Jaco Raath – SwiNE Nutrition Management
Fertility is one of the most important factors that determine the productivity and profitability of a pig farm. A higher number of live born piglets per litter, a shorter weaning-to-oestrus interval, and a higher farrowing rate are all desirable outcomes that can boost the performance of the herd. However, achieving these goals is not always easy, as there are many challenges and variables that can affect the reproductive efficiency of sows and gilts.
One of the key challenges is the nutritional management of the animals during the inter-weaning phase and before mating. This is a critical period that can have a significant impact on the subsequent reproductive cycle and litter size. During this time, the animals need to recover from the stress of weaning, regain their body condition, and prepare for the next conception. Therefore, they need a balanced and adequate diet that can meet their nutritional requirements and support their reproductive functions.
This is where SupaFlush comes in. SupaFlush is a complementary product that is added to the diet of sows and gilts during the inter-weaning phase and before mating. It is designed to enhance their fertility by providing them with a combination of ingredients that have proven benefits for their reproductive health and performance.
How SupaFlush Works
SupaFlush works by targeting two main aspects of fertility: hormonal regulation and urinary tract health.
Hormonal Regulation
Some of the main ingredients of SupaFlush are minerals that play a vital role in the metabolism of glucose and insulin. Insulin is a hormone that regulates the blood glucose levels and influences the secretion of other hormones, such as gonadotropins, that are involved in the reproductive cycle. By increasing the insulin sensitivity of the cells, these minerals help to maintain a stable and optimal level of insulin in the blood, which in turn stimulates the reproductive hormones that increase both the return-to-oestrus rate after weaning and the number of live born piglets.
In addition, SupaFlush also contains natural compounds that acts as a methyl donor and help to regulate the expression of genes that are related to the reproductive system. These compounds also have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can protect the cells from oxidative stress and inflammation, which are common causes of reduced fertility.
Urinary Tract Health
Another important ingredient of SupaFlush is a special acidification mixture that consists of organic acids. These acids help to lower the pH of the urine, making it more acidic and less favourable for the growth of bacteria and fungi that can cause urinary tract infections. Urinary tract infections are a common problem in sows and gilts, especially around mating, and can lead to reproductive disorders, such as cystitis, pyelonephritis, and endometritis. By preventing and reducing the infection pressure, SupaFlush helps to improve the urinary tract health and reduce the risk of reproductive problems, leading to higher farrowing percentages.
The Benefits of SupaFlush
Recent studies highlighted the positive impact of complementary feeds like SupaFlush in mating barns. Notably, the use of such products has been linked to improvements in birth weight and within-litter variation. These findings underscore the far-reaching benefits of incorporating targeted nutritional interventions for enhanced sow and gilt fertility. These results show that SupaFlush can significantly improve the reproductive performance of sows and gilts, and consequently, the productivity and profitability of the pig farm.
How to Use SupaFlush
SupaFlush is easy to use and can be incorporated into the existing feeding program of the farm. It is recommended to use SupaFlush as follows:
- For sows: Add 500 grams of SupaFlush per sow per day as a top up, starting from the day of weaning until the day of mating.
- For gilts: Add 500 grams of SupaFlush per gilt per day as a top up, starting from 14 days before the expected first mating until the day of mating.
- Include SupaFlush at up to 12.5% in the Flush diet fed to gilts and sows.
SupaFlush can be mixed with the regular feeding regimen or offered separately as a top dressing. It is advisable to ensure that the animals always have free access to clean water.
Conclusion
SupaFlush is a nutritional solution that can help pig farmers to improve the fertility of their sows and gilts, and thereby, increase the number of live born piglets per litter, the farrowing rate, and the birth weight. By providing the animals with a balanced and adequate diet that supports their hormonal regulation and urinary tract health, SupaFlush can enhance their reproductive efficiency and performance during the inter-weaning phase and before mating. SupaFlush is a complementary product that is easy to use and can be integrated into the existing feeding program of the farm. For more information on SupaFlush and how to order it, please contact us at info@swine.co.za or visit our website at www.swine.co.za.
