Effect of a New Montmorillonite-Based Feed Additive on the Production Performance of Newly Weaned Piglets

Weaning is the most stressful time period in a pig’s life. NeoPrime, a new feed additive product, was formulated with Ca-montmorillonite, yeast, and amino acids by Amlan International (Chicago, IL) to protect weaned pigs against bacterial toxins in the intestine, strength their enterocyte development, and activate the gut-associated immune response. This study was conducted to determine if there is any beneficial or detrimental effects of dietary NeoPrime supplementation on the fecal consistency, health status, and growth performance of weaned pigs raised in a university research facility. Forty crossbred barrows (18 to 21 days of age) housed in 20 pens (2 pigs/pen) were randomly allotted to 2 dietary treatments (10 pens/treatment). A control (Ctrl) diet was prepared with a commercial base mix (i.e., Show Sector 1 Crumble) according to the manufacturer’s instructions (Sunglo Feeds, Lewisburg, OH), whereas the NeoPrime (NeoP) diet was prepared by adding NeoPrime powder to the Ctrl diet at a ratio of 0.15%. During the 5 week feeding trial, pigs had ad libitum access to their respective diets and fresh water. Pigs’ BW and feed intake were measured weekly after the initiation of the trial, and ADG, ADFI, and G:F ratio were calculated for each week as well as the overall treatment period. The health status and fecal consistency of the pigs were measured daily according to our previously reported scale systems. For health, 1 = healthy (normal); 2 = rough hair coat, reduced activity, and decreased appetite; 3 = lethargic, not eating, indifferent to surroundings; 4 = extremely lethargic and recumbent; 5 = death. For fecal consistency, 1 = solid (normal); 2 = soft, pasty, and unformed; 3 = diarrheic; 4 = watery diarrheic. Data were analyzed using Student’s T-test. There were no differences in the BW, ADG, AFDI, fecal consistency, and health status of the pigs between the two treatment groups during Week 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or the overall period (P > 0.10). Although not statistically different (P = 0.14), numerically the G:F ratios of the NeoP pigs were consistently higher than that of the Ctrl pigs every week after Week 1, with an overall 6.7% improvement (0.64 vs. 0.60) for the whole 5 week period. In summary, the NeoPrime product used in this study exhibited no detrimental effects on the health status and growth performance of newly weaned piglets with no beneficial effects being observed.