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Herd-level factors associated with piglet weight at weaning, kilograms of piglets weaned per sow per year and sow feed conversion

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 January 2020

C. R. Pierozan Open the ORCID record for C. R. Pierozan [Opens in a new window] ,
M. A. Callegari ,
C. P. Dias ,
K. L. de Souza ,
J. Gasa Open the ORCID record for J. Gasa [Opens in a new window]  and
C. A. da Silva
C. R. Pierozan*
Affiliation:
Aluno de doutorado, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, Pr 445 Km 380, Campus Universitário, 86.057-970Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
M. A. Callegari
Affiliation:
Aluno de doutorado, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, Pr 445 Km 380, Campus Universitário, 86.057-970Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
C. P. Dias
Affiliation:
Akei Animal Research, Estrada Vicinal Fartura – Areias, Km 3, Bairro Três Saltos, 18870-000Fartura, São Paulo, Brazil
K. L. de Souza
Affiliation:
Aluna de graduação, Faculdades Integradas de Ourinhos, Rodovia BR-153 Km 338, Água do Cateto, 19909-100Ourinhos, São Paulo, Brazil
J. Gasa
Affiliation:
Department de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Plaça Cívica, 08193Bellaterra, Spain
C. A. da Silva
Affiliation:
Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, Pr 445 Km 380, Campus Universitário, 86.057-970Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
*
†E-mail: carlospierozan@hotmail.com
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Abstract

To understand the production factors that affect conclusive parameters of sow herd performance can improve the use of the resources and profitability of farm. The objective of this study was to identify associations and quantify the effects of a set of factors related to piglet weight at weaning (PWW), kilograms of piglets weaned per sow per year (kgPWSY) and sow feed conversion (SFC). Data from 150 farms were collected, for a total study population of 135 168 sows, including gilt replacement, breeding (mating), gestation and farrowing/lactation phases. A questionnaire focusing on reproductive performance, management, facilities, feeding, health and biosafety was administered. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess associations among factors with each of the three dependent variables. Increased duration of lactation was positively associated with PWW, kgPWSY and SFC. The increase in the number of live born pigs per litter was positively associated with kgPWSY and with SFC. Farms with higher PWW had farrowing room humidifiers, did not surgically castrate male piglets and used quaternary ammonia compounds for farrowing room disinfection. Farms with higher kgPWSY used lined ceilings in farrowing rooms and winter feeds with higher CP percentages in gestation; they also had more farrowings per sow per year. Sow feed conversion was worse in farms with partly slatted floors during gestation, in farms feeding lactating sows six times a day or ad libitum and farms with a higher sow-handler ratio. This study indicates that farms can increase PWW and kgPWSY and improve the SFC by changing one or more management, biosafety and feeding practices or facilities as well as by focusing on improving several performance parameters, particularly increasing the duration of lactation and the number of live born pigs per litter.

Keywords

breedingfeed efficiencymanagement proceduresreproductionswine
Type
Research Article
Information
animal , Volume 14 , Issue 6 , June 2020 , pp. 1283 - 1292
Copyright
© The Animal Consortium 2020

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