Evaluation of Red Osier Dogwoods' crude extracts immune promoting activity in weaned pigs

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Post-weaning diarrhea is a major cause of productive and economic losses in swine industry. The sub-therapeutic doses of antibiotics in piglets' diets have effectively minimized the problem and functioned as growth promoters. At a time where antibiotics usage in pigs' diets is gradually being phased out, the adoption of natural remedies such as plant's phenolics could be advantageous to swine producers. The Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea also known as Cornus stolonifera) plant is native to Canada. Depending on the season the total phenolics concentration in the leaves is between 40 to 220 mg/g. This project shall examine the health promoting effect of Red Osier Dogwood's ground leaves and bark on weaned pig and especially on incidence of diarrhea caused by Escherichia coli. A disease challenge model will be used comparing Red Osier Dogwood with commonly used antibiotics on controlling diarrhea in weaned pigs. The results will be beneficial in development of non-antibiotic strategies of dealing with post-weaning diarrhea in piglets. Also, the findings will enable Red Dog Enterprises Limited to market their product as an alternative to dietary antibiotics in piglets.