KENYA – De Heus Kenya has introduced its latest innovation in piglet nutrition – the Nurse Meal Milk Replacer, now available in a convenient 1kg pack. 

This milk substitute is designed to address common feeding challenges faced by pig farmers, including supporting orphaned piglets, compensating for insufficient milk supply from sows, and providing essential nutrition when sows are unwell.

The Nurse Meal is formulated explicitly for piglets aged 2 to 28 days, ensuring they receive complete, high-quality nourishment during this critical growth phase. 

De Heus’ milk replacer consists of easily digestible ingredients that promote optimal development. It helps farmers improve piglet survival rates, growth performance, and weaning weights.

Key benefits of the Nurse Meal include its ability to increase feed intake, stimulate gut health, and reduce mortality rates, especially in larger litters. 

It also helps prevent the weaning dip—a common challenge where piglets struggle to maintain weight after transitioning from sow’s milk.

According to De Heus, using the Nurse Meal as a substitute for sow’s milk ensures piglets receive the nutrients necessary for a healthy start. 

The company further provides that farmers can seamlessly switch piglets from the Nurse Meal to standard feed once the animals are stronger and more independent. 

This product is part of De Heus’ ongoing commitment to providing innovative solutions for the livestock sector, anchored around its ‘Pig Nutrition Centre’ in the Netherlands. 

Opened in 2017, this facility focuses on developing sustainable and healthy pig farming practices while minimising the environmental impact.

The centre houses 250 sows and their piglets, and it has advanced research facilities that allow for in-depth studies on animal nutrition. 

By simulating real-world farming conditions, De Heus can conduct multiple feed studies simultaneously, offering valuable insights into long-term effects on pig growth. 

The data collected at the centre improves De Heus’ speciality feed products, which focus on high-quality sow and piglet nutrition.

In addition to launching the Nurse Meal, De Heus Kenya is organising a series of seminars for local aqua farmers. 

The seminars, which will take place on October 7th in Busia and October 9th in Homa Bay, aim to provide farmers with valuable insights into best practices for fish farming.

They further demonstrate De Heus’ commitment to supporting the agricultural community across various sectors.

Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World HERE.