[Vitamin E as a possible aid in the control of disease problems on pig farms: a field test]

In two sow-herds problems with weaning-diarrhoea and Streptococcus suis meningitis were successfully controlled by strategic use of antibiotics during the post-weaning period. In an attempt to reduce the intake of antibiotics by farm animals, the vitamin E level in the post-weaning diet was increased from 20 IE/kg to 80 IE/kg, because vitamin E is thought to increase resistance. The effect on both farms was stunning, so a small field trial was started. In this trial the higher level of vitamin E had a statistically significant beneficial effect on weaning-diarrhoea. The author concludes that in some cases an increased level of vitamin E can have a positive effect on disease management on pig-farms and can lead to reduced use of antibiotics.