Rattlerow Farms Ltd.,UK
Feed additive for piglets lowers mortality

Rattlerow Farms Ltd, one of the leading farming businesses in Europe, has introduced Chr. Hansen’s direct fed microbial BioPlus® 2B in their production after a series of trials.

Project background

“We are always on the look-out for new and effective products in our business. But there are so many products out there that it can be difficult to get an overview,” comments Robin Brice, Production Director at Rattlerow Farms Ltd.  “Chr. Hansen obviously has an excellent reputation and they marketed their product very well.”

With this in mind, when Chr. Hansen approached Rattlerow to carry out trials for BioPlus 2B Chr. Hansen’s probiotic feed additive they were keen to be involved.

“We were looking for companies within the industry that would be interested in testing innovative products” David Seale, Sales Manager at Chr. Hansen for Animal Health in northern and eastern Europe, explains. “Rattlerow is a very well-respected company in the pig industry and therefore an obvious choice.”

Trial results

Two sets of extensive trials were carried out and in all cases the pigs fed with BioPlus 2B showed a satisfying increase in live weight and the mortality rate and need for costly prescription medicine was greatly reduced. In total, the cost per kilogram live weight with probiotic treatment in the feed was reduced by appr. 5% compared to untreated feed.

"The results from the trials were more than just a coincidence. As well as improving live weight gain, the product also has other benefits," says Robin.

The outcome

Rattlerow now uses BioPlus 2B as a matter of routine on a number of their farms and has noticed an improvement, particularly in piglets which receive the benefits of BioPlus 2B early through lactating sows.