May 18, 2026
 

 

The presentations address swine nutrition challenges including rising copper prices and the shift to zinc oxide-free feeding programmes.

 

NOVUS will spotlight recent swine research on trace minerals and organic acids during the 28th International Pig Veterinary Society Congress, to be held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from 16 to 19 June 2026, with three posters presented by Jesus Acosta, Ph.D., Global Swine Research Manager at NOVUS.

 

The research focuses on nursery and wean-to-finish pig performance strategies designed to support feed efficiency, survivability, and productivity under evolving production conditions.

 

"Producers around the world are looking for practical ways to optimise performance while managing changing nutritional and regulatory demands," Acosta said. "These studies explore intelligent nutrition that supports pigs during critical production phases, particularly around weaning and early growth."

 

Among the research being presented: an evaluation of trace mineral sources in nursery pigs showed that pigs fed bis-chelated trace minerals experienced more favourable feed conversion outcomes than those fed inorganic trace minerals. Additional observations related to pig survivability and consistency during the post-weaning period were also seen in the bis-chelate-fed pigs.

 

A second study examining reduced-copper feeding strategies compared bis-chelated trace minerals to tribasic copper chloride in wean-to-finish pigs. Results show that the effect of copper on growth performance and efficiency can be maintained while using substantially lower inclusion levels of the bis-chelated minerals, findings the company said are especially relevant given current increases in copper prices.

 

A third analysis across two nursery pig studies evaluated protected benzoic acid in zinc oxide-free feeding programmes. Results indicated notable responses during the early post-weaning period, with observations tied to growth performance and feed efficiency in more than 1,000 pigs.

 

Acosta said the findings reinforce the importance of nutrition strategies that align productivity goals with modern production challenges. "These presentations are intended to start conversations. There is strong interest globally in approaches that help producers maintain performance while adapting to new market and management realities," he said.

 

— NOVUS