During the gestation and lactation period, sows must mobilize body reserves to cover their increased energy needs. Porcine ketosis and related metabolic problems such as fatty liver are signs of unbalanced energy intake and energy demands. Solving such challenges can be easily done by correcting the energy content during late gestation and avoiding inappetence.

Additional challenges require innovative solutions; for instance, piglets at weaning suffer from under-developed digestive and absorption capacity, which decreases their growth rate and increases the prevalence of diarrhea and enteric diseases. Natural feed additives that act as growth promoters and immunomodulators are now common, especially following the ban of antibiotics as growth promoters.

Heat stress during hot seasons is also a growing challenge facing the swine industry, as pigs are vulnerable to complications accompanying heat stress due to their limited capacity to sweat and adapt to high temperatures and humidity.

Swine suffer from additional sources of stress such as overcrowding and stocking density. Modern feed additives provide potent and safe solutions for both old and new management challenges in swine farms. These additives support swine productivity, improve fertility and survival of piglets, and help to bridge stressful periods such as weaning, remating, or hot summer days.