ISSUE FOCUS 32 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE January 2026 Weaning (Start of trial) Body weight (kg) 5.4 Spray-dried porcine plasma (SDP) Enzyme-treated soybean meal (ESBM, HP 300) ESBM shows the same performance as SDP 12.0 10.0 8.0 6.0 4.0 2.0 0.0 5.5 6.3 6.2 10.3 10.4 7 days post-weaning 21 days post-weaning ti-nutritional factor load and high digestibility support piglet performance during weaning. Trials show comparable results between these options (Figure 1). Organic acids in piglet feed also support protein digestion. At weaning, gastric acid production is insufficient, and the stomach pH is often higher than 4.5. Including blends of organic acids best matches piglets’ physiological needs, compensating for low gastric acid production and high pathogen pressure. The use of enzymes, matching anti-nutritional factors in feed ingredients, is a proven nutritional strategy to enhance nutrient utilization and improve post-weaning performance. They also compensate for the immature digestive system of the piglet, which quickly needs to transition to grain-based feeds. • Support the immunity gap: The immunity gap in piglets refers to a transitional period of high susceptibility that occurs when passive immunity from the sow declines before the piglet’s own immune system is fully functional. This gap is a biological challenge around weaning and has major implications for health and performance. In my experience, two strategies work together: on one hand, functional ingredients, such as pro- and prebiotics, organic acids, phytogenics, and immunoglobulins, help to lower the pathogenic pressure; on the other hand, functional proteins (e.g. HP ESBM), vitamins (e.g. vit A and vit E), and minerals (e.g. Cu, Se, Zn) help to build the immune system in the young piglet. • Support gut health: Besides improving digestibility and supporting immunity, it is critical to stabilize the gut microbiota. The use of probiotics, prebiotics, and enzymes shapes microbial composition, activity, and stability by introducing beneficial live microorganisms, providing substrate and the right environment for their growth. EXPECTED OUTCOMES Based on my experience, when we prioritize nutrient availability, protein digestion, immunity, and gut health, we can expect: • Improved growth performance • Lower incidence of post-weaning diarrhea • Better feed efficiency and health in later stages BROODING IN POULTRY IS A CRITICAL PERIOD Why is it critical? Newly hatched poultry has high nutritional demands for organ growth, especially the gastrointestinal tract, which is developing in terms of size, structure, immune response, and microbial population. Additionally, a transition from yolk-based to feed-based nutrition is occurring, immunity is developing, and thermoregulation is absent. Figure 1. Body weight (BW, kg) of pigs fed standard nursery diets without ZnO, with spraydried porcine plasma (SDP) or enzymatically treated soybean meal (ESBM).
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