, produced in the most efficient way (e.g., no loss, no rework needed, no surplus energy and water use)
• It decreases diarrhoea and helps in the responsible use of antibiotics and zinc oxide
• In addition to improving animal health, Provisoy improves performance, especially of small young pigs, leading to better animal welfare
In summary, by continuously working on the different aspects that affect safety and sustainability of feed and animal production, we believe Provisoy is a key enabler and part of the overall solution.
[Feedinfo] What can we expect next from Cargill in the animal nutrition space?
[Elke Van Gelderen] You should expect more innovative solutions in nutritional excellence, gut health, feed safety, sustainability and digital solutions. For example, we are leveraging Cargill’s microbiome capabilities with a focus in target species like poultry and swine to better understand how our products and solutions can be further developed and improved upon.
We are accelerating efforts in Young Animal Nutrition including piglet milk replacers, specialty ingredients and core nutrition. We also have a strong focus on quality and consistency through the entire value chain to deliver on our promised product and methodically improve our products with new innovations.
With our digital capabilities, we are focused on helping producers use their data effectively and efficiently, such as feed inventory and ordering solutions, to ensure adequate supply, and optimization of profitability by modelling how diet and feed strategies impact projected hog prices.
Published in association with Cargill Animal Nutrition
