Performance benefits through early xylanase application demonstrated in new video

The latest video in the AB Vista ‘Extraordinary Science Brought to Life’ series reveals significant benefits for swine through early xylanase application.

The video, entitled 'Achieving consistent gains through xylanase application in swine' is presented by Dr Pete Wilcock, Global Technical Manager at AB Vista. It highlights the potential for a 6 point improvement in weight corrected Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) as a result of xylanase application.

Dr Wilcock discusses the potential mechanisms for xylanase to deliver FCR improvements and reveals trial data that shows the ability of a xylanase to produce xylo-oligomers (AXOS) through the breakdown of long-chain arabinoxylans.

“These AXOS are fermented by the micro flora in the lower and hind gut of the animal, and this can increase the production of Volatile Fatty Acids (VFAs) by 22%,” says Dr Wilcock. “The VFAs produced can be used as an energy source in older animals and can play a role in bacterial control as well as butyrate production being associated with improved epithelial integrity.”

For maximum returns, xylanase should be fed early in the nursing period, as this will ensure a dramatic improvement in FCR in late finishers, and can result in considerable cost savings due to a reduced amount of feed intake.

“Not all xylanases produce the optimum AXOS profile. Producing an effective AXOS profile is dependent on the dose and characteristics of the xylanase used,” explains Dr Wilcock. “With the right characteristics and production of AXOS, the potential performance benefits of xylanase can be significant.”

Dr Wilcock stresses that to optimise performance benefits in animals, a high quality xylanase should be used that is active in the animal; it should therefore be thermostable, gastro stable and assayable.