**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** EARLY LIFE CHALLENGES IN PIGS INCLUDE INTESTINAL DIARRHEAL DISEASE AND WEANING STRESS. THESE CHALLENGES RESULT IN INJURY TO THE LINING OF THE INTESTINAL TRACT, WHICH WE HAVE SHOWN IS SLOW TO REPAIR IN THE SUCKLING PIG. WE HAVE LINKED THE FAILURE TO REPAIR THE INTESTINE TO AN IMMATURE GUT NERVOUS SYSTEM, WHICH IS RESPONSIVE DURING EARLY LIFE TO A DEVELOPING POPULATION OF MICROBES CALLED THE MICROBIOME. WE PROPOSE THAT FEEDING SOLUBLE FIBER WILL ENRICH THE MICROBIOME, RESULTING IN SIGNALING TO THE INTESTINAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, FOLLOWED BY A MORE MATURE RESPONSE TO INTESTINAL DISEASE AND TO OFFSET THE EFFECT OF WEANING ON THE INTESTINAL TRACT. THIS IN TURN SHOULD LEAD TO INCREASED GROWTH PERFORMANCE IN YOUNG SWINE.