July 5, 2019
New Study Shows Swine Production May Have More Than $300M
in Untapped Potential in the U.S., More Than €530M
in the EU
The study found an
additional 200 mg dose of injectable iron yields
higher optimal blood hemoglobin at weaning
WATCHUNG, N.J. (July 5, 2019) - Studies have shown that up
to 79% of piglets have less than optimal blood hemoglobin (Hb) at
weaning, which has demonstrated impacts to wean-finish growth rates
of 2,3 kg. per head.
[1]
[2] Pharmacosmos conducted a study using Uniferon®
200 iron supplements that found that a large economic potential
remains untapped by failing to maximize the hemoglobin status of
piglets at weaning, more than $300 million in the U.S.
and €530 million in the EU annually.
[3]
Data from this and previous studies show that a single 200 mg
dose of injectable iron, the common dose used today, is not
sufficient in preventing full-scale and sub-clinical iron
deficiency anaemia in piglets.
"We have found that increasing the dose to 400 mg, given in two
200 mg injections, increases piglets with optimal
hemoglobin at weaning from 21% to 70%," said Jerry Purvis, Director
of Feed Operations at Purvis Farms, North Carolina. "Increased
hemoglobin means larger pigs and a bigger return on investment for
the swine industry."
The economic model used in the study was developed by Chris
Olsen, DVM, M.S., technical services manager at Pharmacosmos. The
model shows by maximizing the hemoglobin status of
piglets at weaning, the ROI increases $2.77 per head,
even after the cost of an additional 200 mg dose of iron at $0.25 a
head. When multiplied by the total number of hogs slaughtered in
the U.S. annually, more than 121.3 million, there was a total ROI
more than $300 million annually. When applied to production in the
EU, the ROI increases €2.08 per head. When multiplied by the number
of hogs slaughtered in the EU annually, 255 million, the total ROI
is more than €530 million.
"The results of an additional 200 mg dose of iron at 12 days of
age showed an increase of 2,3 kg per head," said Olsen. "The
results are significant and there is clear benefit to increasing
the dose given to each piglet from one 200 mg dose to
two 200 mg doses."
The study was conducted on 235 healthy piglets,
with hemoglobin distribution of a herd when given a single 200 mg
dose of Uniferon used as a baseline. The ROI was calculated using
estimates to account for costs of production, product and labor for
administration of a second injection.
For more information, see the complete poster below
[1] Perri A et al. An investigation of iron deficiency and
anaemia in piglets and the effect of iron status at weaning on post
weaning performance. JSHAP. 2016; 24:10 20.
[2] Fredericks L et al. Evaluation of the impact of iron dosage
on post weaning weight gain, and mortality. AASV. 2018;315
About Uniferon
Uniferon is a modern improved iron hydrogenated dextran based on
a natural formula, which is approved for global use:
Uniferon is manufactured without the use of any organic solvents
or cyanide, thus, avoiding trace residues of these impurities.
Pharmacosmos manufactures iron dextran of high quality and unique
purity for customers worldwide. Uniferon is the only injectable
iron brand for piglets approved in the EU, the US and Asia.
About Pharmacosmos
Headquartered in Denmark, Pharmacosmos is a family-owned,
international healthcare company with more than 50 years of
innovation and leadership in iron- and carbohydrate-based
treatments and solutions for human and animal use.
A research-based company, its ongoing R&D programme focuses
on improving the lives of patients with iron deficiency with or
without anaemia. More than 1 billion people live with iron
deficiency anaemia and it is the leading cause of death for an
estimated 180,000 people every year. This makes it one of the
largest global health challenges of our time.
Pharmacosmos has subsidiaries in the Nordics, the UK and the US
and its products are marketed in more than 80 countries across the
world. Its manufacturing facilities are approved, among others, by
the Danish Medicines Agency and the US FDA.