WHY WE RECOMMEND FEEDING TRUETRAC FROM DAY ONE

Why you should feed TrueTrac starting the first day you put a show pig prospect on feed.

In 2015, a group of researchers from both private companies and Texas A&M University performed a study. They looked at the effects of chelated trace minerals as an intervention and prevention of degenerative joint disease (DJD) and osteoarthritis. (OA) Osteochondrosis Desicans (OCD in multiple species including swine.

In a nutshell, they found that supplemental chelated trace minerals were effective. In both sows and gilts, reducing the culling rate for lameness by over 35%.  

OCD, DJD, and OA are the most important root cause for lameness in show pigs. They are over 10x more common than infectious causes like mycoplasma.

This and other similar studies are why we formulated TrueTrac we began with specific chelated trace minerals as the foundation.

The Trial

In the spring of 2019 we did a study in growing show pigs split into three groups.  Our product TrueTrac is a combination of chelated trace minerals, and other ingredients intended to nutritionally support joint health. Group 1 were controls and they were not supplemented with TrueTrac. The second group were supplemented with TrueTrac beginning at 150 lbs until they reached market weight.  The third group received TrueTrac from the beginning of the trial (~50#) until market weight.

We measured clinical lameness by scoring on a scale of 0-5 daily with 0 being no clinical evidence to 5 non-weight bearing. Once a week we measured length of stride, (on a 1-3 scale with one representing normal, 2 compromised, and 3 severely compromised range of motion.) We followed some pigs from each group to slaughter and examined their joints.

The Results

The severity of the lesions in the articular surface appear to correlate well with the lameness score and range of motion.  The most severely affected pigs in the control group had complete erosions of the articular cartilage creating a painful bone on bone joint surface. There were NO visible lesions in any of the pigs that received TrueTrac from the beginning.

From 50 lbs to 200 lbs the range of motion and lameness score were similar.  As pigs reached heavier weights they started to exhibit clinical signs of lameness.  The chart summarizes the differences in the three treatment groups in lameness score and range of motion from 200 lbs to market weight.

Pigs that received TrueTrac beginning at 50 pounds scored 58% better in lameness score from the control. They were 42% better than pigs that received TrueTrac late in the feeding period. The improvements in range of motion score were similar.

The Bottom Line

The elimination of OCD / OA lesions in the joints is why you should feed TrueTrac starting the first day you put a show pig prospect on feed.