AGRIBUSINESS: 4 piglet parameters for lifetime performance.

             AGRIBUSINESS: 4 piglet parameters for lifetime performance.

 Genetic selection is leading to larger litters of piglets born with lowered levels of physiological maturity. As this trend amplifies an evolutionary strategy in swine favouring survival of the fittest, it presents negative performance and animal welfare implications.

 Sow Peripartal Syndrome is a complex web of interactions affecting sows and piglets during the peripartal period. At least four parameters are present at birth that can ultimately determine piglets’ lifetime performance.

The following is an update on research underway to managing the syndrome. Alive at birth While genetic selection has increased the total number of pigs per litter, the number of pigs born alive has not increased at the same pace.

THYME EXTRACT AS A GROWTH PROMOTER IN BROILERS.

Antibiotics have been banned as a growth promoter but, there are alternative feed additives that can improve broiler performance. Thyme oil is an important antibiotic alternative .The use of antibiotics in poultry feed has demonstrated beneficial effects with regard to improved performance and morbidity in broiler chickens. However, the occurrence of antibiotic residues in products and the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has resulted in the ban of its use as growth promoter. Alternative feed additives in animal rations may also improve broiler performance. Essential oils, organic acids, and phytogenic compounds such as thyme oil are important antibiotic alternatives. Essential oils consist of several active compounds, with some of them comprising more than 60 individual components that can inhibit the growth of certain microorganisms, as Salmonella spp and other pathogens.The chemical composition of essential oils is variable. The primary components are the major active ingredients, whereas the secondary components act synergistically to increase the total effectiveness. It has been reported that dietary thyme (major components thymol and carvacrol) had a different effect on weight gain and body mass when used as an herb or oil; there is limited evidence whether its inclusion as a solid herb material would have a growth-promoting effect in live birds. The effects of dietary thyme-oil-extract fortification on immune functions of male broiler chicks were therefore determined. In a 42 day feeding trial the effect of dietary thyme-oil extract supplementation on immune functions of male broiler chicks were assessed by feeding graded levels (50, 100, 200, or 400 ppm). Negative-control diet with no feed-additive supplementation and 2 positive-control groups supplemented with virginiamycin or zinc bacitracin were included. Diet modifications had no significant effect on blood leukocyte sub populations and heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, dietary supplementation with thyme-oil extract, especially at the level of 100 ppm, improved immunological responses of broiler chicks. The inclusion of thyme in diets of broilers will not only increase weight gain but will improve performance. Excerpts from pig progress.

Hay,horses and heaves.

Feeding horses a balanced meal is very essential for growth and performance.The source of these various feed components are very important and proper sourcing are very vital to health and then performance of the horse. It is a proven fact that thee performance of your horse is hinged on nutritional and management techniques. The feeding of hay is vital to growth of horses,but did you know that feeding moldy hay has an effect on horse respiratory status and performance? http://www.thehorse.com/articles/36464/the-connection-between-moldy-hay-and-heaves?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=bluegrass-equine-digest&utm_campaign=09-27-2015