BICAR® Z in the feeding for SWINES
INTRODUCTION
In the last decades, we have observed an improvement of the results of growth and reproduction of the pigs. As a result, new requirements and nutritional recommendations have settled down.
Appetite, which was not a limiting factor in conventional genotype pigs, has been transformed into a determinating factor for the optimization of the growth results for lean genotype pigs used nowadays.
In fact, the growth speed in fattening frequently is limited by the appetite and the level of ingestion of the lactating sows is systematically inferior to its nutritional requirements. Furthermore, to aggravate the problem, these cases of under-nourishment exacerbate when the sanitary state and/or the conditions of lodging are unfavorable, in particular when room temperature is very high.
The low feed intake of hyper-prolific lactating sows and appetite of lean pig genotypes increase difficulties in formulating feeds able to completely satisfy their high nutrient requirements, in particular of main electrolytes (sodium, potassium and chloride). Also, a reduction of dietary protein content was observed nowadays and even though indirectly, this affects dietary electrolyte content too.
In both cases pig performance could be affected, so the dietary electrolyte balance should be adjusted to requirements for each type and physiological state of animals.
USE RECOMMENDATIONS AND DOSES
BICAR® Z (Sodium Bicarbonate – NaHCO3) is a source of electrolytes that supply sodium (Na+) without incorporating chloride (Cl-) as . The HCO3- ion equilibrates the excess of positive ions and contributes to maintain the electroneutrality. On the other hand, BICAR® Z has an important buffering role, so that some digestive pathologies can be avoided.
Our recommendations for stockbreeders are:
To introduce the dEB (see FAQ's) in the formulation matrix. Each raw material has a specific dEB value: the sum up of all EB multiplied by its inclusion percentage provides the total EB of the ration.
To limitate the use of salt until satisfaction of chloride requirements and complete sodium necessities by inclusion of BICAR®Z.
To compare the dEB of the feed ration with the recommended values for an optimal performance and adjust, if necessary, with BICAR®Z.
In general, BICAR® Z inclusion to the feed ration varies from 2.5 to 10 Kg per ton. There is not an specific dose of BICAR® Z, that depends on the different ingredients that compose the diet. For that reason, the recommendations are given in terms of dEB range for each growing step:
Post- weaning piglets (<18kg) => 250-300 mEq/kg
Pre-fattening piglets (18-25kg) => 200-250 mEq/kg
Light fattening pigs (25-100kt) => 250-500 mEq/kg
Sows => 250-300 mEq/kg
BENEFITS
Some of the positive effects of BICAR® Z use in swine’s feeding are:
1.- The prevention of some pathologies of the digestive system
Spit has an important buffer role also for swine, as its funtion is to protect the mucous membrane from the corrosive action of acids.
Nevertheless, when its action is not enough to check the ratio’s acidity, it is necessary to add an ingredient with a buffer power, in order to prevent gastric and esophageal ulceration.
This pathology is very important because it affects the higher part of the stomach and the esophagus, causing gastric reflux, anemia, loss of weight and a reduction of alimentary ingestion, and can affect 10-17% of light fattening pigs and 30% of heavy fattening pigs.
It is also important to underline that a serious gastric disease can negatively affect the animal’s health, causing respiratory problems.
More details are available in the study ' The effect of sodium bicarbonate in feeding of pigs' – PAG 14-18 - Prof. M. Bonsembiante, Prof. G. M. Chiericato, Dr. F. Tagliapietra. UNIVERSITY OF PADOVA.
2.- The prevention of some pathologies of the locomotors apparatus
Another important element in swine breeding is the alteration of the locomotor apparatus. This problem is also called “leg weakness” and causes in the animals a lot of difficulties to stand up, an irregular motor attitude and some inbreeding problems (for males). These diseases have also both a genetic and an alimentary base. Some researches have shown that with an addition of sodium bicarbonate in the swine acid diet it is possible to reduce leg weakness, thanks to its buffer power.
More details are available in the study ' The effect of sodium bicarbonate in feeding of pigs' – PAG 18-20 - Prof. M. Bonsembiante, Prof. G. M. Chiericato, Dr. F. Tagliapietra. UNIVERSITY OF PADOVA.
3.- The improvement on the zootechnical performance of the animal
The dEB (see FAQ’s) regulates different organic functions, such as the hydromineral and acid-base equilibrium, the cellular pH, the osmotic pressure, the enzyme activity and influences to the nutrient utilization of the diet.
When it is adusted to the optimum value, parameters such as daily feed intake, growth rate, conversion ratio and final life weight can be improved. Several authors have demonstrated that there is a positive relation between the productive results and the dEB, because it affects the profitability of the nutrients: ileal digestibility, energy, nitrogen and amino acids retention.
Piglets:
10-12% increase in relative growth rate and final liveweight (up to 1.5kg more).
Animals grow up in a shorter period of time and finish with a higher weight, so they begin the fattening period with a better body condition.
More details are available in the study 'Dietary BICAR®Z and APSACID®supplementation and their effects on piglets'. Dr. Rosil Lizardo. IRTA - RECERCA I TECNOLOGIA AGROALIMENTARIES.
Sows:
Stimulates the appetite of the animal, mainly in hyperprolific genotipes.
Up to 5-10% of feed intake ratio and water consumption.
More milk available for the piglets: up to 10% increase in relative growth rate during lactation and final liveweight at weaning (up to 1kg more).
10-15% reduction in the weight loss after lactation.
Reproductive cycle can be reinitiated in a shorter period of time.
More details are available in the studies 'The influence of dietary electrolytic balance on performance of the lactating sows and their litters'. Dr. Rosil Lizardo. IRTA - RECERCA I TECNOLOGIA AGROALIMENTARIES and 'The effect of sodium bicarbonate in feeding of pigs' - PAG 34-40 - Prof. M. Bonsembiante, Prof. G. M. Chiericato, Dr. F. Tagliapietra. UNIVERSITY OF PADOVA.
Light fattening pigs (30-110 Kg.):
The use of sodium bicarbonate in a percentage of 0.4-1.2% of the feed, has a positive effect on the animal’s alimentary consumption (then on their growth). The production of Hydrochloric Acid and the digestive activity are stable but the diets, usually very acid, ask for the use of a buffer.
In this situation the use of sodium bicarbonate in the indicated proportion leads to:
an increase of the alimentary ingestion and, as a consequence, a bigger growth of the animal.
a reduction of gastric ulcer and weakness of limbs.
More details are available in the study ' The effect of sodium bicarbonate in feeding of pigs' – PAG 24-28 - Prof. M. Bonsembiante, Prof. G. M. Chiericato, Dr. F. Tagliapietra. UNIVERSITY OF PADOVA.
Heavy fattening pigs (30-160 Kg.):
An integration with sodium bicarbonate is recommended into 0,5-1,7%. For this type of animals, pigs are selected on the basis of specific parameters and fed with a particular diet which is usually extremely acid.
In this situation the use of sodium bicarbonate can extend the production cycle which is necessary to achieve a bigger final weight.
More details are available in the study 'The effect of sodium bicarbonate in feeding of pigs' – PAG 28-30 - Prof. M. Bonsembiante, Prof. G. M. Chiericato, Dr. F. Tagliapietra. UNIVERSITY OF PADOVA.
4.- The better quality of swine’s carcass and meat
It is also important to underline the positive effect from the addition of sodium bicarbonate, in the percentage of 1-1,3% , in the water, in the phase shortly before slaughter.
The reason of this suggestion is the improvement both of the meet’s quality and its softness and juiciness, and without changes of spices and color.
More details are available in the studies 'The effect of sodium bicarbonate in feeding of pigs' - PAG 30-40 - Prof. M. Bonsembiante, Prof. G. M. Chiericato, Dr. F. Tagliapietra. UNIVERSITY OF PADOVA and 'The influence of dietary electrolytic balance (dEB) on growth performance, feed efficacy and carcass characteristics of pigs'. Dr. Rosil Lizardo, IRTA - RECERCA I TECNOLOGIA AGROALIMENTARIES.
