Articles - Nutrition

The withdrawal of ZnO in the EU and the UK, and the pressure to reduce the use of antibiotics, has accelerated the shift to implement alternatives to protect postweaning gut health.

In addition to its role in protein synthesis, tryptophan contributes to the production of serotonin, a molecule that influences appetite and immune system regulation, and niacin production.

We visited the CDPQ, Centre de développement du porc du Québec, a commercial farm that operates under a unique collaborative model focused on research.

Intestinal immunity is a complex system composed of physical barriers, immune cells, receptors, and microbiota.

The key takeaways highlight that environmental microbiomes matter—installing a positive biofilm on surfaces in farm buildings helps maintain a favorable microbial environment in the nursery—while animal gut resilience is equally essential and requires supporting microbial balance, immunity, and the management of oxidative stress to optimize their post-weaning performance.

Sara Mazo and Francisco Ruíz review what could affect the commodities market in 2026... at least based on the information currently available.

The best DanBred sow farms in Denmark have sow mortality as low as 5%, showing that management, including feeding strategies, is the key.

In terms of feed presentation, we look for ingredients that provide not only nutrients but also functionality, with the aim of increasing gastric retention time to facilitate protein hydrolysis, greater contact between food and enzymes, and reducing fermentation of undigested protein in the intestine.

Fats and oils are among the most energy-dense and expensive components in pig diets, yet their digestion and utilization remain complex and often under-optimized.

The grain and oilseed market has taken an unexpected turn in the last 15 days, with volatility and rising prices taking center stage.

There is plenty of evidence that the weight and backfat level of the gilt at first mating is strongly related to her productive life and longevity.

Feed presentation is a complex issue, as it can influence both feed mill performance and animal performance. This article analyzes the main factors related to the presentation of pelleted feed that affect productive performance and welfare during the first days after weaning.

Boosting key performance indicators in swine production requires addressing viral pathogens, which remain a major challenge for swine health, performance, and farm profitability. Emerging strains, such as H1N2#E and devastating diseases like ASF, highlight the urgency for innovative control strategies. C12 monoglycerides represent a promising approach to enhance pigs’ immune defenses and mitigate viral impact.

Vitamins are essential for proper growth and also for ensuring proper function of the nervous system, immune system, reproductive system, bone development, and cell repair. They do not provide energy, and each vitamin performs particular functions that none of the other vitamins can.

With the main genetic lines' rapid improvement in terms of prolificacy, feed conversion ratio, and other production parameters, the reference requirements for vitamins and minerals have become outdated.

A stew of grains with an abundance of ingredients, but seasoned with risks that could sour the overall dish.

Reducing costs in pig feed formulation depends not on a single action, but on the strategic integration of multiple factors: precision in formulation, ingredient selection, use of technologies, and efficient management of the nutrition model and purchasing.

After weaning, endogenous hydrochloric acid production is still limited, which raises stomach pH and compromises pepsin activity, affecting protein digestibility and favoring pathogen growth.

In this installment, we will discover how heat stress affects the digestive tract of pigs.

Chronic inflammation is one of the main challenges in modern pig production, affecting intestinal health, productive performance, and feed efficiency. In light of increasing pressure to reduce antibiotic use, functional nutrition emerges as a key tool.

The good domestic crop contrasts with global uncertainty: currency, geopolitics, and funds continue to drive prices in the short and long term.

Implementing precision feeding through the use of electronic feeders improves sow and piglet performance while providing economic, environmental, and animal welfare benefits.

Digestive diseases in pigs that were previously addressed individually, targeting a single pathogen, now form a digestive disease complex that we must confront from various angles.

One of the major challenges during weaning is post-weaning diarrhea, impacting nearly 25% of piglets in European countries. A promising strategy to boost resilience and help piglets navigate the stress of weaning can be, among others, the use of phytogenics.