Nutrition And Feeding Of Swine

Nutritional and immunological significance of colostrum and milk to the neonatal pigs cannot be over emphasized. However, due to gut closure and nutritional programming effects, time of suckling postnatal and the source of colostrum can influence achievement of adequate systemic immunity. Weaning is stressful transition in the life of pigs which usually culminates in post-weaning growth check. Dietary strategies and numerous additives have been studied as potential replacement of antibiotics growth promoters (AGPs) to address the challenges post-weaning. Pigs do not synthesize enough non-essential amino acids (NEAAs) to maintain their maximum growth and development. Therefore, understanding dietary requirements of NEAA in addition to essential amino acids (EAAs) is paramount. As pigs grow heavier, the composition of growth changes. Similarly, maternal growth rate differs between mature sows and gilts. Phase feeding is a concept that matches nutrient to the growth stage of the pig or physiological stage of the breeding sow to reduce cost and nutrient excretion into the environment.