Enzyme shows potential for reduction in feed costs

Including a feed enzyme in pig diets  has good potential for substantial reductions in costs while maintaining pig performance, suggests a trial.

The research spanning from January to July 2023, independently led by Harper Adams University, revealed how the enzyme is capable of consistently supporting pig performance in both post-weaning and grower-finisher diets.

Conducted across two consecutive batches, each consisting of 216 piglets, split equally into a control group and a group receiving the feed additive, the trial aimed to demonstrate the efficacy of Hemicell XT, especially in diets with reduced energy content.

Energy and protein

Frédéric Vangroenweghe, principal technical advisor for nutritional health at Elanco, said researchers investigated incorporating 133 g/t of Hemicell XT into the ration, with dietary net energy reduced by 40 kcal/kg feed, to show its impact in comparison with the control.

The enzyme is used to break down beta-mannans, a type of polysaccharide found in the cell walls of plants, which are prevalent in many raw materials used in pig diets, and can have a detrimental effect on poerformance.

This means the gut immunity perceives the beta-mannans as foreign invaders, triggering a feed induced immune response, which can be energetically costly and can divert energy away from growth and productivity.

“Incorporating Hemicell XT into the ration helps ensure energy and protein are used for pig growth, rather than being directed to the unnecessary immune response,” explains Dr Vangroenweghe.

“The overall effect of the enzyme on post-weaning pig performance is evident in average weight gain, whereby both the control and treated group reached the same end weights, despite the Hemicell XT group having 40 kcal/kg less energy in their feed.”

The findings could have a significant benefit for pig production. Dr Vangroenweghe says 40 kcal equates to around a £4-5 per tonne net profit including the cost of the enzyme. “Scaled up to 100 pigs, this offers a significant return on investment.”