New Thoughts on Nutrition of Newly Weaned Pigs

Nutrition of weanling pigs remains a key topic of interest in pig production because a good start in the post-weaning period is critical in the subsequent growth, development and survival of pigs through to market. The overriding aim of nutritional programmes is to transition pigs from relatively high-cost diets eaten in smaller quantities to less expensive diets that weaner pigs consume in greater quantities, without detriment to the health and welfare of the animals. Nutritional programmes for weanling pigs are still largely based on the inclusion of antimicrobial compounds such as antibiotics and ZnO, however there is some recognition, even in countries where these compounds are still permitted for use, that sentiment is changing and there is a need to search for other products/strategies to enable pigs to handle the post-weaning period.