Grober Nutrition

Formulation for Performance

• In formulating a ration, it is important to remember that the 10-28 day old pig is at a very different stage of development than its older counterparts.
• The ingredient selection is critical for optimal utilization by an immature digestive tract.
• Greater growth rates are achieved with more complex diets at this early stage.
• The primary objective of this ration is to match feed ingredients with the pig’s digestive capabilities and to entice the pigs to begin consuming dry feed.

Protein Sources

• The traditional source of protein for the young nursery pig is milk or milk products. Milk proteins are highly digestible and have an excellent balance of the essential amino acids.
• Porlet contains a high level of high quality edible whey products, as used in Grober milk replacers to maintain high digestion and gut health.
• Two to three week old pigs cannot utilize the protein from soybean meal very well.
  The enzymes needed to break down the complex proteins and carbohydrates present are not fully developed at this stage.
  Untreated soya beans also contain high levels of antigenic (allergic) properties that result in damage to the gut lining and reduced digestive and absorptive capacity for the young pig.
• Grober Porlet contains ‘Infrudex’ Soya that has been processed to enhance digestion and almost remove anti nutritive factors for easier weaning and improved performance. (See ingredient processing, page 4.)
• Grober Porlet contains milk replacer quality vegetable proteins that are included for their high digestibility and amino acid complement.
• Grober Porlet contains spray-dried plasma protein that is high in digestible protein and lysine. Spray-dried plasma protein provides consistent results of improved daily gain and feed intake.

% improvement in Performance for Pigs fed spray-dried plasma proteins compared to dried skim milk

Weaning Age	Weight (kg)	Daily% gain	Feed	Feed/Gain	Reference
21 (days)	5.9	42	37.2	-2.4	J.Anim.Sci 9(Suppl.1):103(1991)
21	5.18	15.2	27.9	10.9	J.Anim.Sci 69(Suppl.1):372(1991)
Not Given	7.1	81.9	34.2	59.5	J.Anim.Sci69(Suppl.1):103(1991)
25	6.1	78.1	41.3	-30.6	J.Anim.Sci 70 (Suppl.1):60(1992)
21	6.4	55.8	46.6	-6.3	J.Anim.Sci 71 (Suppl.1):57(1993)
11	3.4	11.8	13.7	-2.2	J.Anim.Sci 72 (Suppl.2):69(1994)
18	7.3	32.5	44.6	-7.6	J.Anim.Sci 72 (Suppl.2):69(1994)

 Carbohydrate sources

• As previously discussed, early-weaned pig diets require high levels of lactose. PORLET contains a high quality edible-grade, dried whey.
• Dried whey is a by-product of the cheese industry and contains about 70% lactose as well as some high quality protein.
• The quality and nutritional value of dried whey is variable, primarily influenced by the temperature used in the drying process but also the original cheese source. Overheated whey will have dark particles or an overall brown appearance.
• This indicates overheating and a chemical reaction occurs (Maillard reaction) that binds the lysine and lactose, making both less digestible.
• These are often referred to as ‘feed grade’ whey.
• Great care is taken in the selection of all Grober raw materials.
• Grober Porlet contains ‘Infrudex’ Corn and ‘Infrudex’ wheat that have been processed to allow improved starch digestion and feed efficiency for the immature pig at weaning. (see ingredient processing, page 4)

Fat sources

• Fat is included in weanling pig rations to increase the energy density of the diet and improve fat utilization by the pig.
• Grober adds only carefully selected edible grade fats and oils that have been blended to best meet the needs of the young piglet.
• Emulsifiers also improve and ease the utilization of fat by reducing globule size.
• Lecithin is added to further improve fat digestibility.
• The energy and amino acid relationship of the ration cannot be dissociated and is considered in formulation. The response of protein deposition to protein intake is energy dependant.
• The rates of deposition of the tissues are influenced by several factors including: live weight, genotype, and sex.
• There is also a relationship between energy, amino acids and voluntary feed intake. (DJA Cole)

Health Promotion

Grober Porlet does not contain medication.
 
Health promotion is provided by three factors:
 

• Acidification: Two acidifying agents are used, Denkacid and citric acid to help decrease the pH level of the finished product.
• Organic acids are used in feeds because of their positive effects on feed hygiene and gut health.
  A low/acid pH in the stomach of the weanling pig helps to improve nutrient digestion and thus growth performance and feed efficiency.
• Less fermentable, partly digested feed in the gut reduces the risk of pathogenic bacteria colonizing and resultant diarrhoea.

The Denkacid blend is also chosen for its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, resulting in low risk health problems. 

	Piglet Stomach	Porlet Gruel	Typical pellet in solution
pH	4.55	4.8	5.4

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Immunoglobulins (Ig):

• Spray-dried plasma protein contains important immunoglobulins and other factors that improve the health status of the young piglet intestine.
• With a declining passive immunity and immature active immunity, the 2-4 week old piglet is very susceptible to disease and pathogenic stressors at this critical stage of transfer in diet and environment.
• Many bacteria and viruses that infect young piglets are enteric (they colonize the intestine where they typically cause damage and signs of disease, diarrhoea and dehydration).
• Improved performance with the Ig fraction is thought to be due to a protective effect against the adhesion of some pathogens to the gut wall, preventing colonisation and damage. A reduction in damage to the gut wall will increase its absorption capacity and reduce incidence of diarrhoea.
• Weaning has been shown to be associated with increased intestinal inflammation (Cummins et al, 1999, Mccracke et al, 1999, Zijlstra et al. 1999). Dietary plasma proteins may suppress the local intestinal pro-inflammatory response associated with weaning.

 

Impact of antigenic (bacteria, virus, fungi etc) challenge on rate and efficiency of growth in nursery pigs. ( Schinckel et al, 1996)
Period: 12-23 days of age.

Mean	Control	Moderate	Intense	Probability
ADG, g/d	222	172	195	0.04
Feed intake, g/d	290	222	245	0.05
Feed conversion	1.3	1.28	1.27	0.98

 

High Vitamin E and selenium: 

• Vitamin E and selenium are closely linked and important nutrients as biological antioxidants. They also have important roles in the support of the immune response and disease resistance.
• There is little transfer of vitamin E from the maternal circulation to the placenta and the piglet in utero.
  The piglet must rely on sow colostrum and milk to improve levels. Serum vitamin E level decreases rapidly after weaning.
• High levels of Vitamin E and selenium are included in Grober PORLET to better support the young piglet at this critical stage of development and change.
• High levels of Vitamin E may increase the immune response (Ellis and Vorhies, 1976; Tiege, 1977; Wuryastati et al, 1993; and others.)  
   

 All of these factors can only be successful in an early-weaning nursery system when adequate and correct feed intake is provided. 

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