Targeted R&D in piglets drives tailored feeding programmes

A deeper understanding of the piglet’s biology and its nutritional needs enables the development of customised feeding programmes. Trouw Nutrition is at the forefront of this and is dedicating a significant part of its research to this area.

Over the years, the global swine industry had to adapt to significant challenges, including disease outbreaks such as African Swine Fever (ASF), tight profit margins, and keeping up with new demands from local governments and/or consumers. These challenges have underscored the importance of prioritising animal health and resilience as the foundation for sustainable, economic, and healthy growth of the sector.

At the same time, genetic advancements have increased litter sizes by 20% compared to 2 decades ago, resulting in a higher proportion of smaller piglets (sometimes up to 25% of the litter). This can impact early-life health and robustness, as larger piglets tend to outcompete smaller ones at the udder, leading to uneven growth rates. Additionally, management practices are evolving, with some producers exploring split-suckling to help the smaller piglets. Lastly, in some countries, the swine sector sees growing pressure to reduce nitrogen excretion and adopt more sustainable resource management practices.