The day at weaning… the longest day in the life of a piglet…

Author: Jørn Madsen

Spray dried porcine plasma (SDPP) is an effective feed ingredient and has over the past months become an expensive helper, but can we replace it with alternative nutritional strategies!

All nutritionists and farmers around the world do their utmost to create and prepare for a robust piglet to be ready for the weaning period. It’s the most critical period for the piglet with an immature immune status, low feed and energy intake, high risk of anemia, changing of both environment and pen-mates!

SDPP is a functional protein source that provides additional benefits beyond basic amino acid supply. A functional protein source is supporting gut health, feed intake, immunity and general resilience during the stressful weaning period.

Why does a functional protein like SDPP matters?

Lots of research through times have proven the functionality of plasma, however in Vilomix we have tested alternatives of functional nutritional packs to find more cost effective ways to ensure similar or better results for less investments.

The key question is no longer whether SDPP as an ingredient work - it does - but whether similar or better results can be achieved using a modern functional protein strategy?

On-farm evaluation with 2,400 piglets

Vilomix has evaluated this thoroughly. Controlled on‑farm evaluations with 2,400 piglets show that a well‑designed functional protein pack can completely replace SDPP while maintaining—or improving—performance, health, and cost‑efficiency.

The test diet contained 5% SDPP vs. and alternative functional protein pack. Protein, energy, SID amino acids were all similar in both diets. The first round of 1,200 piglets was conducted in November and December 2025, and the second round of 1,200 piglets was finalized in February 2026. During the trial DLWG was measured in both groups and feedback from the farmer is that survival rate, use of medication and feaces score was similar in the two groups in both rounds.

Table 1. DLWG of 2,400 pigs, two sections, two rounds and parallel measure

Measured on a weekly base there were no differences between the groups - neither any weaning dip was measured in any of the groups.

Therefore from this practical farm test with 2,400 piglets, we are confident that we can replace SDPP with alternative functional proteins, and obtain the same technical performance with less investment per pig. The price difference between the diet containing SDPP and the alternative protein pack is 95,- DKK/12,75€ per 100 kg complete feed in favor of the diet containing the alternative protein solution.

Conclusion and take-aways

• SDPP deliver real biological benefits - but a well‑formulated functional protein pack can deliver the same functional outcomes more economically
• Replacing SDPP with a functional protein strategy offers equal or improved performance, lower dietary costs, stable supply, and consistent quality.

If you would find this of interest due to your own pig production, we in Vilomix are always available for you to look into your current nutritional program and provide you with solid solutions to support your piglets feed intake and gut health in the longest day at the piglets life with an economic advantage.