
Published on Jan. 30, 2025
Reducing Sow Mortality: A Key to Economic Profitability
In today’s swine production, maximizing profitability goes beyond boosting productivity—it requires careful management of factors like sow survivability.
Key metrics like litter size (i.e. total born) often take center stage. However, sow mortality remains a significant key performance indicator that we cannot overlook. High sow mortality rates not only increase costs. They also disrupt overall efficiency and profitability, directly impacting the bottom line for pork producers.
Rising Mortality Rates: A Growing Concern
Sow mortality rates have experienced a significant increase over the years. In 2023, industry data revealed mortality rates approaching 16%1. For producers, these numbers translate into direct financial losses.
Losing a sow during gestation or lactation results in missed revenue opportunities. It also generates additional costs for replacements, labor, and deadstock disposal.
Iowa State University estimates that reducing sow mortality by just 1 percentage point saves $11.40 USD (€11.05) per sow annually2. If we extrapolate this figure to a 2,500-head farm, the savings could amount to nearly $28,500 (€27.629) annually. This highlights the significant impact that reducing sow mortality can have on the overall performance of your farm.
Lost Opportunity Equals Lost Revenue
José Ángel Pedrido Rey, Veterinarian and Technical Service Manager at Hypor, explains that each dead sow represents a missed opportunity to maximize return on investment. The cost of sow mortality includes:
- Loss of piglets that could have been weaned and sold.
- Increased labor costs due to managing replacement gilts and removing deceased animals.
- Disposal fees for dead sows - depending on the country.
- Additional costs of replacement gilts.
These expenses are compounded by the "reputation cost," as higher mortality rates can negatively influence consumer perceptions of pork production practices. This underscores the critical need for a balanced and sustainable approach to genetics and herd management that prioritizes both profitability and sustainability.
Hypor’s Balanced Genetics: The Solution for Longevity
Hypor commits to having a balanced and sustainable genetic selection. We ensure that sows like the Hypor Libra excel in longevity, productivity, and health. Unlike single-trait selection, which can lead to negative trade-offs such as increased mortality, the Hypor Libra sow combines key traits such as larger litters, better feed conversion, and exceptional sow survivability.
In addition, one of Hypor’s main focuses in breeding selection is the stayability. We produce sows with high longevity and the ability to remain for more reproductive cycles with strong production numbers.
Field data supports this approach. The top farms globally using Hypor Libra sows have achieved an average sow survivability rate exceeding 95% over the past four years3. This translates into improved profitability, with fewer replacements needed and greater returns on investment for every sow.
The Profitability of Longevity
Sow longevity is a critical factor for economic success in pork production. The Hypor Libra sow demonstrates this through :
- Lower Replacement Costs: Reduced need for replacement gilts, which cost approximately $1,140 (€1,105) for every sow that dies when including the lost revenue opportunities2.
- Improved Labor Efficiency: Fewer sows lost mean fewer resources spent on handling, replacement, and managing the gilts and their first litters.
This approach not only minimizes mortality but also enhances total system profitability by aligning genetic advancements with economic goals.
A Broader Perspective on Sow Mortality
While the economic implications of sow mortality are clear, there are also ethical and societal concerns. Understanding the root causes of sow mortality can provide producers with a broader perspective on improving herd welfare. For an in-depth exploration of sow mortality causes and ethical considerations, as well as other in-depths economical analysis, read our detailed article here.
Conclusion: Profitability Through Sustainable Genetics
Sow mortality poses a significant challenge to the swine industry. However, the right genetics and management strategies can transform this issue into an opportunity for growth.
Hypor’s sustainable breeding strategy demonstrate that reducing mortality is not only possible, but also profitable. By focusing on longevity, efficiency, and system-wide profitability, Hypor empowers producers to achieve better outcomes while meeting the demands of today’s market.
References
- Ekberg B. 2023. U.S. sow mortality trends continue to climb. MetaFarms. National Hog Farmer, https://www.nationalhogfarmer.com/livestock-management/u-s-sow-mortality-trends-continue-to-climb.
- Euken R. and Schulz L. 2022. Assessing Economic Opportunity of Improving Mortality Rate in Breed-to-Wean Swine Production. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. File B1-79.
- Vos M. 2021-2024. Global Hypor Libra Reproduction Performance 2020-2023. Internal Hypor reports. Unpublished.