0
For an efficient pig production, sows with greater longevity and an ability to produce a large number of piglets with a high weaning weight are required. Moreover, in intensive farming, it is common to observe high culling rates, usually due to reduced lactation performance, reproductive problems after weaning and leg weakness. A large proportion of the sows culled are first and second parity sows, which is economically unfavorable. Therefore, gilt body condition is important in relation to sow performance and longevity. Different feeding strategies have been suggested to promote the optimal gilt body condition at first service. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of two different feeding strategies during rearing on gilt body condition and performance in the first lactation. For that purpose, 270 primiparous sows of commercial Danish Landrace x Danish Yorkshire were fed two different feed levels (restrictive/semi ad-libitum) during rearing in a group housing system. Litter size and weight, milk production and composition, lactation feed intake and body mobilization, and culling rate after weaning were recorded. Feeding strategies during rearing generated a large variation in body condition within both restrictively and semi ad-libitum fed gilts. However, semi ad-libitum fed gilts showed a higher backfat thickness at first service compared to restrictively fed gilts. Moreover, there was no effect of feeding strategy during rearing on the overall performance and culling rate post-weaning. Restrictively fed gilts produced litters with a higher BW than semi ad-libitum fed gilts (21.2 kg vs. 18.6 kg), whereas semi ad-libitum fed gilts showed a higher percentage of milk protein on days 14 (4.8%) and 21 (4.6%) of lactation compared to restrictively fed gilts (4.1 and 4.2%). In conclusion, differing feeding levels during rearing showed a large variation in body condition within each group, although semi ad-libitum fed gilts were fatter at first service. However, the higher backfat thickness of semi ad-libitum fed sows did not affect the overall performance and culling rate of gilts.
Klaaborg, J., Carl, T. N., Bruun, T. S., Strathe, A. V., Bache, J. K., Kristensen, A. R., and Amdi, C. (2019). The effect of feeding strategy during rearing in a commercial setting on gilt body condition, lactation performance and culling rate in modern sows nursing large litters. Livestock Science, 228, 144-150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2019.08.011
