Intestinal Health: Key to livestock performance

In young animals like piglets and calves, intestinal development is crucial during the early weeks of life. At birth, their intestinal tracts are immature and proper management and nutrition are vital for developing cellular structures that are needed for efficient digestion. Healthy villi support optimal nutrient absorption, which impacts growth and overall health throughout the animals’ lives.

Leon Lau
Sales and Marketing Manager
Tonisity International
Mathieu Cortyl
Managing Director
Tonisity International

Intestinal development plays a crucial role in the early growth and long-term productivity of young livestock, such as piglets and calves. Proper nutrition and early gut health management directly impact nutrient absorption, immunity and overall performance, which are essential for farm profitability.

WHY INTESTINAL DEVELOPMENT MATTERS
The intestine is the primary organ for nutrient absorption, which is essential for growth, immunity and overall health. The small intestine contains villi – tiny, finger-like projections that increase the surface area for nutrient uptake. These structures are lined with epithelial cells, which can be damaged by pathogens, toxins or stress, compromising growth and performance.

In young animals like piglets and calves, intestinal development is crucial during the early weeks of life. At birth, their intestinal tracts are immature and proper management and nutrition are vital for developing cellular structures that are needed for efficient digestion. Healthy villi support optimal nutrient absorption, which impacts growth and overall health throughout the animals’ lives.

CONSEQUENCES OF INTESTINAL DAMAGE
Damage to the villi in early life has lasting consequences. Inflammation, infection or poor nutrition can hinder villi growth, reducing nutrient absorption and weakening immune defenses. In gilts, compromised intestinal health may delay optimal weight gain and reduce longevity. Similarly, heifers with intestinal damage may face challenges meeting nutritional demands during pregnancy.

EARLY NUTRITION: THE FOUNDATION FOR A THRIVING GUT
Proper nutrition in both the pre-weaning and post-weaning phases is essential for developing and protecting intestinal health. Both piglets and calves undergo significant dietary transitions during this time, and their gut health can be stressed. In piglets, early nutrition supports gut integrity, promoting better growth and immune function.

For calves, early gut health management helps ensure future milk production. Nutritional strategies that prevent inflammation and foster beneficial gut bacteria are key for long-term productivity and animal well-being.

PROTECTING THE GUT FOR LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE
Healthy villi and intestinal cells are critical for long-term livestock performance. Without proper intestinal health, animals struggle to absorb nutrients necessary for growth and reproduction. Early interventions to support gut health lead to significant long-term benefits for both swine and ruminant systems.

For example, strong gut health benefits sows not only during gestation but throughout their reproductive careers. Likewise, cows with healthy intestines are better equipped to avoid metabolic disorders and maintain milk production over time.

DRIVING PROFITABILITY THROUGH BETTER GUT HEALTH
Maximising growth, improving feed efficiency and supporting reproductive performance depend heavily on intestinal health. Investing in solutions that enhance early gut development can result in healthier animals, reduced medical costs and greater productivity in both meat and milk production.

GUT HEALTH SOLUTIONS FOR YOUNG LIVESTOCK
Using solutions that focus on feeding intestinal cells directly can stimulate growth and improve villi function. By enhancing nutrient absorption, these strategies result in healthier piglets, improved weight gain, and reduced mortality. Similarly, for calves, promoting healthy intestinal development leads to stronger growth and a more efficient transition into milk production.

A producer with 400 monthly calves reported the following success with a solution feeding the intestinal cells directly: “Our calves are now stronger. Previously, we experienced episodes of diarrhea, leading to dehydration and weight issues. By implementing a protocol with this product, starting from the fifth day of life, we noticed healthier calves, faster milk consumption and fewer episodes of illness. It has significantly impacted our herd’s health.”

CONCLUSION
Intestinal health forms the foundation for long-term productivity and profitability in livestock farming. By prioritising gut health early, farmers can ensure better growth, increased feed efficiency and prolonged animal productivity. Investing in intestinal health is not only about improving performance but also about safeguarding.

About Leon Lau
Leon Lau has an impressive academic background, with an MBA from the University of Southern Denmark and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University in Copenhagen.
Lau’s career is marked by various leadership roles across the industry. His previous positions include Business Manager at Hipra Nordics, Head of Sales & Marketing at Salfarm Scandinavia, and Nordic Business Manager for Ruminants at Boehringer-Ingelheim AH. He has been the Sales and Marketing Manager of Tonisity International since August 2024.

About Mathieu Cortyl
Mathieu Cortyl brings 33 years of extensive experience in the feed and feed additives industry, with a career spanning Europe and the Asia-Pacific. His journey began in research and development at Pancosma (1991-1998), where he focused on trials and product development for pigs and cattle. He then transitioned to Even Nutrition Animale in France as a Swine Market Manager (1998-2001). In Singapore in 2001, Cortyl served as Production Director at Biomin (Austria) and subsequently as Asia Pacific Manager for Impextraco (Belgium) and Norel Animal Nutrition (Spain), focusing on regional production and management. From 2014 to 2016, he was Commercial Director for the EMENA region at Kemin, where he led a team of 30 across Western Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Since 2017, Mathieu Cortyl has held the role of Managing Director for Tonisity International across Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Africa, as well as Director at Tonisity China Holding Limited, overseeing distribution networks and business development.