Cleandro Pazinato Dias

Panorama brasileiro do bem-estar de suínos

A suinocultura industrial brasileira e representativa em nivel mundial, detendo uma producao de qualidade reconhecida e competitiva, na qual a classifica como quarta maior exportadora, contribuindo expressivamente com o PIB do pais. Por sua vez, o tema bem-estar animal (BEA), que ja se encontra bem estabelecido em importantes paises produtores de suinos, vem ganhando notoriedade nesta cadeia, com consumidores, investidores e empresas alimenticias pressionando a industria brasileira para incrementar estas praticas. Baseado em informacoes da literatura cientifica, atos administrativos, materiais tecnicos e comunicados produzidos pelo setor privado, esta revisao apresenta o cenario brasileiro do bem-estar dos suinos, incluindo informacoes sobre a avaliacao cientifica do BEA, como empresas e consumidores percebem o tema, os atos administrativos e demais iniciativas oficiais, a situacao da transicao do sistema de gestacao em celas para o modelo coletivo e algumas das contribuicoes da pesquisa nacional. O cenario do bem-estar dos suinos no pais e desafiador, mas ha uma mobilizacao e esforcos significativos de toda a cadeia, envolvendo a iniciativa publica e privada, ja com resultados efetivos e praticos, sinalizando que embora o caminho seja laborioso o pais avanca verticalmente nesta questao.

The effect of supplementing sow and piglet diets with different forms of iron

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of chelated iron supplementation on gestating and lactating sows and on their suckling and weaned piglets. Reproductive traits, piglet performance, hematological parameters, and the iron concentrations in colostrum, milk, and stillborn livers were measured. Ninety-six sows were subjected to one of three treatment groups. Group T1 comprised pregnant and lactating sows treated with diets supplemented with inorganic iron (551 mg Fe/kg) and suckling piglets administered 200 mg of injectable iron dextran. Group T2 was the same as T1, except that sows after 84 days of gestation, lactating sows, and suckling piglets were fed a diet supplemented with 150 mg Fe/kg of chelated iron, and suckling piglets were administered injectable iron dextran. Group T3 was the same as T2 but without injectable iron dextran for suckling piglets. During the nursery phase, all of the weaned piglets were penned with their original groups or treatments and received isonutritive and isocaloric feeds. Piglets from the T2 and T3 groups also received an additional 150 mg Fe/kg of chelated iron via their feed. There were no differences among the treatments for reproductive traits or the iron concentrations in the colostrum, milk, or liver. The piglets that did not receive the injectable iron dextran showed the poorest performance during the pre-and post-weaning phases and showed the poorest hematological parameters of the suckling piglets. The chelated iron supplementation is insufficient to meet piglet demand. The iron dextran supply is necessary for suckling and weaned piglets.