e procedures that may include vaccinations, feed and/or water medications, parasite control programs, and use of animals or material from the main herd.
Because of the high cost of replacement animals and its effect on overall cost of production, it is very important to have a system in place to procure a compatible source of animals and then to provide procedures that allow them to maximize the lifetime productivity.
Nutrition and housing affect sow productivity. Body condition scoring done on a regular basis can help producers maintain consistent and proper body condition. Specific feeding programs based on genetics of the animal and the stage of the reproductive cycle help to attain high productivity.
Sows housed in outdoor facilities in groups usually require more energy and other nutrients just for maintenance, especially in cold weather.
Breeding Sows High herd productivity only occurs if sows get pregnant, stay pregnant and farrow healthy pigs. Thus, breeding sows is a very important component. More importantly, sows only get pregnant if the producer can routinely determine when sows are in heat and get semen into that sow at the right time.
Producers using boars must allow direct contact of the boar with the sows. Mating only occurs if the sow stands to be serviced. Herds using 100% artificial insemination to breed sows require much more precision to accomplish similar pregnancy (farrowing) rates.
After breeding, sows should not be moved, mixed or stressed for a period of time to prevent loss of early pregnancies.
Regular heat detection should detect sows returning to heat. Therefore, every farm should implement a system to determine every sow's status regularly. Those procedures include boar exposure, pregnancy checking by machine, and visual evaluation.
Proper nutrition and feeding schedules should be followed at each stage of pregnancy. The type of housing provided for the sows will dictate the methods needed or used to keep track of sow reproductive status and the follow-up procedures required.
Farrowing Care Herds achieving high pigs per sow per year generally have a well-trained farrowing house staff. This level of care begins the instant a sow arrives in the farrowing area. The demeanor of staff can affect the farrowing process, which frequently determines how sows will effectively lactate and consume feed.
After farrowing, the staff must properly foster and size pigs to optimize litter numbers to each sow. Pig processing, treatments, environmental control, cleaning practices and feeding of sows are very important. One inconsistent process or unsanitary procedure can reduce the number or size of pigs weaned.
Herd health issues can affect overall sow productivity. Each farm should have a medical plan that has been uniquely designed by the attending veterinarian. Many diseases affect a herds' productivity. Be sure that every farm has a medical plan.