Feed preservation for sows
The quality of raw materials is at risk from physical, chemical and especially, microbiological issues, including bacteria, moulds, yeasts and mycotoxins. Controlling the level of feed safety requires an integrated approach, involving checks at each part of the feed supply chain.
How to recognise
Animal feed is always at high risk of contamination from various spoilage and pathogenic microbes such as bacteria, moulds, yeasts and mycotoxins. These microbes not only affect the nutritional quality of feed but may also lead to reduced animal performance. Additionally, microbes such as Salmonella have a public health impact.
The impact on the farmer
Contaminated feed has reduced nutritional value and palatability, which decreases the animal’s intake, leading to diminished performance and health challenges.
Sows and gilts are very sensitive to mycotoxin contamination, which causes reproduction disorders (also known as reproductive mycotoxicosis), primarily from Zearalenone (ZEA). Prolonged cycles or even anestrus can have a direct effect on the reproductive and economic performance of the farm.