CeltiCal in pigs

Meike Bouwhuis PhD | xx 2020

Performance Excellence
Improved gastric health & reduced aggression

Marine Mineral Excellence Prevalence of gastric ulcers Gut Excellence Performance Excellence
& tail biting
 How do we drive efficiency and excellence?
What nutritional solutions do we offer for pigs

CeltiCal is a 100% natural animal feed ingredient based on

marine minerals. CeltiCal offers a nutritional solution for
health, behaviour and performance benefits supporting
animal welfare at the same time. CeltiCal offers the following
benefits:
• Improving gut health & reducing gastric ulcers
• Improving performance
• Supporting the immune response
• Supporting animal welfare
• Reducing aggression, better looking & relaxed pigs
• Contributing to agricultural sustainability goals
 Gastric lesions & ulcers
Canibe & Nielsen (2016)

• Studies indicate that up to 60 – 80% of pigs have gastric

inflammation, lesions, ulcerations or scars in their stomach
• In sows, this might be even higher

• Causes are related to Helicobacter infection, particle size and

pelleting of diets, feed availability and other stressors

• Can lead to reductions in performance and sudden mortality

• Pigs probably suffer with (severe) pain

• Increasing problem and potential costs of ulcerations is therefore

very significant

• Mortality usually occurs at 50 – 60kg live weight.

 The incidence of gastric ulcers
Canibe et al. (2016) I Denmark

Introduction

• Erosion and ulceration of the lining of the Gastric lesions

Country Reference
stomach is a common condition in sows and (parakeratosis ; erosions ; ulcers)

growing pigs. Denmark 71% of the pigs Nielsen et al., 2013a

Denmark 86% of the sows Bruun & Vinther, 2014

Sweden 51% of the pigs Karlsson & Cerne, 2010

England 80% of the pigs Swaby & Gregory, 2012

Italy 13% of the pigs Appino et al., 2006

Belgium 90% of the pigs Hellemans et al., 2007a

 Field trial (2004)
Wexford I Ireland

Materials & Method

Response of CeltiCal on stomach ulcers in fattening pigs
• Pre-trial veterinary inspection and recording of severity of
inflammation and ulceration of stomachs at the abattoir
• CeltiCal included in grower/finisher and sow diets via the
mineral premix
• Grower diets to achieve an intake of 20 g/h/d CeltiCal
• Sow diets to achieve an intake of 25 g/h/d CeltiCal
• Trial was conducted on a commercial farm in Wexford Ireland
from August – December 2004
• Pigs were slaughtered at end of finisher period, approx. 100 kg
(5-6 months of age)
• Veterinary inspection and recording on slaughter
 Field trial (2004)
Wexford I Ireland

Normal stomach conditions Severe Inflammation

Courtesy of Pat Kirwan MVB Cert PM and Associates Courtesy of Pat Kirwan MVB Cert PM and Associates
 Field trial (2004)
Wexford I Ireland

Severe Ulceration Severe Ulceration

Courtesy of Pat Kirwan MVB Cert PM and Associates Courtesy of Pat Kirwan MVB Cert PM and Associates
 Field trial (2004)
Wexford I Ireland

Results Gastric inflammation and ulceration

• Hundred stomachs were inspected before start

100%

11%
90%

with CeltiCal. 28% 3% 30%

80%

16%
• 0.5% CeltiCal was included for an 8-week 70%

10%
period, replacing limestone 60%
14%

• After this, hundred stomachs were again

50%

28% 12%

inspected.
40%

69%
30%

• CeltiCal was removed and 12 weeks later, 20%

44%
34%
hundred stomachs were again inspected. 10%

• CeltiCal supports gastric health. 0%

Control before 0.5% CeltiCal Control after

No Inflammation Moderate inflammation Severe inflammation Ulcers
 Kluess et al. (2006)
Schothorst Feed Research I The Netherlands

Materials & Method

Response of CeltiCal on stomach ulcers, aggressive behaviour
and growth performance in growing & finisher pigs
• 200 crossbred pigs, (Dutch Landrace x Scandinavian landrace) x
GY boars
• 100 pigs/ treatment
• 25 kg live weight, 11 weeks of age at start
• Trial duration 16 weeks to finish at ± 112 kg LW
• Concrete floor pens, groups of 10 pigs per pen
• Treatments:
• Control diet
• Control diet + 0.5% CeltiCal
• Limestone was partially replaced for 0.5% CeltiCal
 Kluess et al. (2006)
Schothorst Feed Research I The Netherlands

Gastric inflammation and ulceration

100%

10% 5%
90%

Results 20%
80%

20%
• CeltiCal increased the number of healthy 70%

stomachs from 30 up to 45% and reduced the 60%

30%
numbers of lesions and ulcers. 50%

40%

• CeltiCal supports gastric health.

40%

30%

20%
45%
30%
10%

0%

Control 0.5% CeltiCal

Healthy Hyperkeratose Injuries Ulcers
 Kluess et al. (2006)
Schothorst Feed Research I The Netherlands

Left = healthy stomach and right = stomach with multiple damages (a) Filament-like erosions (b) linear erosions
Source: SFR scoring at the abattoir (c) Broad erosions (d) acute ulcer
 Kluess et al. (2006)
Schothorst Feed Research I The Netherlands

Results

• CeltiCal showed mumerical FCR improvement Control CeltiCal

of 3%
Daily weight gain (g/d) 792 797
• CeltiCal Increased number of healthy stomachs Feed intake (kg/d) 2.26 2.22

• CeltiCal reduced numbers of lesions and ulcers Feed conversion ratio 2.86 2.78
 Steenkamp et al. (2014)
Stellenbosch University I South Africa

Materials & Method

Response of CeltiCal on stomach ulcers, growth performance
and histological parameters of growing & finisher pigs
• 320 crossbred pigs, (Landrace x GW) x Duroc boars
• 80 pigs/ treatment
• 27 kg live weight, 10 weeks of age at start
• Trial duration 8 weeks to finish at 70kg LW
• Concrete floor pens, groups of 8 pigs per pen
• Pelleted diet through 3mm die
• Treatments:
• Control meal diet
• Meal diet + 0.4% CeltiCal
• Control pelleted diet
• Pelleted diet + 0.4% CeltiCal
 Steenkamp et al. (2014)
Stellenbosch University I South Africa

pH digestive tract
6.68
Results 6.36 6.39 6.42 6.33
6.18 6.26 6.2
6.09 6.15
6.03
5.85 5.88
• CeltiCal within feed type significantly 5.78

increased acidity at all points in the digestive 5.23

tract (P <0.05) except for meal diets in the

duodenum.
4.18 4.12

3.71

3.15 3.16

Stomach Duodenum Jejunum Ileum Colon

Pellet Meal Pellet + 0.4% CeltiCal Meal + 0.4% CeltiCal
Steenkamp et al. (2014)
Stellenbosch University I South Africa

Gastric score (%)

64.1
57.1
51.3
49.2
44.7 46.1

35.9
32.1

12.8
9.2
3.8

Normal Discoloured Ulcerated

Pellet Meal Pellet + 0.4% CeltiCal Meal + 0.4% CeltiCal
 Steenkamp et al. (2014)
Stellenbosch University I South Africa

Gastric inflammation and ulceration

4%
100%

9% 13%
90%

Results
80%

32%
49%
• CeltiCal reduced the presence of keratosis and 70%

36%
46%
its seriousness. 60%

50%

40%

30%
64%
57% 51%
20%
45%

10%

0%

Pellet Pellet + 0.5% CeltiCal Meal Meal + 0.5% CeltiCal

Healthy Discoloration Ulcerated
 Steenkamp et al. (2014)
Stellenbosch University I South Africa

Daily weight gain (g) and FCR (kg/kg)

27 – 70 kg LW
1,000 3.00

Results 876
900

844 2.90

762
• CeltiCal improved FCR both in a meal and
800

722
2.80

pelleted diet
700

600
2.78 a
• Also in Kluess et al. (2006), a numerical
2.70

500

improvement of 3% FCR was found 400

2.65 b 2.60

300

2.50

2.52 a
200

2.40

100
2.42 b
0 2.30

Pellet Meal Pellet + 0.4% CeltiCal Meal + 0.4% CeltiCal

 Stomach ulceration
Overall conclusions

Various research projects clearly shows that CeltiCal:

• Increased the acidity of the digestive tract giving a better
environment for enzyme function
• Increased the number of healthy normal stomachs in all trials
• Reduced the occurrence and severity of stomach ulcers,
thereby improving pig health and welfare
 The effects of gastric ulcers

Gastric inflammation & ulceration in its severest form can cause significant
mortality. In its mildest form, pigs are restless & stressed. The following
consequences of gastric inflammation can be observed :
• Further stress, leading to aggressive behaviour, tail, ear & flank biting
• Significant economic losses to the pig farmer
• Subsequent reduced live weight gain (Camerlink et. Al. 2012)
• Down grading of carcasses
• Mortality, especially in observed in pigs between 50 – 60 kg liveweight.

CeltiCal has shown to improve gastric health & reduce

aggression. Resulting in improved animal health & performance
 Performance excellence
Reducing pig aggression and stress

Aggression and behaviour in pigs:

• Caused by discomfort?
• Competition for resources
• Establishing a hierarchy
• Lower body fat is associated with increased aggression
• Reduces animal welfare
 The incidence of tail biting
Literature overview

Introduction
Country Impact of tail biting Reference
• Damage to pigs' tails by pen mates Finland 34.5% of pigs displayed tail lesions Valros et al., 2004
contributes a major loss to the pig industry.
Ireland 72.5% of pigs had detectable tail lesions Harley et al., 2014
Tail biting tends to be seen in a number of
different scenarios ranging from a constant Calculated economic loss value of € 1.69 per study
Ireland Harley et al. (2014)
pig.
low grade problem in a continual
25.2% of pigs had moderate and Van Staaveren et
production unit to explosive outbreaks in Ireland
3.1% severe tail lesions al., 2015
batches. As such, the incidence is highly The
53% in a Dutch abattoir study De Lauwere, 2009
variable. Netherlands
The
95% was observed with tail damage at some stage Zonderland, 2011
Netherlands
Pigs whose tail was bitten, irrespective of the
The severity of wounds, grew less well which Camerlink et al.
Netherlands corresponded to a weight difference of approx. 4 kg (2012)
at the end of the finishing period.
 Kluess et al. (2006)
Schothorst Feed Research I The Netherlands

Results
• No statistical differences between diets at profound injuries (%)
scoring times 20%

19%

• 1st score, P = 0.30 18%

17%

• 2nd score, P = 0.20

16%

• 3rd score, P = 0.09

14%

12%
12%

• Pigs fed CeltiCal had reduced stomach 10%

9% 9%
ulceration, which is associated with stress 8%

5%
• Pigs showed less skin damage from profound
6%

injuries and less total injuries compared to the

4%

control treatment
2%

0%

• Reduced aggression 1st score 2nd score 3rd score

(40 kg BW) (60 kg BW) (90 kg BW)
Control Celtical
 O’Driscoll et al. (2013)
Teagasc I Ireland

Materials & Method

Response of CeltiCal on aggression, skin lesions and salivary cortisol
levels
• 448 crossbred pigs ; 224 pigs/ treatment
• Pigs selected at weaning and back test was performed to see response
• Trial duration 92 days to finish at 60 kg LW
• At day 28 PW, animals were remixed within gender and treatment to
start behavioural observations and salivary cortisol levels of focal pigs
once a week
• 0.5% CeltiCal included at the expense of limestone
• Treatments:
• Control Male
• Control Female
• CeltiCal Male
• CeltiCal Female
 O’Driscoll et al. (2013)
Teagasc I Ireland

Overall results Observed time spent on eating in

seconds per 5 minutes
• Pigs on the CeltiCal treatment showed reduced
aggressive behaviour throughout the experimental
period (P < 0.01) 35.9

• Male pigs mounted up to 3 times less when they

28.4

Time (seconds)
received CeltiCal (P < 0.01)

• Female pigs had fewer lesions around the ears and

shoulders (P<0.01)

• Salivary cortisol levels were reduced over the overall

period (P<0.01) P = 0.08

Control CeltiCal
 O’Driscoll et al. (2013)
Teagasc I Ireland

Overall results Salivary cortisol levels (ng/ml)

• Pigs on the CeltiCal treatment showed reduced

aggressive behaviour throughout the experimental 1.47
period (P < 0.01)

• Male pigs mounted up to 3 times less when they

received CeltiCal (P < 0.01)

(ng/ml)
• Female pigs had fewer lesions around the ears and
shoulders (P<0.01)
1.3
• Salivary cortisol levels were reduced over the overall
period (P<0.01)

Control CeltiCal
 O’Driscoll et al. (2013)
Teagasc I Ireland

Results after stressful events

CeltiCal
(mixing D28 and feed withdrawal 21 hrs D112)

• With CeltiCal pigs lay down faster after mixing ( P = 0.09)

• CeltiCal resulted in reduced salivary cortisol levels during

the mixing event

• CeltiCal reduced the amount of harmful behaviour

during the feed withdrawal period, resulting in less skin
lesions in pigs on the CeltiCal diet
 Performance Excellence
Driving efficiency, delivering profitability

CeltiCal ensures a stable & healthy gut function, driving

efficiency & improving FCR

Efficiency & FCR Research:

• 2006: Schothorst Feed Research | Netherlands
• 2013: University Stellenbosch | South Africa
• 2017: Agroscope | Switzerland
 Schlegel & Gutzwiller (2017)
Agroscope | Switzerland

Materials & Method

Response of CeltiCal on digestibility and production
• 72 newly weaned piglets (± 8 kg; ±28 days)
• Transported to pens with feeding stations measuring
individual intake
• Trial duration: 40 days (0 – 15 and 15 – 40)
• Treatments:
• Calcium based on Limestone or CeltiCal
• Ca levels 1.0 ; 0.7 and 0.4%
• Av. P equal for all treatments (0.40%)
• Phytase levels equal for all treatments (500 FTU)
 Schlegel & Gutzwiller (2017)
Agroscope | Switzerland

Average daily weight gain (g) and FCR

d0 – d41 post-weaning
Results 300 2.00

• Reducing absolute Ca levels to 7 g/kg based

280 1.90

260 1.80

on CeltiCal generated best improvement for

240

1.78 1.70

weight gain and FCR with resp. 13% and 4%. 220
1.73
1.60

1.65
200

1.58 1.60 1.60 1.50

180 1.40

160 1.30

140 1.20

120 1.10

248 213 241 272 260 238

100 1.00

1% Ca - 1% Ca - CeltiCal 0.7% Ca - 0.7% Ca - 0.4% Ca - 0.4% Ca -

limestone limestone CeltiCal limestone CeltiCal
DWG day 0 - 41 FCR
 Performance Excellence
Driving efficiency, delivering profitability

Relative improvement vs. control

(control = 100%)
Results

• All the nutritional solutions CeltiCal has to

offer, ultimately results back into an improved 104% 104%

feed efficiency. 103%

100%

P = 0.08

Control Schothorst Feed University Agroscope

Research Stellenbosch (2017)
(2006) (2013)
 Performance Excellence
What is the impact of 0.06 FCR?

6 FCR pts in WTF pigs is:

• 0.06 x 220 kg of feeds
• Typically produce a pig from wean to finish with 215-250 kg of
feeds
• FCR around 2.2 to 2.6
13 kg of feeds saved per pig

The question: How is this possible?

Marine Mineral Excellence
Unique Honeycomb structure

CeltiCal polymorph structure

12%
Vaterite

23%
Aragonite
65%
Calcite

Microscopic view of CeltiCal

Surface Area 10.67 m2 /g
 Marine Mineral Excellence
Typical Analysis

Parameter Content Physical specification

Ash 95% Color Grey powder Aragonite and Vaterite are polymorphs of Calcite
Moisture <5% Particle size 100% <250 microns
Calcium (Ca) 30% Physical specification Vaterite
Magnesium (Mg) 5.5% Lead < 5 ppm 12%

Sodium (Na) 0.6% Arsenic < 5 ppm

Potassium (K) 0.1% Mercury < 0.1 ppm
Aragonite
Chloride (Cl) 1.0% Cadmium < 2 ppm 23%

Phosphorus (P) 0.05% Fluoride > 500 ppm Calcite

65%
Sulphur (S) 0.7% Bacteriology

Salmonella Absent in 25 g
E. Coli Absent in 1 g
Yeast & Molds Less than 10/g
CeltiCal is derived from calcareous marine algae, and contains a
matrix of 74 trace minerals working together in concert
 Marine Mineral Excellence
How do we drive efficiency and excellence?

CeltiCal is a 100% natural animal feed ingredient based on marine

minerals.
• High levels of calcium in diet risk reducing growth and FCR as excessive Ca
binds up nutrients in diet
• CeltiCal allows us to reduce Ca levels due to the increased bioavailability
• Reducing dietary Ca creates space for other nutrients giving a cost efficiency
benefit
• Reducing CaCO3 reduces the overall Acid Binding Capacity of the diet
• This reduces the pH of the digestive system all around
• Reduced pH with CeltiCal generates overall better digestive health:
• Increase digestive capacity
• Improve microbial balance
 Marine Mineral Excellence
Solubilisation and release of Ca and Mg at pH 5.8

Calcium Release Magnesium Release

0-2 2-4 4-6 6-8 0-2 2-4 4-6 6-8

hours hours hours hours hours hours hours hours

Calcium 56.71% 74.57% 87.55% 100.00% Magnesium 86.17% 87.16% 95.96% 96.66%

Conclusion:
Ionised Ca and Mg are totally solubilized and made bio-available.
Other trace minerals are held within the matrix as impurities which help to weaken
the matrix but must be solubilised at the same time.
 Marine Mineral Excellence
Solubilisation and release of Ca at pH 2

69.30 69.30
Total Volume of 0.1M HCl (mls)

66.50 67.50 67.50 67.50 67.50 67.50 67.50 67.00 68.00

62.00 62.00
60.00
57.00 57.00
52.00
47.00
45.00
41.00

31.00

20.00

0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360

Time (minutes)

CeltiCal Calcium Carbonate (95% < 300 microns)

 Marine Mineral Excellence
Solubilisation and release of Ca at pH 2

Results

• All CeltiCal solubilised, no more 67.50 67.50 67.50 67.50 67.50 67.50 68.00
69.30 69.30

Total Volume of 0.1M HCl (mls)

66.50 67.00

62.00 62.00
neutralization. No more H2CO3 produced, no 60.00
57.00 57.00

buffering 52.00

47.00
45.00

• Limestone still neutralizing HCl - formation of 41.00

H₂CO₃ and HCO₃ which buffers pH 31.00

20.00

0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360

Time (minutes)

CeltiCal Calcium Carbonate (95% < 300 microns)

 Does solubility translate into digestibility?
Walk et al. (2012)

Materials and Method N and Energy Digestibility (%)

85
• PC diet: 0.9% Ca, 0.32% avP – Ca and P from 81.9

80 78
limestone and M/DCP – no phytase
75
• 12 treatments: 4 x 3 factorial design 71.7
70
• 4 levels Ca (0.90, 0.75, 0.60, 0.45%) 66.7
65
• 3 levels phytase (0, 500 and 2500 FTU
60
Results
55

• As calcium level reduced, the digestibility of 50

0 500 2500 0 500 2500 0 500 2500 0 500 2500
energy and protein and the impact of phytase is
CTRL CeltiCal (0.9%) CeltiCal (0.75%) CeltiCal (0.6%) CeltiCal (0.45%)
improved beyond the original limestone control

Protein Energy
 Walk et al. (2012)
Purdue University I USA

Weight gain & Feed Conversion Ratio 21 day old broilers

700 1.4

1.374
Results 1.38

650

• Associated with the improvements in

1.36

1.333
1.325 1.321
1.34

digestibility, FCR also improves 600

1.3 1.3 1.305 1.32

1.296 1.296
• However, there seems to be an optimum ratio for 550

1.277
1.284 1.3

1.269
phytase and Ca level
1.28

500

1.26

1.237
1.24

450

1.22

We need to consider accounting for the additional 400

630 531 598 642 620 649 678 583 666 653 623 666 628
1.2

available calcium 0 500 2500 0 500 2500 0 500 2500 0 500 2500
CTRL CeltiCal (0.9%) CeltiCal (0.75%) CeltiCal (0.6%) CeltiCal (0.45%)

WG (g) FCR (kg/kg)

 Schlegel & Gutzwiller (2017)
Agroscope | Switzerland

Results

• Mineral digestibility numerically improved Limestone CeltiCal RMSE P-value

when CeltiCal was used.
Ca digestibility (%) 46.7 51.2 8.5 NS

P digestibility (%) 54.8 57.6 6.3 NS

Mg digestibility (%) 20.0 27.1 7.6 NS

 Brennan et al. (2017)
The effect on bone mineralisation

• Proving benefit of CeltiCal using established

model of osteoporosis with ovariectomized
rats (OVX)

• Representative
a. three-dimensional micro CT reconstruction and
b. two dimensional slices of trabecular bone from
proximal tibia of rats at week 20

• Nielsen et al. (2008) demonstrated improved

bone mineralisation, increases in markers of
bone turnover (CTX and osteocalcin) in
Arabian horse yearlings
 CeltiCal and the immune response
Ma et al. (2002)

Introduction

• Ca is essential in the immune response and the activation of

different types of white blood cells

• Ca represents the immediate inflammatory signal at a wound

before white blood cells are present

• Maintenance of tight junctions (Ma et al., 2000)

• Reducing stomach ulcers

• Reducing the pH throughout the digestive tract

 Performance excellence
Overall conclusions

CeltiCal offers nutritional solutions for:

• a healthy gut function & long-term optimum pH in the gut
• reducing the risk for gastric ulcers & inflammation
• easier management by controlling stress & aggression
• optimum bioavailable minerals
• increasing pig production efficiency
• improving animal welfare

CeltiCal should be used as part of an overall strategy for reducing

calcium concentration to facilitate improved digestion, growth
and FCR.
 Let’s connect

Celtic Sea Minerals Ltd. | Strand Farm, Currabinny, Carrigaline, Co. Cork, Ireland | T +353 21 437 8377 | E [email protected] | www.celticseaminerals.com