Global swine production is changing. Currently, several demands are shaping modern activity and raising the bar of the industry to very high levels. On the one hand, the consumer demands more sustainability, transparency, and good production practices, and on the other, professionals in the field fulfil these requests by investing in technologies, innovation, animal welfare, and development of natural products.
One of this market’s main challenges is the reduction of production costs. And among the factors that most impact this context, feed per kilo of pork produced is one of the major opportunities for differentiation, says Kobe Lanoo, Global Swine Director at Agrifirm. “With this in mind, we developed Ambitine, an innovative natural solution that helps to reduce these costs and increase producers’ profits. The technology’s differential lies in its ability to optimize animals’ natural physiology, without the need to add external agents, such as enzymes, which increase digestibility”, explains Kobe.
Originally developed in the United States by Fortiva, a subsidiary of Land O’Lakes, the product has been very successful in different regions across the globe. This result was possible thanks to a solid partnership and a number of regional tests. “Ambitine is now available globally, promoting significant improvements in production efficiency, from Asia and Europe to, more recently, Latin America”. This combination of Agrifirm’s global experience with the technical expertise of local teams is essential to implement effective antibiotic replacement strategies.
Focus on finishing
Improving cost efficiency is no easy task, especially in the finishing phase, when feed costs are high and feed efficiency of animals so as investment by the producer are generally low. In other words, this stage has a significant economic participation in the production system. “The final phase of pig fattening has a very large impact on the cost of animal production, as it is the stage with the highest feed consumption and the worst feed conversion rates”, points out Kobe. That is where Ambitine can raise the bar for global swine production. The additive provides better feed conversion and efficient end-toend operation. In practice, its advanced formula strengthens gut health, reduces impacts of stress and maximizes profits from global production.
When introduced in productions, Ambitine brings several benefits to the sector. With a positive impact on performance, improved Daily Weigh Gain (DWG) and Feed Conversion (FC) to levels above 4%, it becomes an ally in the finishing phase. “These gains provide a Return on Investment (ROI) above 3.”. From the point of view of animal welfare, the solution contributes to reduce the impacts of stress factors on animals. This means that more nutrients are directed and available for weight gain, resulting in pigs that grow faster.”
Through a more technical lens, Kobe explains that Ambitine® was created to improve the physiological capacity of pigs to cope with stress, taking into account the various factors that are involved in this reaction, such as genetics, feed composition, type and intensity of stress factors, among others. “Therefore, the product has been extensively tested in different environments and situations, allowing precise adjustments in its application, according to specific needs.”. In practice, informs Agrifirm’s Global Swine Director, what really matters is that these technical advances result in more profitable production.
Given the growing international demand for high-quality pork, which requires technological innovations to maintain competitiveness and sustain the industry’s growth, it is necessary to prioritize the final stage of pig production. And with the increasing value of grains, it is of paramount importance that the animal nutrition industry presents technologies that are able to maximize the use of these raw materials.
Sustainability at the core of business
As shared by Mariane Pfeifer, Technical Director at Agrifirm with expertise in innovative nutritional solutions, ensuring a responsible food chain for future generations is an essential part of our DNA. “We firmly believe that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand, benefiting all links in the production chain”. And the Research and Innovation department plays a key role in this process, developing sustainable solutions that meet producers’ needs and add financial value to the business. “We work to ensure a production chain that is environmentally responsible and economically feasible, generating benefits for all parties involved.”
Ambitine® is a great solution for the finishing phase, but the best results are achieved when working with an exclusive nutrition and additives program, which encompasses all production phases.