A 25 d growth trial utilizing 198 pigs was
conducted to determine the influence of
fumaric acid and calcium formate on starter
pig performance. At weaning (19 d of age
and 11.9 lb), pigs were blocked by weight
and allotted to one of three dietary treatments: a control diet without acid addition or diets containing 1.5% fumaric acid or 1.5% calcium formate. Adding calcium formate to the diet had no influence on average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), or feed efficiency (F/G). Pigs fed the diet containing fumaric acid had
improved feed efficiency during the first 2
weeks postweaning compared to pigs fed the
other two diets. These results do not support
the addition of calcium formate to the starter diet. However, results warrant additional research to determine the efficacy of fumaric acid in high nutrient density starter diets.
