Since 2010, United Animal Health's mycotoxin research includes more than 80 animal trials focused on understanding mycotoxins' impact on health and performance.

In a recent study conducted by United Animal Health where 8 corn samples were taken from a single semi-load, vomitoxin variation ranged from 0.45 ppm.

• Within 1 semi load of whole corn:
  • Average Vomitoxin: 0.78 ​ppm​
  • Variation Range: 0.45 – 1.61 (1.16)​ ppm
• Proper sampling technique, including obtaining composite samples, is critical in increasing the accuracy of the toxin profiles of delivered ingredients.
• Mycotoxins can form during storage and risks may elevate due to poor storage conditions.

While even low levels can impact performance, it's not just about mycotoxins. Other factors such as pathogenic fungal species may go undetected.

In a 2020 UAH sow trial:

• Low mycotoxins detected in sow diets
• Visible fungal growth observed in feed bins during trial in re-breeding diets of both control and treatment groups
• Sows fed fungal contaminated feed: 
  • Decreased feed intake during the breeding period
  • Approximately 20 lbs. lower/sow over 10 day post-wean period) 
  • Reduced pregnancy rates compared to sows receiving feed with no visible mold

Fun(GI) Facts!

Aspergillus associated with decreased beneficial bacteria

Increased proportions of Aspergillus in the swine GI tract have been negatively correlated with beneficial SCFA-producing bacteria (Arfken et al., 2019)

Aspergillus associated with sick pigs

In United Animal Health swine surveillance work, rectal swabs from sick pigs show elevated quantities of a fungal marker gene from Aspergillus

On average, for every 1 lb. of additional sow lactation average daily feed intake = 0.19 additional lbs. of wean weight per pig.

United Animal Health's Donald E. Orr Swine Research Farm provides the ability to measure individual sow feed intake using LeeO precision technology.

Since 2018, data collected on over 8,800 litters at United Animal Health research farms has shown improving lactation feed intake improves weaned pig performance.

In this model, litter size was adjusted as a covariate when determining the linear relationship of ADFI on wean weight.

Studies conducted at United Animal Health's research farms on more than 95,000 weaned pigs shows driving lactation performance results in downstream benefits. United Animal Health offers nutrition & specialty products, as well as technical expertise, to improve sow reproductive fitness and wean pig startup.

Evaluating more than 17,000 individual pigs from birth to marketing at United Animal Health research farms has shown that implementing strategies to increase wean weights results in reduced nursery mortality and increased weights at end of nursery and marketing.

Traditional methods of measuring % of sows in heat by day 7 post-weaning hides valuable opportunity. In evaluating more than 47,000 sow records in a Midwestern production system, measuring the distribution of WTFSI by day shows how shifting more sows inside day 5 can positively impact sow reproductive fitness.

When feasible, extending lactation and increasing wean age can be a tool to improve nursery performance. United Animal Health research shows each additional day over 16-days results in a 0.51 lb. increase in average wean weight. Results based on more than 9,830 litters and 126,000 individual pigs evaluated through United Animal Health research farms.

United Animal Health’s Swine Nursery Products are formulated to promote early intake and growth, while providing research-backed novel and proprietary nutritional blends of dairy and protein products, prebiotics, probiotics, botanicals and easily-digestible carbohydrate ingredients to maximize gut health and support natural defenses.

ADDITIONAL TEXT: In 1956, with a degree in Animal Sciences from the University of Illinois, John B. Swisher founded United Feeds in Sheridan, Indiana. Now, United Animal Health employees over 325 people and offers livestock nutrition and health products globally through the United Animal Health or affiliate brands.

United Animal Health evaluates over 70,000 animals on-test annually on through roughly 100 research trials on swine, poultry and ruminants.

Sow Research

• Gestation: 1,000 total spaces
• Lactation: 216 farrowing stalls
• Gilt Development Unit (GDU): 500 spaces

Nursery Research

• 6,000 head capacity

Grow-Finish Research

• 11,000 head capacity

Wean-to-Finish Research

• 4,350 head capacity

Every sow and pig born at the DEO Swine Research Farm is tagged using LeeO: an RFID smart-tagging system that allows for automatic data capture and tracking of the individual animal from birth to harvest without manual data input.

United Animal Health’s individual pig data collection capabilities have been used for:

• 25 large scale sow trials capturing individual pig weights
• 110 nursery trials capturing individual pig weights
• 36 finisher trials capturing individual pig weights

Totaling:

• Over 140,000 pigs individually weighed
• Over 172,700 individual birth weights collected
• Over 133,600 individual wean weights collected

United Animal Health upholds a commitment to biosecurity and the safety of feed deliveries by owning our own fleet of trucks and employing our own drivers.

In 2007, United Animal Health co-founded the Microbial Discovery Group, serving as the United Animal Health’s microbial arm in novel Bacillus-based product development. All Bacillus strains in United Animal Health products are selected from healthy, high performing animals.

The United Animal Health research team samples over 6,000 ingredient samples annually across the United States. Since 2010, United Animal Health has conducted more than 80 animal trials focused on further understanding mycotoxin impact on health & performance.