Alternatives to zinc oxide in pig production.

Abstract

Zinc oxide (ZnO) has been applied for many years in the production of pigs to reduce the number of diarrhoea in weaned piglets. In June 2022, the European Union banned the use of zinc oxide (ZnO) in pig feed. According to scientific reports, the may reason was the accumulation of this microelement in the environment of pig production. It has been shown that frequent application of ZnO can lead to increased antibiotic resistance in pathogenic swine microflora. The main alternatives to ZnO are probiotics, prebiotics, organic acids, essential oils, and liquid feeding systems. Alternatives to ZnO can be successfully used in pig production to reduce the number of diarrhoea among piglets during the postweaning period. Additional reports indicated that bacteriophage supplementation has a positive effect on the health of pigs. The article provides an overview of current ZnO substitutes that can be used in pig farming.