Respond to performance and sustainability challenges in pig livestock farming through amino acid solutions
The quality of the diet has a great impact on the performance of swine production. In particular, the nutritional quality of a feed is based on the correct usage of amino acids. They are essential to the nutritional balance of swine feeds and allows to decrease the needs in dietary protein. Environment, growth, animal health: regardless of the issue, a targeted amino acid strategy through animal nutrition can tackle it.
Address the environmental issues of pig livestock farming
Faced with environmental requirements and farmers’ desires to place their productions within a model of sustainable development, reducing excretion is an essential channel with concrete impacts (nitrogen, ammonia, etc.).
Our amino acid-based solutions address this environmental challenge in two ways :
- Excess dietary protein in the animal’s diet, causes a significant amount of nitrogen-rich excretion. Recognized as one of the best available techniques, the incorporation of feed-grade amino acids in swine feed makes it possible to reduce protein levels and the associated nitrogen excretion.
- A balanced supply of amino acids supports the performance of the farm while requiring fewer dietary resources.
Good to know! Today, we are able to formulate feeds for swine that includes the nine amino acids indispensable to this species.
Life Cycle Analysis
In order to evaluate the environmental impact of a product, the most effective tool is the LCA, i.e. the life cycle analysis. This standardized method quantifies the environmental impact of a product through two complementary steps. The first consists in taking into account the complete production cycle of the product (“from cradle to grave”) and the second measures the different impact categories (multi-criteria approach). For the production of a kilogram of pork, the LCA carried out by our teams makes it possible to measure:
- the impact on climate change (greenhouse gas emissions),
- ground and water pollution (acidification and eutrophication),
- the consumption of resources (water, energy, farmable lands).
Encourage the sustainability of swine production
Conducting a life cycle analysis for a production system helps to identify the steps to optimize in order to reduce environmental impacts, while avoiding transferring impacts from one stage to another.
The life cycle analysis of pork production demonstrates the interest for a strategy in supplementing feed-grade amino acids combined with a reduction in dietary protein levels. The integration of our amino acid-based solutions in swine feed improves the environmental performance of pork meat production by having an effect on the different stages of the life cycle through:
- Decreasing the use of protein-based raw materials (such as soybean) which reduces the environmental impact of the raw materials used in swine feed.
- Reducing acidification and eutrophication in terms of pig livestock farming.
Generally speaking, the LCA also emphasizes that better nutritional efficacy is accompanied by an improvement in environmental performance. Lastly, economically and strategically speaking, a decrease in dietary protein levels through the use of feed-grade amino acids makes it possible to reduce dependency on imported protein-rich resources and promotes the use of local raw materials.
Increase animal performance through effective swine nutrition
Faced with increasingly high performing and demanding animal genetics, animal nutrition strategies must be increasingly effective in order to support these new developments. Consequently, amino acids have a key role in animal nutrition.
The animal’s protein deposition is directly related to dietary intakes in amino acids. They are essential for the correct synthesis of muscular and functional proteins. The use of amino acids in feed recipes results in adjusted dietary levels, which are as close as possible to the animals’ requirements, with neither more nor less than needed. A balanced intake in amino acids thus enables to maximize the animal’s growth rate and feed efficiency.
Ensure pork quality
Swine farmers must comply with the intrinsic meat quality requirements. This involves maximizing lean meat levels and minimizing fatness.
At METEX ANIMAL NUTRITION, we have created agile amino acid profiles. The objective is to optimize the relationship between amino acids and the energy provided in the diet, by taking into account the pig’s physiological stage. Moreover, thanks to the net energy system, we take into account metabolic modifications that could occur during a reduction in protein intake.
Our amino acid-based solutions thus enable:
- Swine feeds that offer performance and a reduction in protein intakes,
- The correct development of the animals’ muscles, which ensures meat quality.
Respond to the issue of hyperprolific sows through their diet
Hyperprolific sows in swine livestock farming are a challenge for farmers. Indeed, they must simultaneously ensure the sows’ nutrition for their upcoming production cycles as well as that of the piglets through the quality of their mother’s milk.
Involved in the metabolism of the mammary gland, our amino acid-based solutions:
- Promote better milk production beneficial to the growth of piglets;
- Supports the immune system of sows and piglets;
- Limits sows’ weight loss;
- Contributes in obtaining litters that are more homogeneous once weaned.
Improve intestinal health in piglets
The success of piglet weaning is strongly tied to good intestinal health.
Provided in excess, dietary proteins are responsible for digestive disorders. Combining feed-grade amino acids with a balanced intake in amino acids make it possible to reduce dietary protein levels without harming performances. Moreover, they participate in maintaining intestinal integrity and the correct functioning of the animals’ immune systems.
Result: more resistant piglets and a reduction in diarrhea.
Optimize piglet’s feed intake
It is essential to maximize the piglet’s feed intake once they are weaned. Indeed, this guarantees an optimum intake in nutrients contributing to the correct development of the digestive system, growth and the animal’s health status.
Amino acids directly participate in the appetite’s regulatory mechanisms and dietary behavior. Tryptophan, Valine, Isoleucine, Leucine, balance in amino acids: our customized solutions work to maximize feed intake and the growth of piglets.
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