Effect of slow digestion of feed ingredients

The rate of digestion of nutrients is important as this can positively influence feed intake, and performance of piglets. However, in stressful conditions, such as weaning, the digestion rate of dietary fractions might be slowed down significantly. The (poorly digested) nutrients stay longer in the digestive tract of the animal and spur overgrowth of potential pathogenic bacteria in the large intestine. This in turn can lead to: diarrhoea, performance losses and mortality. With Kinetio, digestion of nutrients and transit time is improved.

Optimal diets for optimal nutrient absorption

Not all nutrient fractions have the same rate of digestion. Kinetio uses degradation kinetics (speed of digestion) to analyse insoluble and soluble dietary protein, starch and fibre in the feedstuffs. This information is then used to provide nutritional recommendations and formulate a piglet diet that supports optimal pre-digestion in the stomach, maximise nutrient absorption in the small intestine and keep the amount of undigested protein in the large intestine as low as possible. Moreover, using nutrient kinetics as part of diet formulation enables pig producers to use their raw materials in a targeted way.

Boosted body weight and reduced feed costs

Kinetio was developed by extensive research (in cooperation with ForFarmers, the biggest compound feed producer in Europe) and through a validation process, including over 12 trials. Studies showed that applying Kinetio in stressful situations, like weaning, results in:

• 25% reduction in diarrhoea,

• 4% improvement in body weight.

In non-challenging situations, piglets that were fed balanced diets, formulated with Kinetio, were 0.8 kg heavier at the end of the nursery period and the farms’ margin over feed cost was decreased by 3.5%. Kinetio’s outcomes show that by looking at the nutrient kinetics, diets can be adjusted and optimised for optimal animal performance during challenging times such as weaning. Healthy animals give better margins for the business and reduce the need for antibiotics. Kinetio is currently being used in Trouw Nutrition’s Milkiwean product range.