Research published in the July 2020 issue of Transboundary and Emerging Diseases stated that feeding Ralco’s Dual Defender™ feed additive prevented clinical signs of disease and mortality in pigs challenged with several viruses including Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv), Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus (PRRSV 174), and Senecavirus A (SVA). The research study was conducted by Dr. Scott Dee, Director of Research for Pipestone Research, LLC.
The role of animal feed as a vehicle for transmission of viral diseases was first identified
during the emergence of PEDv in 2013. 1 Since then, many feed additives have been studied at the laboratory level to mitigate viruses but not at the animal level to show true
performance.
“Our goal in conducting this study was to provide a natural solution for swine producers to
protect their herd from viruses, especially with the latest potential threat of African Swine
Fever,” said Dr. Jessica Fox, Director of Veterinary Services and Biosecurity for Ralco. “Feed
risk mitigation through additives is a new layer of biosecurity that producers can use to
safeguard their feed and defend their herd.”
“This research model was the perfect opportunity to validate our product in a viral feed
challenge setting that mirrored commercial production,” said Dr. Fox.
Research Details
The new research was led by Dr. Dee and supported by Foundation for Food & Agriculture
Research, and Swine Health Information Center. There has never been a project of this
magnitude, with this size and scope, to help producers evaluate products to protect their
herd against potential viral challenges in feed.
The results of the study showed that pigs fed Dual Defender remained free of PRRSV and
SVA infection and clinical signs were not detected. In addition, no clinical signs of PEDv
were observed.
Pigs fed Dual Defender overall had significantly greater average daily gain, significantly
lower clinical signs and infection levels, and numerically lower mortality rates compared to
non-supplemented controls.
“Dual Defender performed extremely well in this research project. It stands out for its
natural approach and low inclusion rate,” concluded Dr. Fox.
Product details
Dual Defender is NEXUS™ formulated with a patent-pending combination of
phytonutrients that are specifically chosen for viral inactivation properties, ability to
support immune system efficiency and capability to shift the intestinal microbial
populations to reduce impact of secondary pathogens.
Ralco pioneered the mainstream use of phytonutrients for animal health and nutrition over
20 years ago. “Our expertise in phytonutrients is what gave us the ability to formulate this
product,” said Dr. Fox. “By using our NEXUS formulation strategy, we were able to match
up the precise phytonutrient properties to support the immune system and reduce the
impact of viral challenges.”
“Ultimately, Dual Defender gives swine producers another tool in their biosecurity
toolbox,” said Dr. Fox. “Now producers can have a natural, safe, easy-to-handle product that they can add to their overall biosecurity program.”
References
1. Dee SA, Niederwerder MC, Edler R, et al. An evaluation of additives for mitigating the risk of virus-contaminated feed using an ice-block challenge model. Transboundary and
Emerging Diseases. 2020;00:1–13. https://doi.org/10.1111/tbed.13749
