PSVI-16 Caps C2PG, a Blend of Spice Oleoresins, Can Substitute the Growth Promoting Effect of an Ionophore Feed Premix on Grow-Finish Pigs

Abstract

Abstract Consumer demand is driving the swine industry to review the use of both antibiotic and ionophore-type antimicrobial agents in feed due to concerns of antimicrobial resistance. Additionally, when a feed mill is manufacturing feed for multiple species including those that are sensitive to ionophore contamination or toxicity such as horses, turkeys and game birds, additional vigilance is required which may deter use of ionophore-type antimicrobials in swine feed. Naturally, a large push has been toward the use of phytogenic additives that may also have some antimicrobial benefits. CAPS C2PG (Probiotech International Inc.) is a phytogenic feed additive comprised of a proprietary blend of spice oleoresins. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate CAPS C2PG as an alternative to the ionophore, salinomycin, in grow-finish pigs.Pigs (n = 1056 Improvest injected males) were housed in 48 pens distributed in 4 rooms (12 pens/room) of a compound building fully equipped with an automatic and computerized Gestal Feed system. Each pen (22 pigs/pen, with a starting density of 7.3 ft2/pig) was equipped with a single 2-space Crystal Spring feeder. During grow-finish (98.3 ± 0.6 days), pigs were allotted to three different treatments (16 repetitions/treatment): salinomycin (25 ppm; Sal.), CAPS C2PG (35 ppm; CAPS.), or a combination treatment (25 ppm Sal. + 35ppm CAPS C2PG; Sal. + CAPS.). Growth performances variables were measured with feed intake monitored per pen daily, and ADG assessed every 3 weeks based on pen weight. All dead or culled pigs were weighed upon removal. Data were analyzed by an ANOVA model (Statistix 8.0; Analytical Software, FL) including treatment and pen as fixed and random effects, respectively. Pairwise comparisons were completed with a Chi-square test. Results are presented in Table 1. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in any of the performance parameters measured throughout the grow-finish period. The lack of difference in performance variables of grow-finish pigs consuming Sal. versus CAPS. demonstrates the potential to substitute an antimicrobial ionophore-type with a phytogenic based on a blend of spice oleoresins. The lack of an additive effect of combining Sal. and CAPS. requires further investigation. With current CAD prices, 25 ppm of salinomycin are between CAD 1.75-2.00 per medicated tonne of feed, whereas 35 ppm of CAPS C2PG are about CAD 1.50 per supplemented tonne of feed. Thus, CAPS C2PG may be an economical and consumer-friendly option in grow-finish pig diets compared with salinomycin. Further research is warranted on the use of this product in other phases of pig production.