Seaweed as feed supplement

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Problem

The growth and health of piglets is reduced directly after weaning because of high incidence of diarrhoea.

Solution

Feeding low doses of seaweed to piglets may positively affect gut health and reduce diarrhoea. It will also supply several minerals.

Benefits

Polysaccharides in seaweeds can have antimicrobial, prebiotic or immunomodulatory effects, alleviating negative effects linked to weaning.

Applicability box

Geographical coverage
Coastal regions

Application time
All year

Required time
Time of feeding

Period of impact
Immediate

Equipment
No extra equipment needed for feeding

Best in
Brown seaweeds

Practical Recommendations

Effectivity might differ depending on the seaweed type, harvest season and processing method. Brown and red seaweed species may be better than green (Figure 1).
Several commercial seaweed products can be used, and it is important to ask for documentation of effect before relying on e.g. effect on diarrhoea.
High levels of macro and micro minerals have to be taken into account when composing diets with seaweed.
Many seaweed extracts are available, which may not be suitable for organic production.

Figure 1: Brown seaweed, sugar kelp. Photo: Annette Bruhn

Figure 2: Organic piglets may benefit from seaweed. Photo: Jan Værum Nørgaard

Further information

Reading

Dierick, N., A. Ovyn, and S. De Smet. 2009. Effect of feeding intact brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum on some digestive parameters and on iodine content in edible tissues in pigs. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 89(4):584-594. (Article) doi: 10.1002/jsfa.3480
Gupta, S., and N. Abu-Ghannam. 2011. Bioactive potential and possible health effects of edible brown seaweeds. Trends in Food Science & Technology 22(6):315-326.
Holdt, S. L., and S. Kraan. 2011. Bioactive compounds in seaweed: functional food applications and legislation. Journal of applied phycology 23(3):543-597.
Makkar, H.P.S., Tran, G., Heuzé, V., Giger-Reverdin, S., Lessire, M., Lebas, F., Ankers, P., 2016. Seaweeds forlivestock diets: A review. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. 212, 1–17.
Michiels, J., E. Skrivanova, J. Missotten, A. Ovyn, J. Mrazek, S. De Smet, and N. Dierick. 2012. Intact brown seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) in diets of weaned piglets: effects on performance, gut bacteria and morphology and plasma oxidative status. Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition 96(6):1101-1111.

Weblinks

Check the Organic Farm Knowledge platform for more practical recommendations.

About this practice abstract and OK-Net EcoFeed

Publishers:Aarhus University, AU Foulum, DK8830Tjele,
Phone +45 8715 0000, , https://agro.au.dkResearch Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), CH5070Frick,
Phone +41 62 865 72 72, info.suisse@fibl.org, www.fibl.orgIFOAM Organics Europe, BE1000Brussels,
Phone +32 2 280 12 23, www.organicseurope.bio, www.organicseurope.bio

Authors: Marleen Elise van der Heide and Jan Værum Nørgaard Aarhus University, Denmark

Review: Lindsay Whitstance, Organic Research Centre, UK

Contact: marleen.vanderheide@anis.au.dk

Permalink: https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/37244

OK-Net EcoFeed:

https://orgprints.org/view/projects/OKNetEcoFeed.html

This practice abstract was elaborated in the Organic Knowledge Network on Monogastric Animal Feed project. The project is running from January 2018 to December 2020. The overall aim of OKNet EcoFeed is to help farmers, breeders and the organic feed processing industry in achieving the goal of 100% use of organic and regional feed for monogastrics.

Project website: https://ok-net-ecofeed.eu/

Project partners:

IFOAM Organics Europe (project coordinator), BE; Aarhus University (ICROFS), DK; Organic Research Centre (ORC), UK; Institut Technique de l'Agriculture Biologique (ITAB), FR; Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), CH; Bioland, DE; Associazione Italiana perl'Agricoltura Biologica (AIAB), IT; Donau Soja DS, AT; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE; ECOVALIA, ES; Soil Association, UK.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 773911. This communication only reflects the author’s view. The Research Executive Agency is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information provided. The authors and editors do not assume responsibility or liability for any possible factual inaccuracies or damage resulting from the application of the recommendations in this practice abstract