ISSUE FOCUS 36 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE May 2022 SEAWEED BENEFITS FOR LIVESTOCK In vivo studies on ruminants, pigs, poultry and rabbits reveal that some seaweeds have the potential to contribute to the protein and energy requirements of livestock, while others contain a number of bioactive compounds, which could be used as prebiotic for enhancing production and health status of both monogastric and ruminant livestock. Marine algae have a demonstrated potential to act as environmentally friendly biocides with no negative side effects and could fulfil the need of alternative and safe supplements to increase health and welfare in livestock. Therefore, seaweeds can be considered as a sustainable alternative for current chemical use. OUR PIG EXAMPLE In a recent field study with 1,200 post-weaning piglets at the farm of the Lavrijsen Agriculture Group in The Netherlands, the seaweed blend supplement for piglets has delivered strong results. During the study period with 0.7% inclusion of the blend in the piglets’ diets, the treated piglets had almost no diarrhoea and were very active, alert and curious as compared to non-treated group which were sedate and shy in comparison. The treatment group appeared to be less prone to disease; they showed better resistance against Greasy pig disease (staphylococcus hyicus), resulting in lower use of antibiotics (and associated costs) and a 25% lower dropout. Furthermore, daily growth (ADG) and food conversion rate (FCR) showed respectively 1% and 2.5 % improvement. Visual inspections from the pig farm manager confirmed the data as the skin shine of the trial piglets reportedly was very obvious in comparison to the control group. The farm owner Roel Lavrijsen, who has been involved as one of the frontrunning believers in the benefits that seaweeds can offer to his farming practices, has been very confident about the success of seaweeds as feed supplement. Having observed the piglet trial results and capitalizing on the benefits he and his farm managers decided to continue using seaweed in the diets of their piglets. We have started implementing and expanding the seaweed inclusion in the diets to the sows and finishers. Furthermore, when applying seaweeds in the diets of finisher pigs, improved quality has also been observed by the slaughter inspector who noticed a remarkable absence of abscesses in the carcasses of the trial pigs. With these multiple applications underway at his farm, he fully embraces the seaweed supplements as a natural, sustainable solution for his pigs with a sounds business case. TSC’s seaweed blends included in animal feed
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