Growing

Geneticists have selected various traits to produce a pig that has a tremendous muscle (lean) gain potential. For example a modern pig gets to 100kg liveweight some 21 to 32 days quicker than 20 years ago. The main effect is on muscle, growth muscle being three times more cost effective to grow than fat.

This change in performance potential has been the subject of continual study and evaluation by Optivite. As a consequence of this, we can design and innovative diet specifications with precise levels and ratios of nutrients to optimise the growing pigs performance. Optivite's Vitamin Mineral Premixes can be individually tailored to suit the specific farm requirements, providing the correct supplementation to balance these progressive diet specifications. Advice on diet specifications, feeding regimes and management is available as part of our customer service package.

The hypothesis that increases in genetic potential explains, in part, the views of many farmers that pigs have become more susceptible to microbial challenges and suffer more from secondary infections such as pneumonia.

The effect of this compromised immunity can lead to:

• Increased mortality from weaning to 30kg liveweight
• Increased days to slaughter
• Poorer feed conversion ratio
• Thicker backfat and lower lean percentage

The incorporation of the Genex Pig products and other antimicrobials such as Salgard and Moldgard are immediate aids to overcoming the microbial challenges allowing the growing pig to perform to its genetic potential.

Optivite's highly potent enzyme products; Optizyme, Wheatzyme and Optimise, are important tools to maximise feed digestibility and can also help in the reduction of the environmental impacts of pig production.

To increase omega-3 fatty acids in growing pigs to ensure the correct balance of fatty acid ratios use Optomega for Pigs omega-3 fatty acid supplement.

Contact Optivite for additional product information, advice on animal husbandry, or help with specific enquiries.