104 The Danish Perspective to Remove Medicinal Zinc and Reducing the Use of Antibiotics in Swine Production

Abstract

Abstract Diarrhoea in weaners has been commonly controlled by adding medicinal zinc (2500 ppm), but by June 2022 this was no longer allowed. In Denmark, antibiotics are accepted for therapeutic use only and usage is registered on pen level and is monitored by Danish authorities. This increases the risk of post-weaning diarrhoea. SEGES has tested several tools, additives e.g. organic acids, diet composition, raw materials e.g. blood plasma. Lowering the protein level in the diet post-weaning is very efficient, but adversely affects productivity. The latest results show on average that a reduction in protein from 19% to 15% in the weaner diet (6-9kg) results in a 60% reduction in diarrhoea; however, it also leads to a productivity loss of 1-1,5 euro. Reducing the protein level from 19% to 16,5% reduces the frequency of diarrhoea by 30% and the productivity loss by approx. 0,3 euro. A trial testing the possibility for compensation for this loss in the weaner period by adding extra protein and amino acids in the finisher diet (30–115 kg) is running now and preliminary results will be presented. Further results from trials reducing diarrhoea by reducing protein, a new way to calculate ideal protein and amino acid balances as well as results from concept tests with weaners will be presented. Further new results evaluating ideal protein and amino acid balances will be presented.