F

Australian spray
dried porcine
plasma offers
solutions to
nutritionist and pig
producers
by, Dr Megan V Edwards, Animal Nutrition
Consultant, ACE Livestock Consulting Pty
Ltd, megan@acelive.com.au

pray dried plasma proteins are a

relatively new feed ingredient available
to Australian farmers. Sonac Australia
(Darling Ingredients) is the only company
in Australia currently producing spray
dried plasma proteins from a range of
species including pigs, cattle and sheep
for domestic and export markets. The
introduction of spray dried porcine plasma
to the pig feed industry in Australia has been a huge nutritional
and welfare advantage to the pig industry. Local research trials
conducting across Australia in a range of settings (research
& commercial) have delivered consistent improvements in
performance and health. At generous inclusion rates (3-5%) spray
dried porcine plasma when offered in well-balanced piglet diets
can significantly enhance feed intake and aid in maintaining
gut function, integrity and development (Edwards et al., 2012;
Hernandez et al., 2010).
Digestive development in the immature pig is substrate
driven so nutritional strategies, which enhance and maintain
feed intake, benefit the newly weaned pig by limiting the
negative consequences associated with commercial weaning
practices. Interestingly, the benefits provide by plasma equally
benefit light and heavy pigs (Hernandez et al., 2010), as well as
equally benefiting the progeny of gilts and sows (Edwards et al
2010). Benefits reported from the use of spray dried plasma in
Australian pigs include; improved weight gain, improved feed
intake, improved feed conversion, improve protein metabolism,
improved immunity, reduced mortality and reduced cost of
production. A summary of the published studies using Australian
produced spray dried porcine plasma is shown below in Table 1.
To extract the full value out of spray dried porcine plasma in
the diets of young pigs it is important that plasma is carefully
formulated into balanced piglet diets. This includes formulating
to all 10 essential amino acids and also ensuring the balance
of the branch amino acids (valine, isoleucine and leucine) is
appropriate to maximise feed intake. Some animal proteins
including blood products have an excess of leucine relative to
isoleucine. Blood products can be used generously in pig diets
when the formulation ensures the balance between leucine and
iso-leucine is met and that valine is not limiting (Kerr et al.,
2004). With L-Isoleucine and L-valine now available in the feed
industry nutritionist can use animal proteins and especially blood
products generously with confidence.
Sodium is another important nutrient to monitor when
Table 1. Summary of published weaner trials done using Australian spray dried
porcine plasma.
Author

Duration

Pig details

Inclusion
rate

Performance
response

Brewster
et al., 2015

12 days

26 day old
8.9kg

Edwards et
al., 2012

7 days

28 day old 5.0% SDPP 50% ADG

Medicated
20% ADFI 400ppm CTC
gilt progeny
6.68kg
400ppm
tilmicosin
28 day old 5.0% SDPP 35% ADG
10% ADFI
sow progeny
8.07kg

Hernandez
et al., 2010

7 days

21 day old 5.0% SDPP 112% ADG Non-medicated

42% ADFI
light weaners
27% PUN
4.9kg

2.5% SDPP 12.2% ADG Non-medicated

21 day old 5.0% SDPP 78% ADG

33% ADFI
heavy weaners
27% PUN
6.9kg

52 | June 2016 - Milling and Grain

Control

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formulating piglet diets which
contain animal proteins. Diets
need to be formulated to an
appropriate sodium level (0.200.50% sodium) as well as being
formulated with an appropriate
electrolyte balance (160-240
MeQ/kg). These balances
can generally be achieved by
using a combination of salt
(sodium chloride) and sodium
bicarbonate. Spray dried plasma
products are relatively high in
sodium (2.8-3.4%) compared
to other protein meals, so it is
important that the formulation
considers sodium as a nutrient
and appropriate minimum and
maximum limits are applied.
The optimal level of inclusion
of spray dried porcine plasma
will depend on a range of
production factors including;
weaning age, weaning weight, nursery facility quality, health
status and climate. To benefit from the improved feed intake
obtained from the use of spray dried porcine plasma it is
recommended that the first diet post-weaning contain at least
4 percent spray dried porcine plasma. It is also recommended,
where possible, to use a two phase step down program when
using plasma. For example, if your first diet contains 5 percent
spray dried porcine plasma it is preferable to have 2.0-2.5 percent

spray dried porcine plasma in the second diet post-weaning to

avoid any growth check associated with the withdrawal of plasma
from the diet.
Where possible it is best to use spray dried porcine plasma in
non-medicated feeds. If medication is required it is best if it can
be administered via the drinking water. Some medications appear
to suppress the appetite stimulating mechanisms associated with
the use of spray dried porcine plasma. The combined cost of both

Milling and Grain - June 2016 | 53

BALANCE IS
EVERYTHING!

plasma and medication and any

suppress of appetite stimulation can
negatively affect the economics of
using such products.
There does not appear to be
any other feed ingredients that
have an antagonist relationship
with plasma. This is important as
spray dried porcine plasma can
be used as an effective delivery
method to enhance the intake of
other functional feed ingredients (e.g. nucleotides, beta-glucans,
glutamine, probiotics etc) in the pig.
The value of spray dried porcine plasma in the diets of weaner
pigs needs to be assessed rather than the cost of the spray dried
porcine plasma. New research suggests that the inclusion of
spray dried porcine plasma in the diets of young pigs which are
being vaccinated, can enhance the whole of life immunity and
performance (Pujols et al., 2016). Advantages in nursery exit
weights and numbers will only be capitalised on if good nutrition,
housing and management are maintained throughout the life of
the pig. The use of spray dried porcine plasma should not be
viewed as a silver bullet and can not make up for shortfalls in
poor nutrition, hygiene, health, management and housing.
The use of spray dried porcine plasma also offers nutritionist
an increased level of insurance as they move away from the use
of in-feed antibiotics and therapeutic levels of zinc oxide (e.g.
2200ppm of Zn or 3kg/T of ZnO). Whilst the exact mode of
action is not well understood the inclusion of spray dried porcine
plasma appears to offer temporary immune protection, limiting
the risk of post-weaning diarrohea and enhance the protein
metabolism of the pig. This insurance also allows nutritionists to
optimise formulations to effectively support the function of the
digestive system and the piglets own ability to maintain a low
gastric pH. The removal of feed ingredients like zinc oxide which
have high acid binding capacities from the diet of newly weaned
pig also delivers secondary benefits including the enhanced
activity of acidifiers and pH sensitive enzymes including phytase.
When applied well spray dried porcine plasma is appreciated
by pig producers and their staff as they can visibly see the
improvements in feed intake and appearance of the pigs. One
Australian piggery manager made the comment that it is a
welfare issue not to feed plasma to pigs. As the need for good
nutrition evolves together with the challenges and opportunities
out industry faces, there is a valid and important place for
function feed ingredients, including spray dried porcine plasma
in the diets of young pigs. The new research by Prof. Paul Iji
out of the University of New England also suggests there are
valid reasons (nutritional and economical) to include spray dried
animal proteins in the diets of young poultry also (Beski et al.,
2015).

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