PSVI-8 - Effect of botanical extracts and calcium gluconate fed during lactation on sow and litter performance

Abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of two levels of botanical extracts and botanical extracts in combination with calcium gluconate on sow and pig performance. A total of 541 sows (average parity 2.6, range 0-8) were used in 9 weekly farrow groups. Sows were housed in individual farrow stalls 5 days prior the expected farrow date where treatments diets were fed until weaning at 21 days post farrowing. Sows were fed a fortified corn, soybean meal, and corn DDGS diet meeting or exceeding NRC 2012 nutrient requirements for lactating sows. The two test ingredients were 1) botanical extracts contained a proprietary formulation of turmeric, capsicum, and black pepper oleoresins (Fytera^® Care, Selko USA, Indianapolis, IN) and 2) calcium gluconate replaced corn in the diet. A general gestation diet void of test ingredients was fed prior to housing and after weaning. Dietary treatments were: 1) basal lactation diet [CON], 2) 150 ppm botanical extracts [150TCB], 3) 200 ppm botanical extracts [200TCB], and 4) 150 botanical extracts and 1000 ppm calcium gluconate [150TCB+CaG]. During lactation, sows were allowed ad libitum access to water and feed. Pigs had unlimited access to sow and water. Pigs were cross-fostered within dietary treatments within 24 h of birth to meet a minimum of 75% and maximum of 2 pigs in excess of functional teats of the sow. Excess pigs were fostered to non-treatment nurse sows. Pig mortalities were recorded daily. Weaned sows were observed for 14 days for estrus detection. Statistical analyses included a two-way ANOVA with fixed effect of dietary treatment, random effect of farrow room, and parity as a covariate. Treatment contrasts were analyzed by Student’s t-test. Sow performance measures did not significantly differ between treatments. Pig mortality was significantly (P< 0.001) reduced for both 150TCB and 200TCB compared to CON and 150TCB+CaG treatments. Other pig performance measures were not significantly affected. However, treatment contrasts showed a higher (P< 0.05) pig wean weight for 200TCB compared to the CON. Analyzing data by parity class of 0, 1-5, 6-8 showed that piglet mortality was affected significantly (P< 0.02) in parities 1-5 and 6-8 but not in parity 0. Pig wean weight tended (P< 0.06) to be affected in parity 0 but not in higher parity sows. Treatment contrasts showed a higher wean weight for pigs on the 150AFP and 150TCB+CaG treatments versus CON. In conclusion, feeding botanical extracts at 150 and 200 ppm decreased pig mortality and the addition of calcium gluconate negated the improvement in mortality.