Dietary inclusion of methanotrophic microbial cell-derived protein in the early postweaning period sustains growth performance and intestinal health of weaner piglets.

The global demand for sustainably produced protein feeds for animal production is increasing. Methanotrophic bacteria grow on methane and convert it into microbial cell protein (MCP) that has been shown to have high nutritive value for growing pigs. The present aimed to investigate how increasing amounts of MCP in diets fed during the first 15 days after weaning affect the growth performance of piglets from weaning until day 43 postweaning.