Summary Stalosan F is a powder disinfectant that contains 85% phosphate, 10% clay, 4% iron/copper and 1% essential oils. This product that has been used in the European pig industry for over 40 years, and is currently available on the Australian market. The Australian suppliers of the product (Chemiplas) state that this product is unique compared to other bedding conditioners available on the market, as over time it breaks down the breeding cycle of bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites (internal and external). Furthermore, the absorptive capacity of the product has been shown to reduce the concentration of ammonia and moisture in the environment, and reduce the population of flies. The aim of this experiment was to compare the use of Stalosan F to standard farrowing house hygiene procedures on piglet growth, incidence of scours, piglet mortality and morbidity. Three hundred and eighty four gilts and sows and their litters were used in the experiment. The application of Stalosan F to the farrowing accommodation prior to sow entry to the farrowing house and at weekly intervals, significantly reduced the incidence of scouring litters, reduced the severity of scouring and reduced the number of medical treatments and piglet deaths (12% down to 9% pre-weaning mortality). Furthermore, there was a strong trend for piglet rate of gain to be improved from fostering to weaning in the Stalosan F treatment (215g to 221g/day). The use of Stalosan F is a management tool that may be implemented in the farrowing house to improve the survivability of piglets from birth to weaning. Acknowledgements The author gratefully acknowledges the technical support of the QAF Research and Innovation Unit and the financial and technical support from Chemiplas and James Van Rij (Chemiplas). Page 1
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