SiMMinTM: on line software tool to simulate copper balance in feeding programs of pigs

Romeo, A.; Durosoy, S.; Dourmad, Jean-Yves

SiMMinTM: on line software tool to simulate copper balance in feeding programs of pigs

2017

Romeo, A. | Durosoy, S. | Dourmad, Jean-Yves

At pharmacological dosage, copper (Cu) can improve growth performance of pigs. Consequently, it is commonlysupplied in excess in piglets diets and Cu levels in animal wastes may exceed maximal authorized Cu value when manure is used as organic fertiliser. Some scientific methods to estimate copper balance in pig farms have been proposed by INRA and can be used by the pig industry. Cu retention in growing pig is calculated based on the difference in Cu body content between the beginning and the end of a defined period. In order to calculate easily the Cu excretion, the software siMMin™ Cu has been developed with the support of INRA, with the following variables: feeding programs on the farm, growth performance and Cu concentrations in each feed. It focuses on the pig growing life, from the weaning to the slaughter. The software siMMin™ Cu enables to simulate changes in each variable compared to the existing situation, and to measure the rate of improvement in the total reduction of Cu excretion in the life of the growing pig. It is intuitive, user-friendly and available on line since December 2016 at www.animine.eu/simmin for all stakeholders involved in pig production. Depending on the level of interest expressed locally, this software should be later available in national languages for major pig producing countries, like it has been realized in German and in Chinese for the Zn application.

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