NOVUS to share new research on swine nutrition strategies improving pig health, performance, and profitability at the 2026 ASAS Midwest Meeting
NOVUS will unveil new research on nutrition strategies designed to support pig health and performance during the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) Midwest Meeting, taking place March 9–12 in Omaha, Nebraska.
The company’s swine research team will present multiple studies addressing some of the most profit‑limiting challenges faced by today’s pork producers, including nursery pig health, survivability, feed efficiency, and mineral utilization.
“These studies show how targeted nutrition strategies can support pigs during periods of stress while also aligning with producer goals for efficiency and survivability,” says Jesus Acosta, Ph.D., NOVUS Global Swine Research Manager. “Sharing this research at ASAS allows us to engage with nutritionists, veterinarians, and producers who are looking for practical, science‑based solutions.”
Research on Protected Benzoic Acid in Nursery Pig Diets
Acosta will present Protected Benzoic Acid Mitigates E. coli F18–Induced Inflammation, Gut Dysbiosis, and Enhances Performance and Health in Commercial Nursery Pigs on March 11.
His two‑part study evaluated the use of NOVUS® PB Feed Solution, a protected source of benzoic acid, in both controlled challenge conditions and commercial production systems.
Part One: E. coli Challenge Study
In the controlled research environment, weaned pigs were challenged with E. coli F18. Pigs receiving protected benzoic acid exhibited: Lower inflammatory response compared with challenged pigs not receiving NOVUS® PB More stable serum inflammatory markers over time. A shift in the intestinal microbiome toward beneficial butyric‑acid‑producing bacteria A significant reduction in E. coli, indicating improved microbial balance during post‑challenge recovery.
These findings highlight the role of protected benzoic acid in maintaining gut integrity and resilience during early‑life health challenges.
Part Two: Commercial Nursery Performance
The second study assessed the same supplementation strategy in a commercial nursery setting where pigs also received pharmacological zinc oxide and in‑feed antibiotics. Over a 42‑day nursery period, pigs fed NOVUS® PB demonstrated:
- Higher final body weight
- Improved feed conversion
- Lower removal rates during the study period
Collectively, these results strengthen the evidence that protected benzoic acid can support both health and performance in commercial pig production systems.
Trace Mineral Research: Impact of Mineral Source on Growth and Profitability
On March 9, NOVUS Global Swine Lead Bradley V. Lawrence, Ph.D., will present Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Bis‑chelated Minerals Enhance Growth Rate, Closeout Feed Conversion and Total Pork Sold to Primary Markets. This research, conducted in collaboration with NutriQuest, highlights how mineral source—not just total mineral inclusion—significantly impacts growth performance, health outcomes, and economic return in growing pigs.
“These results demonstrate that source of trace mineral matters more than total level,” says Lawrence. “More is not necessarily better, depending on the source. The data show this clearly with respect to the benefits of providing growing‑finishing pigs fed methionine hydroxy analogue bis‑chelates (as MINTREX® Bis‑Chelated Trace Minerals). The results show benefits in growth and pounds of pork going to a primary market, which ultimately result in improved profitability.”
Sow Nutrition Research from South Dakota State University
Rounding out NOVUS’s contributions to the ASAS Midwest program, Katlyn McClellan, a graduate research assistant at South Dakota State University, will deliver a two‑part presentation on sow nutrition featuring bis‑chelated trace minerals from NOVUS on March 9 –
- Feeding the Prolific Sow for Success, Part I: Late‑gestation Phase Feeding Improves Maternal and Progeny Micronutrient Status and Piglet Viability in Prolific Sows Immediately following – Feeding the Prolific Sow for Success,
- Part II: Late‑gestation Phase Feeding Across Multiple Cycles Enhances Prolificacy.
Acosta says NOVUS’s involvement in this work reflects the evolving nutritional needs of today’s highly prolific sows.
“We recognize that modern, highly prolific sows require a higher plane of nutrition during late gestation, a period marked by exponential fetal growth and profound metabolic, endocrine, and hematological changes,” he explains. “Our involvement was driven by the need to better align nutrient supply—particularly from highly bioavailable organic trace mineral sources such as MINTREX®—with these rapidly escalating physiological demands.”
McClellan’s research shows that targeted late‑gestation nutrition can:
- Improve farrowing efficiency
- Enhance piglet survivability
- Increase maternal micronutrient status
- Support subsequent reproductive performance
The findings suggest that traditional gestation feeding programs may undersupply modern sows during this critical period, and that trace mineral bioavailability plays a key role in maternal and litter outcomes.