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Experts on the NOVUS Swine Team will present three posters showcasing innovative strategies to support gut health, growth performance, and survivability in nursery pigs at the 16th International Symposium on Digestive Physiology of Pigs (DPP) this month.
The studies, led by Global Swine Research Manager Jesús Acosta, Ph.D., and Technical Services Manager Alex Hintz, DVM, reinforce NOVUS’ commitment to advancing intelligent nutrition in swine production.
“Feed additives for nursery pigs need a robust mode of action that reliably translates into real-world benefits for customers and nutritionists,” says Hintz. “The trials we’re presenting at DPP demonstrate that these practical results can help to drive pig performance in the field.”
Weaned pigs fed protected benzoic acid showed less occurrence of diarrhea, better performance
In two experiments, Acosta looked at the impact of NOVUS® PB Feed Solution, a fat matrix-protected benzoic acid, and free benzoic acid on weaned pigs challenged with E. coli or raised in commercial conditions. The results demonstrated that both products support growth performance even in diets containing pharmacological levels of zinc oxide. Pigs receiving NOVUS® PB showed fewer incidents of diarrhea along with better feed efficiency, underscoring the solution’s value in supporting gut health in weaned pigs.
How water can support young pig survivability and growth
The second poster features details on ACTIVATE® WD Max Nutritional Feed Acid and the water-administered solution’s effect during the critical post-weaning phase. The study showed significantly better growth performance and exit weights, and fewer incidences of mortality in young pigs supplemented with drinking water containing ACTIVATE® WD Max. This highlights the value of water acidification as a management tool during nursery exit.
Organic acid blend supports pig quality
The third poster shows how the organic acid blend found in ACTIVATE® DA Nutritional Feed Acid supports pigs in commercial conditions supplemented with free benzoic acid and pharmacological levels of zinc oxide. The trial showed ACTIVATE® DA supports improved pig quality at nursery exit. Lower mortality occurrence was also observed.
“The trials we’re showing at DPP, which are only part of our overall R&D activities, demonstrate our broader commitment to intelligent nutrition,” says Acosta. “They support NOVUS’ mission to deliver practical, science-based solutions that help producers improve piglet survivability and performance, especially under commercial challenges.”
The research will be presented during poster sessions on May 21 and May 22 at DPP in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
May 6, 2025 - Novus
