Feedstuffs Webinar: New Innovation for Closing the Gilt Gap
Webinar Executive Summary
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Key Takeaways
Meet the Speakers
One Reason for the Gilt Gap is Estrus Development
IMPROVEST was Built for the Gilt™
IMPROVEST has Multiple Benefits for Producer and Integrator
View Key Takeaways
Watch the Webinar
Additional Resources
IMPROVEST Implementation Recommendations
The “Gilt Gap” is Real and is Significant
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Sponsored by:
Dr. Ben Bohrer, Assistant Professor, Meat Scientist, The Ohio State University
Dr. Steve Pollmann, Nutritionist and Industry Consultant, DSP Consulting LLC
Moderated by Andy Vance, Director Strategic Accounts, Farm Progress
Featuring:
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Dr. Ben Bohrer summarized findings from a meta-analysis of 30 studies of barrows vs. gilts over the past 20 years. These studies compared barrows and gilts in terms of growth performance, carcass composition, meat quality, profitability, and more. Highlights include:
Key Takeaway
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“We have 52 company restaurants, making us the largest operator of the restaurant brand. So, we are right there next to the franchisee. We know exactly what it takes to run them and what it takes to build them and what the challenges are, be they labor or food or whatever.”
- Scott Deviney, CEO, Chicken Salad Chick
Research Shows Gap Between Barrows and Gilts is $4 to $6
“We’re leaving 6.5 pounds of product on the table when comparing conventionally raised gilts to physically castrated barrows.”
- Dr. Ben Bohrer
In producer economic terms, 6.5 pounds lighter HCW equates to a loss in value of $3.66/gilt compared to barrows. For integrator economics, gilt loss is $5.12/gilt.
Growth performance: Gilts had a 5.9% lower average daily gain (ADG) compared to barrows and an 11.4% lower average daily feed intake (ADFI).
Final body weight variability: There is higher variability among gilts, meaning more lightweight, discounted gilts.
Final body weight: Gilts had a 2.3% lower market weight, which is 6.5 lbs lighter
Gilts Compared to Barrows
“I think this provides a pretty good number for us to use whenever we begin thinking about this gilt gap and the differences from a production standpoint as well as a packaging standpoint. And typically we would arrive at a value between $4 and $6.”
Gilts Compared to Barrows Summary
One of the reasons for the gilt gap is that gilts are experiencing estrus and their ovarian system is beginning to develop. As this occurs, market gilts are putting nutrients toward the development of their reproductive tract which takes nutrients away from growth. As evidence of this, Dr. Steve Pollmann summarized data from three packer evaluations which found that at 25 weeks of age and close to 300 pounds, 52% were showing ovarian activity, which occurs before follicle development and estrus expression. This ovarian activity requires nutrients for the physiological process.
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Estrus Development Among Gilts Takes Nutrients Away from Growth
Comparison illustrating female reproductive tract of market weight gilts, pre-pubertal (left) and cycling (right)
Originally approved for males, in February 2020 IMPROVEST received FDA approval for market gilts. IMPROVEST is approved in 73 countries around the globe and is increasingly being approved for gilts. In males, IMPROVEST suppresses the testicular function. Among females, IMPROVEST temporarily suppresses estrus, ultimately affecting ovarian activity. IMPROVEST:
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In Gilts, IMPROVEST Temporarily Suppresses Estrus
“It’s a fairly reasonable way to get new guests in your restaurant, partly because third-party delivery is bringing them there.”
“It’s a product that, from my standpoint, has tremendous value for our global swine industry.”
- Dr. Steve Pollmann
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: Pregnant women should not administer IMPROVEST. Women of childbearing age should exercise extreme caution when administering this product. Exercise special care to prevent accidental self-injection because of negative effects on reproductive physiology in both men and women. However, there is no risk associated with consuming pork from animals administered this product. Do not use IMPROVEST in male pigs or gilts intended for breeding, or in barrows, cull boars or sows. See full Prescribing Information: https://www.zoetisus.com/improvestpi
Requires a veterinary prescription
Acts like an immunization and is given in two doses (second dose given at least 4 weeks after first dose) via a subcutaneous injection.
Is a protein-based product, but is not a hormone or an antibiotic
Has no regulations globally that restrict pork exports to any market
Both Dr. Pollmann and Dr. Bohrer reviewed research studies that showed benefits of IMPROVEST for gilts across multiple dimensions.
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Among the Biggest Benefits: Increased Weight and Uniformity
“IMPROVEST females had 7.1-pound heavier carcasses compared with conventional gilts, which is roughly a 3% increase in carcass weight.”
“I think it goes without saying that IMPROVEST is as unique of a tool as may exist in the pork industry . . . by suppressing estrus in gilts, we can use this tool to increase carcass weights, improve carcass uniformity, and improve both fat quantity and fat quality.”
Primal quality. Pass rate (for premium markets) should be improved for loins and bellies.
Carcass appearance. Carcasses among gilts receiving IMPROVEST are indistinguishable from gilts that didn’t receive IMPROVEST. Ovaries are smaller among gilts receiving IMPROVEST.
Feed efficiency. No (or minimal) effect
Group uniformity. IMPROVEST females show greater uniformity and consistency of weight than conventional gilts.
Weight gain. Dr. Pollmann shared results from a study showing a 4.2 kg weight gain advantage at day 105 for gilts on IMPROVEST compared to a control group. Dr. Bohrer shared results showing a 3% to 5% average daily weight gain advantage from IMPROVEST compared to conventional gilts.
Dr. Bohrer Summarizing IMPROVEST Performance Benefits
Implementation tips include:
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Proven Tips for Implementing IMPROVEST
“It’s really critical that this marketing window be hit correctly”
Market the gilts receiving IMPROVEST correctly. This means:
Make sure the interval between dose 1 and 2 is 4 to 6 weeks
Can administer in mixed or split-gender pens
1. Looking at 3 to 4 marketing events 2. The first cut at about 28 days after the second dose (for 15%–20% of pigs) 3. All gilts sold by 56 days with a weighted average between 42 and 45 days
Since it is an individual pig treatment, producers can validate IMPROVEST results under commercial conditions using a “nested” design
Use IMPROVEST to minimize summer weight dips, which can often be 5 to 8 lbs.
Dr. Pollmann Discussing IMPROVEST Implementation Tips
Ben Bohrer
Assistant Professor, Meat Scientist The Ohio State University
Dr. Ben Bohrer is an assistant professor of meat science and muscle biology at The Ohio State University. Ben completed his graduate education majoring in animal sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (PhD 2016) and The Ohio State University (MSc 2013). He has authored or co-authored numerous works.
Steve Pollmann
Nutritionist and Industry Consultant DSP Consulting LLC
Dr. Steve Pollmann earned his BS in animal science from Utah State University; MS and PhD in swine nutrition from the University of Nebraska. He’s currently the owner of DSP Consulting LLC after retiring from Murphy-Brown LLC in May 2014. Steve works with clients on product development and swine production improvement.
Andy Vance - Moderator
Director, Strategic Accounts Farm Progress
Patrick Quirk
Vice President & General Manager, Vertiv
Patrick Quirk directs strategy for our global embedded firmware operations and now leads converged systems business. Prior to Vertiv, he served in leadership roles for telecommunications and semiconductor technology companies in the US and Europe.
Speakers
Ben completed his graduate education majoring in animal sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (PhD 2016) and The Ohio State University (MSc 2013). He has authored or co-authored numerous works.
nutrition from the University of Nebraska. He’s currently the owner of DSP Consulting LLC after retiring from Murphy-Brown LLC in May 2014. Steve works with clients on product development and swine production improvement.
Watch the WEbinar
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Producers have known for decades that gilts, which make up about half of market swine production, just don’t perform as consistently as barrows, creating a production gap between gilts and barrows. The launch of IMPROVEST helps close the Gilt Gap by temporarily suppressing estrus in market gilts. It can minimize the differences between gilts and barrows when it comes to weight gain, uniformity, carcass value and economics.
WEbinar
IMPROVEST Launch Article
WHITE PAPER
Download White Paper
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Resources
Zoetis launches IMPROVEST (gonadotropin releasing factor analog-diphtheria toxoid conjugate) 0.2mg/mL for estrus suppression in market gilts.
By temporarily suppressing estrus, IMPROVEST helps close the gilt gap when it comes to weight gain, uniformity, carcassvalue, and economics.
IMPROVEST at a Glance
