PSV-10 Evaluation of a Nutritional Feed Supplement (Furst Protect™) on Growth Performance in Nursery Pigs

Abstract

Abstract Furst Protect is a combination of monoglycerides, fatty acids, and phytonutrients. Research has shown that Furst Protect improved growth and reduced mortality in nursery pigs during a multi-viral challenged infection. Thus, the response of Furst Protect was evaluated during the first 21 d of nursery phase. A total of 551 (DNA x DNA 600 sired) weaned, commercial pigs (21 d of age, average 5.58 kg (P = 0.38); 9-10 reps; 29 pigs/pen) were blocked by body weight. There were 2 treatments: standard nursery feed without antibiotics, control (CON); 2) CON + 8 lb per ton of Furst Protect (FP) for 21 d. FANCOM feeding system was used to deliver feed. Pens of pigs were weighed and feed disappearances were recorded on d 0 and 21. Data were used to calculate ADG and ADFI. To simulate commercial practice, pigs were treated with injectable antibiotic if required, and those that did not respond were removed and placed in sick pens. At the end of 21 d, the number of dead (% mortality) and viable pigs (% morbidity) were calculated. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design using the GLM procedure in Minitab with Fisher’s t-test determining differences between treatments. For d 0-21, no differences (P ≥ 0.23) were observed for BW or ADFI. But, pigs were numerically 0.5 kg heavier on the FP. Pigs fed FP tended (P 0.06; 188 g vs 202 g) to have a higher ADG and improved (P 0.02; 0.54 vs 0.58) G:F. No differences were observed for mortality or morbidity; however, the FP treatment had a 62.5% reduction in mortality. Furst Protect is a nutritional feed supplement that improved the growth and helped improve livability during the first 21 d of nursery. More research is needed to evaluate the carryover effects in late nursery and to market.