SOW MANAGEMENT ▶▶▶
Impact of a high feed allowance The most interesting results reflect the impact of a high feed al- lowance for sows rearing litters of low birth weight compared to litters of an average birth weight reared by sows on a low feed allowance. Birth weight had a major influence on pig performance after weaning, with average birth weight animals weighing heavier than low birth weight pigs throughout production, irrespective of sow feed allowance during lactation. With regard to the im- pact of sow feed intake, on average, pigs reared by sows with a high feed allowance were heavier at weaning. However, pigs reared on sows offered a low feed allowance showed “catch up” growth during the growing stage (four to ten weeks). This meant there was no difference in weight, feed intake or feed conversion between pigs, regardless of sow feed allow- ance, from 12 weeks to slaughter, and that the weight advantage at weaning was not retained.
Catching up with weaning weights An increase in sow feed intake during lactation will allow low birth weight piglets to achieve weaning weights similar to that
of average birth weight pigs reared under current commercial conditions. Pre-weaning mortality of low birth weight pigs can be reduced by almost 50% when reared by a sow who is eating up to an average of 7.5 kg/day over the lactation peri- od. Low birth weight pigs that achieved a good weaning weight can match the feed intake and feeding behaviour of heavier pigs in the finishing period. In general increased weight in pigs reared by sows offered a high feed allowance was not retained post-weaning. Howev- er, it is also noted that the slaughter weight and performance of low birth weight pigs reared on sows with a high feeding allowance was close to that of average birth weight pigs reared on sows with a low feeding allowance.
The study in Translational Animal Science (May 2020) was authored by Samuel J. Hawe, Alan Gordon and Elizabeth Magowan, AFBI, Hillsborough, Northern Ireland, UK; and Nigel Scollan, Queens University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. The study in Livestock Science (November 2020) was authored by the same scientists and Ramon Muns, also attached to AFBI Hillsborough.
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▶ PIG PROGRESS | Volume 37, No. 5/6, 2021
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