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Effect of Reduced Farrowing Interval on Sow Productivity¹

Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station³, Ames

Abstract

The reproductive efficiency of sows mated by 15 days after a short lactation (average of 20 days) was compared to the performance of sows mated subsequent to 15 days after weaning. In the first experiment, conception rate was low for sows that were pen-mated by 15 days after weaning. Normal conception rate was attained when sows were hand-mated in small groups in the second experiment. Total number of pigs and number of live pigs farrowed by the sows that conceived by 15 days after early weaning was significantly reduced in both experiments. Average birth-weight and gain from birth to weaning were increased significantly in the litters farrowed by the sows conceiving by 15 days after weaning in the first experiment, but this was largely due to the reduced litter size and heavier birthweights in these litters. The number of pigs weaned was not influenced by the estrus of conception in either experiment.

¹ Journal Paper No. J-5961 of the Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames. Project No. 1511.

² Present Address: Animal Sciences Department, University of Kentucky, Lexington.

³ Department of Animal Science.