--- title: "Unlocking the power of Probiotics: success stories from Denmark and Brazil" description: The reality is that probiotics are revolutionizing the way pigs are raised, particularly in Europe. image: https://info.kemin.com/hubfs/Social%20posts_health%20content%20plan_post%2010%20african%20swine%20fever.jpg --- [![Logo Kemin](https://info.kemin.com/hubfs/LLP/Logos/Logo-Kemin.svg) ](https://info.kemin.com/veterinary-nutritionals) Menu # Unlocking the power of Probiotics: success stories from Denmark and Brazil Published on **25-10-2024** - Written by **Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health** - [Pig](https://info.kemin.com/veterinary-nutritionals/blog/tag/pig) - [Management](https://info.kemin.com/veterinary-nutritionals/blog/tag/management) In the dynamic world of animal production, one word is gaining considerable attention: probiotics. While the term may sound more at home in a health food store than a pig farm, probiotics are revolutionizing the way pigs are raised, particularly in Europe. ![KAE_Header banner 1_Pigs_shutterstock_1779914210](https://info.kemin.com/hubfs/KAE_Header%20banner%201_Pigs_shutterstock_1779914210.jpg) ## What are Probiotics? In simpler terms, they're the good bacteria that support digestive health and overall well-being. This means improved resilience to enteric bacterial pathogens, enhanced nutrient absorption, and stronger immune systems for pigs. ## Which actions are the most desirable one? There are different options, such as live yeast or bacteria. Some of them have a wider spectrum than others. We have found that the most successful strategies contained probiotics made of bacteria spores which: - Produce antibacterial metabolites, which break the membrane of the bacteria, causing its death. - Produce molecules which interfere with bacterial communication systems – this is called quorum quenching. - Support the growth of beneficial bacteria – not all bacteria are detrimental! - All in all, improves microbial diversity. ## Danish Experience- Almost 2000 small piglets say yes to an alternative diet: This project aimed to evaluate a brand-new diet for more miniature piglets. This can be interesting for farms that can get two different feeds and feed the bottom 10-15% of the piglets differently. Alternatively, it could be helpful for bigger companies with multiple farms which know the farms that consistently wean lighter piglets, they could use a diet like this one ### **Set up** - 1072 small piglets weaned at 25 days old where selected. - Control group 538 piglets at 4.2 kg - Test group 534 at 4.1 kg - No significant differences in weight at weaning weight - The study was performed by TestPig at the Skjoldborg test station, and diets were formulated by the Danish Pig Advisory Service. - The control group had a diet with 3000ppm of Zinc oxide. - The test group had a diet with lower energy and crude protein level (16.1% CP) and it was supplemented - Encapsulated Organic Acids and Nature Compound 4kg/t - Probiotic**:*** Bacillus sp.* PB6 750g/t - Organic acids via water - Both Groups had 0.5% of Benzoic Acid and Calcium Formate - All piglets were fed either the test or control diet for 14 days post weaning only, after 14 days they were moved to a different room and transition within the first 3 days to the regular diet for the farm. - Feed intake, Average Daily Gain, Feed Conversion Rate, mortality, and treatments were recorded. In addition, the number of days on which 1/3, 2/3, or 3/3 of the pen had diarrhoea was recorded. ### **Results** - There was no significant difference in the days with diarrhoea between the control group and the test group. - Additionally, the test group had a better Feed Conversion rate of 1.51 in the control group vs. 1.4 in the test diet p<0.001. Refer to Table 1 - Although the diet was fed only for 14 days, it had a carry-over effect, reducing the Feed conversion rate significantly, proving that an alternative diet for small piglets is worth it. - To confirm the trial, results were later evaluated in 3 farms with 400, 120 and 250 piglets with similar or better results than the original trial. Table 1 |   |   | **Experimental group** | **P-values** | **LSD** | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | |   | **Day** | **ZnO diet** | **Reformulated diet (FormaXOL + CLOSTAT)** | **Diet** | **BW x diet** | | | **Body weight ** |   |   |   |   |   |   | | Initial body weight (kg/pig)y | 1 | 4.2 (±0.5) | 4.1 (±0.6) | na | na | na | | Intermediary body weight (kg/pig)y | 14 | 6.6 (±0.8) | 6.9 (±0.8) | na | na | na | | Final Body weight (kg/pig)y | 43 | 22.8 (±1.8) | 22.6 (±2.0) | na | na | na | |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | | **1-14 days after weaning** |   |   |   |   |   |   | | ADG (g/d/pig)x | 1-14 | 173 | 198 | 0.13 | 0.007 | 37 | | FI (g/d/pig)x | 1-14 | 265 | 275 | 0.53 | ns | 36 | | **FCRx** | **1-14** | **1.51** | **1.40** | **0.03** | **<0.001** | 0.16 | | **1-43 days after weaning** |   |   |   |   |   |   | | ADG (g/d/pig)x | 1-43 | 427 | 424 | 0.85 | ns |   | | FI (g/d/pig)x | 1-43 | 620 | 599 | 0.32 | ns | 57 | | **FCRx** | **1-43** | **1.44** | **1.38** | **0.03** | **ns** | 80 | ## Brazilian Experience – successfully replacing antibiotic with probiotics in the post weaning phase In collaboration with Federal university of Lavras ### **Set up** - 240 weaned pigs at 23 days old with an average weaning weight of 6.7kg. - 120 piglets were fed the control diet with antibiotics and 120 piglets the treatment diet with Bacillus sp. PB6. |   | Phase | Control | *Bacillus sp.* PB6 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Treatments   | Pre-Starter 1 (24-31days old) | Flavomicin (12 PPM) | 500 g / t | | Pre-Starter 2 (31 to 38 days old) | Flavomicin (12 PPM) | 500 g / t | | | Starter 1 (39 to 45 days old) | Enramicin (12 PPM) | 500 g / t | | | Starter 2 (46 to 72 days old) | Enramicin (12 PPM) | 500 g / t | | |   |   | | | - Piglets were weighed at the end of each phase; feed consumption was monitored. - Diarrhoea was also scored (1 to 5 with 1 being the lowest incidence). ### **Results** - The pre-starter 1 phase is crucial as pigs have just been weaned, and we want them to be eaten as soon as possible. We have noticed a significant increase in average daily gain (ADG, 19% p<0.01), a 12% improvement in feed conversion ratio (FCR) p<0.05, and a higher feed intake 6% more p<0.05. - A summary of the pre started phase 1 can be seen below ![TabelPic](https://info.kemin.com/hs-fs/hubfs/TabelPic.png?width=285&height=178&name=TabelPic.png) - No significant differences were observed throughout the nursery period, which is positive as we can replace an antibiotic therapy option with probiotics. - In addition, the total cost of feeding a piglet with the control diet cost €11.97 and the probiotic alternative 11.85€ (at the time of the trial). Thus, we can save 12 cents per pig in a sustainable way! As the global demand for pork continues to rise, so does the need for sustainable and ethical farming practices. Probiotics offer a promising solution, promoting animal welfare while simultaneously benefiting the bottom line. ## Also interesting [ 12-05-2025 - Written by Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health ##### Kemin, Gold Sponsor of ESPHM 2025 At ESPHM 2025, we highlight innovations to support gut health, boost performance, and reduce antibiotic reliance across all stages of pig production. Read more ](https://info.kemin.com/veterinary-nutritionals/blog/kemin-esphm-2025) [ 20-11-2024 - Written by Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health ##### Colostrum excellence: hyperprolific sows delivering top notch colostrum – superior start for piglets! Utilising beta glucans could be transformative for pig production, used as an immunoadjuvant boosting immunoglobulin content in colostrum and mature milk. Read more ](https://info.kemin.com/veterinary-nutritionals/blog/colostrum-excellence) [ 20-11-2024 - Written by Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health ##### Maximise colostrum quality and vaccinal response with beta glucans: your herd’s ultimate defence! Incorporating an immunomodulator into your finisher herd management strategy offers dual benefits: rapid stabilization and heightened vaccine efficacy, maximizing the value of your investment. Read more ](https://info.kemin.com/veterinary-nutritionals/blog/colostrum-quality-vaccinal-response) [![logo-white](https://info.kemin.com/hs-fs/hubfs/KAE/identity/logos/logo-white.png?width=172&height=54&name=logo-white.png "logo-white")](https://www.kemin.com) - [![](https://info.kemin.com/hubfs/KAE/social/icons/social-icon-facebook-kemintheme.png)](https://www.facebook.com/KeminIndustries) - [![](https://info.kemin.com/hubfs/KAE/social/icons/social-icon-twitter-kemintheme.png)](https://twitter.com/KeminInd) - [![](https://info.kemin.com/hubfs/KAE/social/icons/social-icon-linkedin-kemintheme.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/kemin-industries/?trk=similar-companies_org_image) © Kemin Industries, Inc. and its group of companies 2026 all rights reserved. ® ™ Trademarks of Kemin Industries, Inc., USA Certain statements may not be applicable in all geographical regions. Product labeling and associated claims may differ based upon government requirements. ![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=1491378&fmt=gif)