INDEPENDENT REPORT - Ekogea Feed Ingredient Reduces Ammonia By Over 50% in Pig Slurry Trials

Animal Health

Reporting of independent trial by:

In a recent series of on-farm trials, an independent report has concluded that Ekogea’s BioComplex PLUS feed ingredient has been found to dramatically reduce the ammonia emissions of pigs.

The work was conducted by The George Veterinary Pig Practice, one of the UK’s leading pig veterinary practices. Biocomplex PLUS has shown major reductions in the ammonia levels within the pigs’ housing of over 50% for each week across the 8-week trial.

The Theory

The BioComplex product range is derived from marine algae through Ekogea’s unique extraction process. The resulting solution has a very high level of negative ions, increasing cation exchange capacity. These negative ions allow the BioComplex PLUS feed ingredient to chemically buffer toxins within the animal. One of the effects of this cation exchange is that gaseous ammonia is altered into its crystalline form of ammonium.

Ammonia has been shown to be damaging to human and animal health, as well as to the environment, and has become a growing concern to governing bodies such as DEFRA and the Environment Agency. The ability of BioComplex PLUS to reduce the ammonia output from pigs (and other livestock) will be exceptionally beneficial for the industry.

The Trial

The trial was performed to evaluate the effect of PLUS as a feed ingredient in reducing the levels of ammonia excreted by treated pigs.

Two successive batches of pigs in the post weaning stage were measured by environmental recording equipment from Week 1 to Week 8. The first batch was fed with a normal farm ration while the second batch was fed the same ration with the inclusion of a feed additive; Ekogea’s BioComplex PLUS.

The Observations

The figures in the graphs below show the maximum and minimum ammonia levels on recorded days across both untreated and treated batches, with the following notable observations:

The maximum levels in untreated animals peaked at 40 parts per million (ppm) and often exceeded 20 ppm. The maximum level in treated pigs, however, peaked at just 13 ppm and were generally below 5 ppm.
In the batch treated with BioComplex PLUS feed ingredient, ammonia levels clearly fall below 5 ppm and the minimum values exceed 0 ppm in only three out of the ten days sampled.

The Data

Conclusion

A study of daily ranges and direct weekly comparisons, shows a considerable reduction in gas-phase ammonia in the atmosphere that surrounds the pigs, due to the inclusion of Ekogea’s BioComplex PLUS feed ingredient in the diet of the pigs.

The George Vet Pig team conducting the trial were careful to make consideration for changes in temperature, time of year and automated ventilation systems.

These significant results backup the earlier work completed by Ekogea on other ‘treated’ pig and broiler farms where farmers have reported a notable reduction in the smell within animal housing.

For Further Information

For further information on this work or if you wish to get involved in further work on your farm, please contact Mike Clarke tel. 07484 187050, email: mike.clarke@ekogea.co.uk or visit our website on www.ekogea.co.uk

More About Ekogea’s BioComplex PLUS

Ekogea’s PLUS is part of its BioComplex range of 100% natural and organic certified products derived from marine algae. PLUS is a feed pre-mix ingredient, administered in granulate form for inclusion into standard bulk and farm mixed rations. It is also available for inclusion in water lines.

Additional Benefits to Ekogea’s BioComplex PLUS

PLUS has a prebiotic effect, which alongside beneficial reduction of ammonia and acidity in the gut, improves the balance of beneficial microbes in the gut. In addition, an extensive range of trace elements and minerals provide significant and sustained improvements in animal health, leading to improved FCR, growth rates, mortality rates, as well as a reduction in the use of medicines, all leading to significant cost savings. A further benefit is a noticeable reduction in aggressive behaviour among the animals.

About Ekogea

Ekogea is an Agri-tech business with proprietary technology in livestock, biogas and waste treatment. Ekogea sells a diverse range of award winning ‘organic’ additives and systems to enhance the ‘circular farm economy’.