PSVII-10 - Tonisity PxW Improves Pig Performance to End-nursery

Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of administering Tonisity PxW to pigs for 5 days post-weaning on water intake, weight, mortality and fall-behinds until six weeks post-weaning. Tonisity PxW (Tonisity Inc, St. Joseph, MO) is a water-soluble supplement containing gut-enhancing amino acids and electrolytes. Tonisity PxW was compared to a commercially available electrolyte (named as Electrolyte-B). The study randomly allocated 5665 gilts (8 batches; ~21-day weaning; ~3-hour travel), over an 8-month period on a single USA gilt-multiplication farm. Tonisity PxW was administered at a 0.2%-0.1%-0.1%-0.05%-0.05% concentration on days 1-2-3-4-5 post-weaning. Electrolyte-B was administered as per manufacturer’s instructions (0.2% for 5 days post-weaning). Both treatments were administered ad libitum through the waterlines, with separate water meters for each treatment. Data was collected by treatment for water intake, mortality and fall-behinds, and by pen for weights (weaning, day 14 and day 42 post-weaning; N=430). Mortality and fall-behinds were analysed using Fisher’s test. Weights and water intake were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS. Treatment was a fixed effect. Study day (for water) and weighing day (for weights) were included as repeated-measures. Batch was included as random. Weaning weight was a covariate in the weight analysis. Data are presented as LSM±SEM. P≤0.05 is considered significant. PxW pigs consumed 22% more water on day 1 post-weaning (1.08±0.06 vs 0.89±0.06 L; P=0.04), and 9% more water over 5 days post-weaning (1.34±0.05 vs 1.23 ±0.05 L; P=0.19) than Electrolyte-B pigs. The PxW group had 65% fewer fall-behinds (P < 0.0001) and 17% lower mortality (P=0.28) than the Electrolyte-B group. PxW pigs weighed 300 g more than Electrolyte-B pigs at day 42 post-weaning (21.8±0.18 vs 22.1±0.18 kg; P=0.17). Tonisity PxW resulted in significantly higher water intake in the first 24 hours post-weaning and significantly fewer fall-behinds until day 42 post-weaning compared to Electrolyte-B.