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Simple Summary: This study reports the results of two studies aiming to determine, under commercial farm conditions, the effects of electronic sow feeders on the production and economic yields of lactating sows. The results indicate remarkable technical and economic outputs compared with traditional feeders due to the weaning of heavier piglets with a lower amount of feed per kg of weaned piglet. Adequate nutritional management in maternities is one of the most challenging aspects of swine production. This study reports the results of two studies aiming to determine, under commercial farm conditions, the effects of precision feeding (electronic sow feeders, ESFs) on the production and economic yields of lactating sows and possible nutritional and metabolic differences when compared to a control group fed with traditional feeders. The first trial showed that sows fed with ESFs weaned heavier piglets than sows fed with traditional feeders. Feed intake during the lactation period was similar in the sows of both groups; consequently, the amount of feed per kg of weaned piglet was lower in the sows fed with ESFs, which is a remarkable economic output. The second trial confirmed these findings and showed that, despite similar feed intakes, the sows fed with ESFs had lower bodyweight losses during the lactation period, but there were no major differences in milk composition or metabolic traits of sows and piglets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oedema disease (OD) in weaned piglets is caused by shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC), which produces the Stx2e toxin. The disease is controlled by early vaccination (for example, with Ecoporc Shiga®). Iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA) and cystoisosporosis are the most common clinical conditions in piglets. These conditions are managed mainly by the intramuscular injection of iron and application of toltrazuril (for example, Forceris®). In the present study, we sought to evaluate any effect on the efficacy of OD vaccination and iron/anticoccidial treatment resulting from a simultaneous application. An evaluation was carried out by measuring the development of neutralising antibodies against the Stx2e toxin, hematinic indices and oocysts shedding. Six litters from Stx2e-antibody-negative sows were included in the study, with 12 piglets in each litter. The piglets were randomly allocated into two groups on their second day of life (DOL): (T1) iron/anticoccidial treatment and vaccine were administered on different days, and (T2) products were administered simultaneously. Blood samples were collected to determine the levels of serum-neutralising antibodies, haemoglobin and haematocrit. Faecal matter was examined for the presence of oocysts of Cystoisospora suis. No differences were found between the two groups in terms of the development of neutralising antibodies. The levels of haemoglobin and haematocrit were lower (p < 0.05 and p = 0.08, respectively) when iron/anticoccidial treatment and vaccine were applied simultaneously but within the optimal range, based on current interpretive criteria for IDA. Oocysts were not detected in the faecal samples from the animals in either group. In conclusion, we found that, under the conditions of our study, the efficacy of OD vaccination and iron/anticoccidial treatment was not affected by the simultaneous use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In this study, we sought to compare the effects of two treatment protocols for the control of iron-deficiency anemia and cystoisosporosis in piglets by studying the behavioral and physiological (stress) reactions in 3-day-old animals. In one protocol, intramuscular injection with a toltrazuril (TZL) and iron-based (gleptoferron) combination product was administered; in the other, the injection of iron was combined with an oral application of TZL. A total of 288 piglets were divided into three sex-balanced groups: 96 piglets in an oral + parenteral group (O + P); 96 piglets in a parenteral group, (P); and 96 untreated animals in a control group. The response of the piglets to manipulation was studied using previously described methodology. Using video recordings, an evaluator assigned scores to indicate flight reactions and both the intensity and frequency of vocalizations in the treated piglets. More intense responses (value 2) were recorded in piglets from the O + P group, indicated by increased reactions to manipulation and flight reactions (p < 0.05). In addition, piglets in the O + P group emitted more screams during administration than animals in the P group (p < 0.05). Differences in growth performance between the treatment and control animals were not observed (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the administration of a combination product reduced stress during administration, as indicated by reduced vocalizations and reactions to manipulation. The aim of the present study was to assess the short-term behavioral and physiological responses of piglets to different treatment protocols for the control of iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) and cystoisosporosis. Piglets were treated with either (1) an injection of iron combined with an oral application of toltrazuril (TLZ) by drenching or (2) a combination injection of TZL + gleptoferron; the behavior of the piglets was then evaluated. For this study, 288 piglets were divided into three experimental groups: 96 piglets were kept untreated (control group); 96 piglets received an oral administration of a generic TZL-based anticoccidial agent (20 mg/kg BW) along with intramuscular administration of iron dextran (200 mg/mL; 1 mL/piglet) at the same handling (oral + parenteral group, O + P); and 96 piglets received an intramuscular application of the combination product (parenteral group, P). For each treated piglet, the total handling time, flight reaction, and the intensity and frequency of vocalizations were determined using the methodology described by Scollo et al. (2020). Piglets in the O + P group were found to emit more screams during treatment administration than animals in the P group (21.05% vs. 8.42% of animals; p < 0.05). Piglets in the O + P group reacted worse to manipulation and oral administration because a higher percentage of animals continued to fidget even after handling (32.63% vs. 12.63%; p < 0.05). Differences in growth performance between the groups were not observed in our study (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the administration of a combination product reduced stress during administration, as indicated by reduced vocalizations and reactions to manipulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Knowing the feed intake pattern during lactation of modern genetic sows is crucial because it allows to anticipate possible problems and maximize their performance. On the other side, electronic feeders permit real-time data to be available for a more accurate evaluation of sow eating behavior. This work aimed to characterize the feed intake patterns of lactating highly prolific sows and determine their effect on reproductive performance. A database of 1,058 registers of feed intake collected from a commercial farm was used to identify five consistent sets of clusters (feeding curves) using machine learning. In the second step, the five feeding curves were characterized into five patterns by high, medium and low feed intake during 0–6 d and 7–28 d of lactation: 1-HH, 2-MH, 3-HM, 4-MM and 5-LL. Results: The mean daily feed intake of all the sows was 6.2 kg (0.06 SEM) across the 5 patterns. As the pattern numbers increased from 1-HH, 2-MH, 3-HM and 4-MM to 5-LL, their mean daily feed intake decreased from 7.6 to 6.9, 6.4, 5.8 and 4.3 (0.06 SEM) kg, respectively (P < 0.01). Sows with Pattern 1-HH tended to have shorter weaning-to-first service interval (P = 0.06) and had a higher farrowing rate than those with Pattern 5-LL (P < 0.01). Furthermore, contrast analysis showed that sows with Patterns 1-HH and 2-MH tended to have more piglets weaned (P = 0.05) and lower preweaning mortality (P = 0.07) than those with Patterns 3-HM and 4-MM. Also, sows with Patterns 1-HH and 3-HM had fewer stillborn piglets and a lower percentage of stillborn piglets and mummies than those with Patterns 2-MH and 4-MM (P < 0.01). Conclusions: This study indicates the importance of reaching Pattern 1-HH by rapidly increasing feed intake during early lactation and high feed intake during late lactation, which is associated with high weaning performance and subsequent reproductive performance of the sows. Also, the current study suggests that Pattern 1-HH is linked to good farrowing with a low percentage of stillborn piglets and mummies. Finally, it is critical for producers to timely identify a problem of sows' eating behavior and to make a prompt decision to intervene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different treatment protocols for the control of iron-deficiency anaemia and coccidiosis, one combination injection versus injection of iron and oral application of toltrazuril, on the general behaviour of piglets. Piglets were divided into three experimental treatment groups: 24 piglets were left untreated; (control group, C); 24 piglets received an oral administration of generic anticoccidial agent (20 mg/kg BW) plus intramuscular administration of iron dextran (200 mg/ml; 1 ml/piglet) in the same handling (oral + parenteral group, O+P) and 24 piglets received an intramuscular application of the combination product (parenteral group, P). As expected, the handling time was higher in the oral + parenteral group than in the parenteral group. Regarding the behaviour of piglets, the time spent suckling after treatment was variable in the control and oral + parenteral groups, while piglets from the parenteral group spent more time suckling, and hence, their time spent resting was decreased. A statistical trend of lower concentration of cortisol was observed in P compared to O+P after processing. Regarding productivity indices, the average daily gain of piglets during lactation and, subsequently, their weaning weight were higher in P compared to O+P, and similar to the control. In conclusion, administering a combination product injection decreases the time of administration compared to individual treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Se presentan los resultados de varios estudios prácticos sobre la efectividad del uso de productos sustitutivos de los antibióticos en la industria porcina. Se nota que la aplicación de los antibióticos para promover el crecimiento del ganado ha sido prohibido por la Unión Europea. Concluye el estudio que los productos estudiados son menos efectivos que los antibióticos en el combate de enfermedades bacterianas.