J. Anim Sci.
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

J. Anim Sci. 1967. 26:533-539.
© 1967 American Society of Animal Science
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Bowland, J. P.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Bowland, J. P.

Energetic Efficiency of the Sow1

J. P. Bowland2

University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada

Abstract

The high cost of producing weaned pigs is associated with low annual output of number and weight of pigs per sow, which means that high overhead costs are spread over too few kg. of marketed pork. To improve over-all efficiency of energy utilization, feed costs should be spread over more young pigs. The sow has a relatively high energetic efficiency during lactation, but this still results in low efficiency of sow feed conversion to piglet gain. The sow cannot compete with the direct conversion of feed energy to lean meat and fat. The most efficient over-all utilization of feed is to be obtained by giving as little as possible within the limits of normal reproductive performance during pregnancy, and as much as the sow requires for milk production during lactation, along with as much as possible directly to young pigs.

This review suggests that a system of feeding that attempts to maintain the true weight (total energy content of the body) of sows during lactation and to allow no gain in weight above that accounted for by the fetuses and fetal membranes during gestation would allow the maximum energetic efficiency. Changes in water balance during lactation and gestation and possible changes in fat-muscle ratios during these periods must not be confused with energy maintenance. For gilts, and possibly for second litter sows, an energy allowance for normal growth would also be required. To lower maintenance requirements, relatively low mature weights would be desirable. Direct energy conversion by the young pig by allowing it to eat as soon as possible should also be encouraged as an aid to total energetic efficiency.

Footnotes

1 Invited paper presented at the Nutrition Session, 58th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Animal Science, New Brunswick, New Jersey.

2 Department of Animal Science.






HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1967 by the American Society of Animal Science.