Six months ago ForFarmers launched their new range of Sow Feeds, NOVA, which is underpinned by a range of nutritional innovations.
The NOVA diet range is composed of several diets, each balanced to ensure the sow receives the correct level of energy dependent on its feed intake. “By matching the diets to the sow’s individual feed intake we can ensure that her nutritional requirements are fully met and optimum performance achieved.
If feed intake is likely to be reduced by increasing temperatures, consideration should be given to moving through the NOVA range to a more nutrient dense diet. Feeding a specific lactation diet can help ensure the sow is able to maximise milk production and hence piglet growth.” says Charlotte Evans, ForFarmers new National Technical Advisor for pigs.
While fibre has always been a component in pig diets, it is only recently that ForFarmers has differentiated the different types of fibre and have clarified their uses in pig diets. “We are now able to formulate diets based on the parameters which describe the value of fibre to the pig” comments Miss Evans.
“ForFarmers have fully adopted key fibre sources as integral parts of its entire pig feed range. We apply both ‘structural’ and ‘microbial’ fibres in the diets. Structural fibres are known to help with more continuous absorption of nutrients, meaning more constant blood glucose level, while microbial fibre helps develop the structure of the gut which increases feed intake in the lactation period due to the increased size and capacity of the gastro-intestinal tract” concludes Steve Wilson, Pig Nutritionist.