Dr Ioannis Mavromichalis
Dr Ioannis Mavromichalis holds graduate degrees on pig nutrition from Kansas State University (MSc 1997) and University Illinois (PhD 2000).
He is the author of over 500 technical publications including journal papers, book chapters, reviews, articles, newsletters, and regular columns in technical magazines. He has also done considerable ghost-writing work, and he is now offering technical writing know-how to corporate clients worldwide.
In 2008, Dr Mavromichalis formed Ariston Nutrition SL, offering worldwide consultancy and nutrition services to pig producers, premix compounders, feed manufacturers, genetic houses, and additive suppliers. Services range from feed formulation to product development, from advice on additives to research design, from complete nutrition reviews to practical on-farm recommendations.
In 2007, he published a book titled “Applied Nutrition for Young Pigs”, a subject for which he is considered one of the top experts worldwide, combining in a single volume extensive scientific knowledge and wide practical experience.
In his previous occupation, Dr. Mavromichalis held field and executive technical positions in major feed nutrition suppliers in USA and Europe.
More on Dr. Ioannis Mavromichalis and his company Ariston Nutrition SL can be found at his website www.ariston-nutrition.com.
Latest Blogs (1-10 of 74)
Nutrition Questions
Nutrition is expensive, and it will remain so for a long time, especially while biofuels continue to compete with animals for cereals and other crops. Today, nutrition cost is estimated at 75% of total production cost. Most pig producers use free nutrition services offered ‘freely’not only by qualified nutrition suppliers, but quite often even by suppliers that have little connection to nutrition.
Cobalt
In the last three years, actually since the worldwide financial crisis started - which coincided with the founding of my consulting service (I trust the two are not related!) - I have reviewed a lot of premix formulas with a ‘mandate’ to reduce cost.
Inulin
Since 2004, I have been using inulin indirectly and incidentally, being unavoidably present in one of my favorite ingredients for piglet feeds, but I have never used it in its pure form. Lately, I have reviewed a lot of new information regarding this ‘functional fiber’, and it appears to be all positive.
Additives for today!
We all like to discuss the kind of products that will be needed in the future. In fact, I have even been invited to a few such ‘think’ groups to offer my two cents (or pennies in UK) of wisdom. But, things are so bad these days (or rather during the last two to three years) that we need solutions delivered yesterday to be used today; there might be no tomorrow otherwise!
The value of weaning weight
A most common question is ‘what is the value of extra weaning weight?’ Say, a supplier comes knocking on your door with the next additive for the lactating sow feed. It costs 20 euros per kilogram (huge gasp goes here!) and you need one such kilogram per metric tonne of feed. This will give you an extra 500 grams on your current weaning weight, which at 21 days of age is lamentably too low, at 5.5 kg per piglet (summer and all that, you know).
Over-formulation
Every week, I receive at least one request to review a set of diets. Sometimes for sows, sometimes for growers, occasionally for both. I usually prepare a detailed response, attach it to an email, and off it goes. Most sets of formulas come from exterior sources, but more and more in-house nutritionists request for a second opinion - something that I consider very progressive!
Pigs love beer
We all know humans love beer! Apparently, pigs too
Note from blogger
Dear friends, I have recently discovered the great possibilities of professional networking through LinkedIn...
Whey quality: it matters!
When prices go up, we’re all inclined to find a cheaper source for any ingredient, especially in piglet formulas where margins have become so small in the last few years. But, there is a line which we should not cross, as pigs will respond by simply refusing to eat sub-optimal diets.
Can fababeans replace soya?
The recent crisis of feedstuff prices has brought a lot of attention to otherwise obscure and neglected ingredients. I was recently contacted to offer advice concerning the use of fababeans in diets for pigs. Apparently, a low-quality lot had been offered at a very competitive price to a small
pig producer and he wanted to maximize their use to reduce feed cost as much as possible.
