IFAJ 45^th Annual Congress 8-13 September 2001, Savonlinna, Finland

Non-Antibiotic Feed Programme for Pig Production

Timo Lehtimäki

Product Group Director

Suomen Rehu Oy

Feed antibiotics have been widely used in pig production since their limited ban in 1999. Their primary effect has been the prevention of diseases (esp. diarrhoea), improved feed utilisation and growth rate, with the final result being an improved farm economy. Positive results are based mainly on preventing the growth of harmful bacteria in the pig's intestines and improved animal health.

Consumer demands and environmentally-friendly values place great pressure on the foodstuffs industry to provide cleaner and healthier meat production throughout the EU. Fear of the development of antibiotic resistance microbe strains and possible antibiotic residues were the main reasons for the 1999 ban on most antibiotics in pig feeds. In Finland it was unanimously agreed that pig meat be produced without any antibiotics, even though some are still permitted for use in the EU. Suomen Rehu Ltd. phased out the use of antibiotics over the period 1993-1999, while developing its own antibiotic-free feeding programme.

The focus of my presentation is on the programme for weaning and the period directly after, as this is the most critical breeding period for pigs. Weaning diarrhoea results in a poor growth rate after weaning, and even throughout the entire life of the animal. Diarrhoea means poor feed utilisation, and often results in a higher mortality rate. These factors lead to losses in production and economy.

Weaning diarrhoea is the result of an imbalance between two basic areas: immunity and the risk level of disease in the weaning environment. Weaning places great stress on piglets, which disrupts the balance in the above-mentioned areas. Uncontrolled microbial growth in the intestine results in diarrhoea.

Weaning diarrhoea is usually caused by growth of the pathogen E. coli in the intestines of the piglet. The essential part of diarrhoea development is the attachment of microbes to the surface of the intestinal walls. To prevent diarrhoea, we must be able to restrict this action as effectively as possible. Pigaride Ò is a unique, natural feed raw material that makes this possible. This effective application was developed by Suomen Rehu for the feed industry in response to their need to solve customer problems (weaning diarrhoea). Pigaride Ò has been tested both in vitro and in vivo. Diarrhoea prevention and growth results have been good.

Suomen Rehu's weaning period feed programme was developed to simultaneously boost piglet immunity and reduce the risk of disease throughout the intestinal tract. Pigaride Ò is an essential part of the programme, in addition to the use of liquid acids, enzymes and other influential factors. Product applications which include these features have achieved market success, with both customers and sellers reaping the benefits. Sales figures and positive feedback from farmers demonstrate the effectiveness of the programme.

We discontinued the use of antibiotics in grower feeds at the beginning of 1999. This was made possible by the development work completed at that time and the resulting investment in the factories. At Suomen Rehu Ltd, we began adding liquid formic acid to the grower feeds. Production results at the farm level were as good as for feeds containing growth enhancers (Carbadox). Enzymes are also one part of the programme for growers. In finisher feeds no antibiotic substances have been used since 1995.

The value of feeding programmes can be seen in pig welfare and growth. The excellent growth results of Finnish pigs are based on a good genetic base, low risk of disease and the exceptionally high general health status (due to slaughterhouse welfare programmes). In addition to the primary factors mentioned above, high-quality raw materials and feeds, comprehensive animal care and good health have made it possible to achieve the best possible result, while satisfying the consumer demand for cleaner and healthier food.

Timo Lehtimäki

Product Group Director

Company: Suomen Rehu Oy Ltd.

M.Sc. (Agr.For.)

Age: 43 years

Mr. Lehtimäki is the Product Group Director of Pig Feeds at Suomen Rehu Oy Ltd. in Turku. He has been working in the feed industry since 1987. He worked at Latvia SIA Baltic Feed company in 1996-97.