Abstract: This study investigated the effects of incorporating a Bentonite (Proteck, a bioactive mineral-based bentonite feed additive from Elanco Animal Health USA) into gestation and lactation diets on reproductive performance in sows. Previous research has shown that Proteck reduces oxidative stress and enhances both performance and gut microbiota in sows (Taylor et al., 2019; Rong et al., 2019). We utilized three different commercial farm settings across two years to conduct a before-and-after comparison. Control groups received standard gestation and lactation diets, while the experimental groups received similar diets supplemented with Bentonite at a rate of 2.0 kg/metric ton from insemination to weaning. Farm A, located in Sonora, included 1,800 sows, while Farms B and C, both in Jalisco, housed 1,600 and 3,600 sows, respectively. Sow performance was compared over similar timeframes with the following insemination periods: Farm A (March to May 2021), Farm B (February to August 2023), and Farm C (July to November 2023). Control group sows were inseminated during the corresponding periods of the previous year. A total of 11,660 sows were evaluated across both timeframes. Performance data were obtained from records using PigCHAMP and/or PigKnows software. Statistical analyses considered parity and farm effects, with the insemination batch serving as the experimental unit: weekly for Farms A and B, and every three weeks for Farm C. Differences were evaluated using Student's t-test and Dunnett's test for least squares means, with significance set at P < 0.05 and trends at P < 0.10 (JMP 18.1.0). Results (Table 1) indicated that the inclusion of bioactive Bentonite positively influenced sow performance, with increases of +0.69 in total born (P < 0.0001), +0.52 in born alive (P = 0.0002), +0.34 in weaned piglets (P = 0.0002), and +6.06 kg in adjusted litter weight at 21 days (P < 0.0001). However, a reduction in farrowing rate of -3.25% (P = 0.0126) was noted, likely attributable to viral issues affecting some farms during the Bentonite supplementation period. In conclusion, the addition of this Bentonite was associated with improved litter size, increased numbers of weaned piglets, and enhanced weaned litter weight, underscoring its potential as a valuable tool for optimizing sow performance in commercial settings.
