Tonisity Px Compared to Acidifier.
A recent study on a 750-sow farm in Brazil explored the impacts of Tonisity Px on piglet growth and mortality, comparing its performance against an acidifier protocol. The aim was to determine whether administering Tonisity Px could enhance weaning and end-nursery weights while reducing mortality.
Piglets (1246 pigs from 86 litters across 4 batches) received Tonisity Px from days two to eight of life, and for three days before and after weaning (as liquid poured on feed). The results were clear: Tonisity Px provided significant improvements in weight and growth performance. At weaning, piglets that consumed Tonisity Px weighed an average of 6.56 kg, which is 380 g heavier than those in the control group, who averaged 6.18 kg. Additionally, the average daily gain (ADG) in the Tonisity Px group increased by 16 g/day rising from 201 g/day in the control group to 217 g/day.
The benefits continued into the nursery phase. Piglets fed Tonisity Px reached an average weight of 15.5 kg by the end of the nursery stage (52 days of age), outperforming the control group by 1.1 kg, whose average weight was 14.4 kg. This weight advantage reflects a significant increase of 33 g/day in ADG for theTonisity Px group compared to the control group.
Key Findings from the Study
The results of this study underscore the efficacy of Tonisity Px in promoting piglet growth and reducing mortality. Specifically, the study found:
- Improved Weaning and Nursery Weights: Tonisity Px not only increased weaning weights but also facilitated greater weight gain during the nursery phase, demonstrating its potential to enhance piglet health and overall performance
- Reduced Mortality Rates: There was a 60% reduction in nursery mortality in the Tonisity Px group, dropping from 1.5% in the control group to just 0.6%. This led to more piglets reaching market weight, directly benefiting farm productivity and profitability
Discussion
The findings from this study align with similar trials conducted in Europe. A recent study in Belgium demonstrated that Tonisity Px supplementation led to a significant increase of 610 g in nursery weight and an improvement in ADG of 24 g/day, further emphasising its role in supporting growth. This suggests that the nutritional benefits of Tonisity Px go beyond basic hydration or feed supplementation, as its bioactive compounds may contribute to improved nutrient absorption and overall health.
Further trials have consistently shown that Tonisity Px stimulates feed intake both pre- and post-weaning, which supports appetite and gut health. This increase in feed intake translates into stronger growth rates and improved performance metrics, contributing positively to overall profitability.
It’s worth noting that the control group in this study received an acidifier throughout the farrowing period. This suggests that the improvements observed with Tonisity Px may be even more pronounced in the absence of such supplementation, reinforcing its potential as a superior alternative.
Conclusion
In conclusion, implementing Tonisity Px in the farm management represents a strategic opportunity for producers aiming to enhance productivity and profitability. The results in this trial align with other significant studies, such as one conducted in Belgium, which demonstrated a remarkable increase of 610 g in nursery weight and an improvement of 24 g in ADG with Tonisity Px supplementation. This evidence further solidifies Tonisity Px’s position as a key component in optimising swine management practices.
The use of Tonisity Px during the nursery phase led to significant improvements in piglet growth and mortality reduction. Compared to acidifiers, Tonisity Px proved to be a superior solution, providing an impressive return on investment (ROI) for producers. With an ROI of 4.1:1, every 4.06 BRL invested in Px treatment per piglet yields an expected return of 16.56 BRL.
