Weaning remains one of the most challenging stages in pig production, often exposing piglets to nutritional, environmental, and social stresses that can impact growth and health. To help producers manage this critical transition more effectively, Trouw Nutrition has introduced Milkiwean ActiBar, an innovative piglet nutrition solution designed to encourage early feeding behaviour and support digestive development before weaning.
The patent-pending Milkiwean ActiBar has been developed to stimulate piglets’ natural instincts to root, chew, and explore their surroundings. By encouraging piglets to interact with solid feed at an earlier stage, the product helps prepare them both physiologically and behaviourally for the transition from milk to solid nutrition.
According to Trouw Nutrition, early feed engagement plays a crucial role in supporting gut development and reducing the challenges commonly associated with weaning. Piglets that begin consuming solid feed before weaning are generally better equipped to maintain feed intake, growth rates, and overall performance once separated from the sow.
“Milkiwean ActiBar introduces a completely new approach to preparing piglets for weaning,” said Rick van Oort, Global Strategic Marketing Manager Swine at Trouw Nutrition. “It is specifically designed to activate pre-weaning feeding behaviour and provides producers with a practical, science-based solution that helps piglets transition more smoothly and perform better from the outset.”
The innovation complements existing creep feed programmes by encouraging earlier interaction with feed while supporting digestive stability during one of the most sensitive phases of pig production. This combination helps piglets adapt more easily to dietary changes and maintain growth momentum after weaning.
As pig producers continue seeking ways to improve animal welfare, productivity, and feed efficiency, innovations such as Milkiwean ActiBar demonstrate how targeted nutritional solutions can help address long-standing production challenges. By focusing on early behavioural development and digestive readiness, Trouw Nutrition aims to provide farmers with a valuable tool for improving piglet performance and supporting healthier, more resilient herds.
