Feeding and Feed strategies to achieve high prolific sow herds
Feed and feeding strategies to achieve high prolific sow herds
An article on feeding strategies of high prolific sows
By Peter Ramaekers
Swine Research Centre, Nutreco
Primiparous sows are the problem category in most sow herds. Field data analyses show that these sows have the highest risk of a rpolonged weaning to estrus interval. Therefore a lot of these sows are treated with cycle stimulating hormones like PG600, sometimes even as a standard at the day of weaning... For the full article, click on the link below.
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R&D comments on Feeding Strategies of High Prolific Sows
Benny van Haandel
Hypor Research & Development
Since the introduction of BLUP technology for breeding value estimation genetic levels for litter size have increased drastically. In the breeding program there is a balanced focus on reproductive traits. Main traits are age at first mating, interval weaning to mating, litter size, percentage born alive and percentage losses. The breeding objective is to have sows that are easy to manage in breeding. A sow should be in estrus at a young age, should be bred at preferably the third estrus and should be able to be rebred easily. A high litter index and low percentages of repeats are the characteristics of a good breeding herd, apart from high litter size. Together they determine for a large part the technical results of a farm.
Results that can be archieved of 27 weaned piglets/sow/year with average weaning ages of 17 days (North America) or 26 weaned piglets/sow/year with average weaning ages of 24 days (Europe) put a high pressure on the balance of the sow. Sows need suficient feed intake capacity to cope with these production levels. Selection for feed intake capacity and longevity therefore has required additional attention the latest years. A changing sow however also requires a change in feeding management.
Dr. Ir Peter J.L. Ramaekers has summarized the challenges of feeding a high prolific sow herd. He works at the Swine Research Station of Nutreco in the Netherlands and his main focus is at reproduction and feeding
Nutreco Swine Research Station
Hypor / Genex Swine Group is part of Nutreco. Within Nutreco the Swine Research Station (SRC) in the Netherlands has a thorough focus on various disciplines in Swine Research. Feed and feeding strategies in order to optimize reproductive performance is one of them.
