Effectiveness of the use of complex feed additive “Gepasorbex” based on active plant components in industrial pig breeding

One of the promising directions in pig feeding technology is the use of functional feed additives based on natural active substances, particularly milk thistle. These additives help stabilize metabolic processes and improve animal productivity. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the complex feed additive “Gepasorbex” and its impact on the productivity of sows and growing pigs under industrial pig production conditions. Experimental research was conducted in two scientific and production trials. The first stage took place at “Tavriyski Svyni” LLC (Kherson region), where the effect of the “Gepasorbex” additive on fattening and meat characteristics of pigs was studied. The productivity of 90 young pigs (Large White × Landrace × “Maxter” boar) was evaluated, divided into three groups of 30 animals each: Group I (control) – basic diet (BD) “Grower”, “Finisher”; Group II (experimental) – BD with 0.15 % of a commercial mycotoxin adsorbent; Group III (experimental) – BD with 0.15 % “Gepasorbex”. The second stage was conducted at the private leasehold enterprise “Victoria” (Mykolaiv region) to evaluate the efficiency of “Gepasorbex” in preventing metabolic disorders and mycotoxicosis, as well as its impact on the reproductive traits of sows. A total of 192 litters (2,798 piglets) were studied over two farrowing cycles (Large White × Landrace × PIC 337 boar). Sows were divided into three groups of 24 animals each: Group I (control) – BD (replacement gilts, non-pregnant, pregnant, and lactating sows); Group II (experimental) – BD with 0.15 % “Gepasorbex”; Group III (experimental) – BD with 0.15 % of a commercial analog. Animal handling procedures in the experiments complied with European standards for farm animal protection and welfare. The scientific and production trials confirmed that the use of the “Gepasorbex” feed additive (0.15 % of feed weight) in sows during the first and second farrowing cycles improved reproductive traits. The evaluation index in Group II was 38.63–44.38 points, in Group III (commercial analog) – 36.78–40.84 points, while in the control group, it was 33.49–39.14 points. The additive reduced the number of non-productive days by 1.71–5.0 days, confirming its technological and economic efficiency. Adding “Gepasorbex” to the sow diet created optimal feeding conditions by neutralizing harmful feed factors. Pig farming remains profitable, and the use of “Gepasorbex” further increases profitability. The highest profitability level (80.68 %) was recorded when the additive was included in the sows' diet. The addition of “Gepasorbex” to compound feeds contaminated with mycotoxins improved pig productivity. Pigs in Groups II and III had higher live weight (+2.3–7.0 kg), better average daily gains (+41.5–68.0 g), reached 100 kg (3–6 days earlier) and 120 kg (6–9.5 days earlier), and showed improved feed conversion (by 0.2–0.54 kg) compared to the control group. The use of “Gepasorbex” improved slaughter performance in Group III: slaughter yield increased by 0.5–4.1 %, carcass length – by 1.0–2.1 cm, loin eye area – by 1.2–3.0 cm², and the weight of the hind third – by 0.5–0.7 kg, while backfat thickness decreased by 4.2–8.2 mm. Reduced fattening duration and lower feed costs in Groups II and III lowered the cost of weight gain. Despite additional expenses (658.38–1009.44 UAH), increased productivity ensured higher net profit: Group II – 6.13–8.01 thousand UAH, Group III – 2.88–5.06 thousand UAH more than the control group. Group III achieved the highest profitability level – 5.06–10.94 % and 2.18–2.93 % higher than Groups I and II, respectively. When selling animals at slaughter weight, profitability increased by 4.08 % and 40.33 % at 100 kg and 120 kg, respectively.