Ideal mating time
The optimal fertilization of a sow depends on several factors, among them, mating in a specific moment of the oestrus.
Page 5 of articles about prolificacy
ACMC: Gains in Spain
Two major awards for pig performance have been achieved by British breeding stock in Spain.
United Kingdom - British pig production still lags behind
Despite improvements in daily liveweight gain and pigs finished per sow, Britain still lags behind its European competition in the production stakes.
The latest figures from the BPEX publication on international cost of production show Britain produced 1643kg pig meat per sow in 2009 – the lowest of all the EU countries.
Dietary supplementation with 0.8% L-Arginine between days 0 and 25 of gestation reduces litter size in gilt
Dietary L-Arginine supplementation may negatively affect gilt reproductive performance.
The weaner as currency
The pig’s reproductive cycle lasts for 20 weeks, with weaning at 21 days: 16,5 gestation period + 3 lactating + average time on heat. Supposing that the sows wean 10 piglets, we can then come to the following conclusion: it takes two weeks to produce a piglet.
ACMC: Still potential to boost sow output
Rapid progress in sow productivity in commercial pig herds is still possible, according to Yorkshire-based pig-breeding company ACMC.
Sow parity structure (I)
One of the main goals for a sow herd is to achieve a correct homogeneity of the productive batches.
Effects of increasing feeding level during late gestation on sow and litter performance
Increase feeding level during late gestation does not improve sow or gilt performance
Dimension and design of the farrowing unit
The Danish pig producers’ research organisation has tested a number of different designs. They recommend pen dimensions of 2.7x1.8 m to accommodate modern prolific breeds.
What is the best age for weaning piglets? (2/3)
Normally the productivity of the sow is valued for the number of litters/sow/year multiplied by the number of weaned piglets per litter.
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ArticleBoar's reproductive pathology
Boars in an Artificial Insemination Centre are breeding a great number of sows. Using conventional insemination techniques, one single boar can be breeding from 350 to 800 times per year.
Alimentation of replacement sows
The entrance of gilts to the production system and the strategies followed up to the first lactation is of vital importance for the economic cost-effectiveness of sows since these strategies have a direct effect on the subsequent productivity and longevity