Inclusion Of A Live Yeast To Mixed Cereal Diets Improves Growth Performance Of Nursery Pigs

Abstract As an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters, live yeast supplementation has proven useful in reducing weaning stress and improving health and performance of piglets. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of a high concentrated live yeast product (20 billion CFU/g) supplemented in post-weaning piglet diets without antibiotics. A total of 144 pigs Pietrain × [LW×Landrace] (average initial BW = 8.55 ± 1.5 kg) weaned at 28 days of life were used for a 6-week growth study to determine post-weaning performance. Pigs were assigned to 2 treatments; 0 (Control group; CT) and 1 g of live yeast/kg (Yeast Supplemented group; YS) feed to 12 replicate pens of 6 pigs (3 barrows; 3 gilts). Average daily gain (ADG), feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were evaluated in pre-starter (days 0–14), starter (days 14–42) and in the whole nursery (days 0–42) periods. Data were analysed with ANOVA using PROC MIXED of SAS according to the completely randomized design. The model included initial BW as a covariant. Differences were deemed statistically significant when P ≤ 0.050 using a one tailed t-test. Live yeast supplementation improved ADG in starter (5.8%; P = 0.034) and in the whole nursery periods (7.0%; P = 0.045) compared with the CT group. Consequently, final BW was also higher in supplemented animals than in the CT (4.5%; P = 0.034). Differences in ADG were associated with differences in ADFI, higher in YS than in the CT group, both in starter (6.4%; P = 0.023) and in the whole nursery period (6.5%; P = 0.030). No differences were observed for FCR, mortality rate, and health incidences between dietary treatment groups. Therefore, supplementation of a live yeast to post-weaned piglets improved growth performance, confirming this product as an alternative to reduce antibiotic usage in nursery piglets.