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NOVUS will present new research highlighting nutrition strategies that support pig health and performance during the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) Midwest meeting. Scientists will share findings that address profit-limiting challenges facing swine producers, including nursery and growing pig health, survivability, and feed efficiency.
“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 NOVUS Global Swine Research Manager Jesus Acosta, Ph.D. “Sharing this research at ASAS allows us to engage with nutritionists, veterinarians, and producers who are looking for practical, science-based solutions.”
Acosta’s presentation focuses on the role of protected benzoic acid in nursery pig diets. The research in two parts evaluated supplementation with NOVUS® PB Feed Solution (a protected source of benzoic acid) under Escherichia coli F18 challenge conditions and in large scale commercial production settings. The objective was to understand how the protected gut health modulator influenced inflammatory markers, microbial populations, and overall pig performance during the critical nursery phase.
NOVUS Global Swine Lead Bradley V. Lawrence, Ph.D., will present work performed with NutriQuest that explores how mineral source, rather than total inclusion rate, matters for growth performance, health outcomes, and economic return in growing pigs. The findings reinforce the importance of selecting mineral sources that are accessible to the animal and aligned with modern production goals.
“When it comes to minerals, more is not necessarily better, depending on the source,” Lawrence says. “The data show this clearly with respect to the benefits of providing growing-finishing pigs fed methionine hydroxy analogue bis-chelates. The results show benefits in growth and pounds of pork going to a primary market, which ultimately result in improved profitability."
- Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Bis-chelated Minerals Enhance Growth Rate, Closeout Feed Conversion and Total Pork Sold to Primary Markets - Lawrence, 4:15 p.m., March 9
- Protected Benzoic Acid Mitigates E. coli F18–Induced Inflammation, Gut Dysbiosis, and Enhances Performance and Health in Commercial Nursery Pigs – Acosta, 12:15 p.m., March 11
Katlyn McClellan, a graduate research assistant at South Dakota State University, will give a two-part presentation on research featuring bis-chelated trace minerals from NOVUS.
- Feeding the Prolific Sow for Success, Part I: Late-gestation Phase Feeding Improves Maternal and Progeny Micronutrient Status and Piglet Viability in Prolific Sows at 11:15 a.m., March 9
- Feeding the Prolific Sow for Success, Part II: Late-gestation Phase Feeding Across Multiple Cycles Enhances Prolificacy at 11:30 a.m., March 9
The ASAS Midwest meeting brings together animal science professionals from across North America to exchange research and applied insights. More information about the event is available at asas.org.
February 26, 2026 - Novus
