PERFORMANCE EFFECTS OF STRATEGIC PULSE DOSING OF LINCOMIX~(R) (LINCOMYCIN, PHARMACIA UPJOHN) FEED MEDICATION IN THE DIETS OF GROWING-FINISHING PIGS

摘要

Consumer acceptance of widespread antibiotic use in animal feeds is diminishing. Therefore, new technologies to produce meat with reduced use of antibiotics are necessary. The strategic pulsing of therapeutic antibiotics may be one possible alternative to the continuous inclusion of growth promoting antibiotics. LINCOMIX~(R) (Lincomycin hydrochloride, Pharmacia & Upjohn) is a feed medication that may be effectively used in a pulse dosing strategy. Lincomycin is produced from Streptomyces lincolnensisand has activity against gram-positive organisms, mycoplasma species, Brachyspira hyodysenteriae, Lawsonia intracellularis and anaerobic bacteria, but no impact on gram-negative organisms or viruses. Feeding lincomycin may reduce weight variation and improve growth performance in growing-finishing swine through the reduction of severity of respiratory and enteric disease. These benefits make the use of LINCOMIX an attractive option for growing-finishing pigs. For these reasons, the potential benefits of pulsed doses of LINCOMIX Feed Medication were investigated in a commercial swine facility.