· By Igor Plahotnik
How to choose the right product for small and weak piglets: Balance between price and effectiveness
To ensure the survival of the piglets, it is essential that they receive colostrum, as it contains vital antibodies and immunoglobulins. However, some piglets may be weak, have low birth weight or have difficulty competing for the sow's milk. In these cases, supplementary nutrition is necessary.
There are several different products on the market, but it is important to evaluate them based on their cost-effectiveness and their ability to improve piglet survival. Since the time required to administer the products is the same, the choice should be based on their effectiveness and cost per piglet.
1. Choose the most cost-effective product
- 🐷 Time for administration is the same: Regardless of which product is chosen, the time spent giving it to the piglets is the same.
- 🐷 Improved survival: The goal of the subsidy is to reduce mortality by at least 3%.
- 🐷 Price per piglet: Products vary in effectiveness, but price is crucial for return on investment.
2. Comparison of products based on price and effectiveness
| Product | Price per ml (DKK) | Dosage (ml) | Price per piglet (DKK) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product 1 (Basic energy supplement) | 0.05 | 8 | 0.42 |
| Pig Start (Balanced Energy & Immune Support) | 0.15 | 9 | 1.35 |
| Product 2 (Electrolyte & fluid balance) | 0.30 | 8 | 2.43 |
| Product 3 (Immune support & probiotics) | 0.79 | 4 | 3.17 |
| Product 4 (Premium energy & probiotics) | 0.83 | 4 | 3.32 |
| Product 5 (Fast-acting high-energy supplement) | 1.40 | 4 | 5.58 |
| Product 6 (Specialized premium formula) | 1.00 | 8 | 7.96 |
3. Calculation of costs for a farm with 1,000 sows
Each sow produces 14 piglets, giving 14,000 piglets per cycle. If 30% (4,200 piglets) are to be subsidized, the costs are as follows:
| Product | Cost per piglet (DKK) | Total investment (DKK) |
|---|---|---|
| Product 1 | 0.42 | 1,764 |
| Pig Start | 1.35 | 5,670 |
| Product 2 | 2.43 | 10,206 |
| Product 3 | 3.17 | 13,314 |
| Product 4 | 3.32 | 13,944 |
| Product 5 | 5.58 | 23,436 |
| Product 6 | 7.96 | 33,432 |
If Pig Start reduces mortality by 3%, 420 extra piglets will survive. If each piglet is worth 250 DKK, this gives an extra income of 105,000 DKK. The investment is only 5,670 DKK, which gives an ROI of over 18x!
4. Why choose Pig Start?
- ✅ Balanced nutrition – Ensures energy and immune support
- ✅ Economical – Mid-range price with high value
- ✅ Documented effect – Reduces mortality and promotes growth
- ✅ Strengthens digestion and immune system – Improves survival
💡 Conclusion
Pig Start is the best choice – it improves piglet health at a reasonable price and maximizes profitability.