Introducing a new feed additive aimed to promote increased weight gain in growing-finishing swine, Elanco Animal Health Inc. has announced the addition of Microtracer technology to its Skycis 100 product to confirm Skycis presence and its active ingredient, narasin, in feed samples.
Elanco’s Technical Advisor, Dr. Roger Arentson says in the release, “The technology provides an additional safety step for producers, feed mills and nutritionists, and a fast, accurate on-site method of confirming the ingredient’s inclusion in their diets.”
As the only ionophore available to U.S. pork producers, Skycis focuses on promoting weight gain and improved feed efficiency in grower-finisher swine when feed for at least four weeks, explains the release. The active ingredient, Narasin, helps balance digestive system bacteria, driving increased weight gain, feed utilization and energy availability.
Microtracers are very small iron particles coated with food grade dye that are thoroughly mixed into the premix before bagging, Elanco explains. First introduced in livestock feed in 1961 by Micro-Tracers, Inc., reports Elanco, microtracers are safe for livestock and do not change the nutritional composition of feed. The technology utilizes different elements to allow more effective quality and safety control measures.
According to the Elanco release, microtracers are detected in feeds through the use of a rotary detector, a device with a spinning magnet. When poured into the machine, the rotating magnet attracts the microtracer particles onto filter paper which is then developed to determine the presence of Skycis in the feed. Specifically, the rotary detector helps analyze both qualitatively and quantitatively the presents of Skycis.
“This additional feature demonstrates Elanco’s continuous commitment to provide quality, safe products to meet our customer’s needs,” adds Dr. Scott Carr, Elanco technical fellow in the release. “Skycis has been proven to add efficiency and productivity in swine herds, with this added peace of mind, we can continue to expand the impact of Skycis on producers’ bottom line.”
