Farms.com Home   News

Improving Sow Longevity Offers Opportunity to Improve Productivity

By Bruce Cochrane

A professor with the University of Minnesota says, by increasing the longevity of the sow, pork producers have an opportunity to improve productivity and profitability.

Sow Longevity in the Herd will be discussed as part of the 2015 Manitoba Swine Seminar slated for today and tomorrow in Winnipeg.

Dr. John Deen, a professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota, says the sow lasts on average two to two and a half parities so scientists are looking at sow longevity as an opportunity to improve productivity and possibly the welfare of the sows.

Dr. John Deen-University of Minnesota:
Normally the reproductive lifecycle of the sow means that she increases in productivity and quality of the litter until about third parity and then it goes down with less consistency of the piglets and we see it decrease to the level at the sixth or seventh parity where the sow normally should be removed.
There's two main implications.

The first is that there are real economic costs to the herd owner of not fully utilizing the sow's potential capability of producing six or seven litters and thus there are extra costs involved in replacing that sow.
Second and what we argue is even a more major cost is the cost associated with removing that sow due to low productivity.

The fact that it takes awhile to identify sows in the herd that are at unacceptable levels of productivity means that we're lowering the overall herd's capability to produce pigs and that is actually the bigger cost in most of our herds.

Dr. Deen says conditions such as lameness and other injuries are associated with lower longevity and need to be monitored not only on the basis of effects upon bottom line but also effects upon the sows themselves.

Source: Farmscape


Trending Video

"Holden Farms: Swine Hall of Fame Journey 2024 | Exclusive Interview

Video: "Holden Farms: Swine Hall of Fame Journey 2024 | Exclusive Interview

Get ready for an exclusive Hall of Fame Induction interview featuring Swine Hall of Fame inductees Kent and Barry Holden, esteemed 2024 co-inductees into the Swine Web Hall of Fame. Join us on this insightful journey as they share the roots of Holden Farms, their passion for pig farming, and the evolution of their family-oriented approach. Hear heartwarming sibling tales, pivotal moments in realizing their vision, and the keys to success amidst adversity. Gain unique insights into the cultural foundation shaping Holden Farms' future, and discover unheard stories from behind the scenes. Don't miss their powerful messages for the next generation entering the industry and reflections on the honor of being inducted into the Hall of Fame.