THERE is increasing evidence that higher feeding levels in early gestation improves pig reproduction, especially in younger sows.
This was one of the key messages from Pork CRC chief executive officer Roger Campbell’s talk at the Australian Pork Limited/Pork CRC Roadshow held at Tanunda on Friday.
Feeding levels at 2.7 kilograms a day to 3kg/day, up to days 28 or 30 of gestation, were recommended.
“While there’s plenty of evidence to suggest changing to a higher feed level in early gestation, it’s difficult to find any positive reasons for increased feed intake in late gestation,” Dr Campbell said.
A Dutch study of 145 crossbred sows looked at three different treatments.
One had a control of 2.5kg/day of feed, the other was 3.5kg/day of feed and the third was 2.5kg/day of feed, but with added protein and 30 per cent more amino acids. With the first treatment the average amount of piglets born was 13.2. The added protein treatment resulted in 13.6 piglets born.
But the clear winner was the 3.5kg/day of feed, which resulted in 15.6 piglets born.
It was also important to maintain bodyweight during a sow’s lactation. “For every kilogram of bodyweight loss in lactation, the subsequent litter size is reduced by 0.4 piglets,” Dr Campbell said.
“For every one millimetre loin depth lost in lactation the subsequent litter size is reduced by 1.8 piglets.”
Another speaker Tom Braun, Myora Farm, Mount Gambier, said the best-performing sows in his family’s pig enterprise could be compared to legendary swimmer Michael Phelps. He said while they had genetic advantages that made them perform well, the optimum environment was also crucial to their success.
“If you look at the traits of our best-performing sow, it has an average of 12 pigs born alive,” he said.
“The average combined litter birthweight is 26kg, which is more than 2kg a piglet. By the time the piglets are 21 days they weigh a combined 127kg, or an average of 10.58kg.
“Pre-farrowing the sow weighed 260kg, yet its total milk production is 512kg, or 200pc of its bodyweight.”
The sow is producing an average of 20.5kg of milk/day, and 28kg of milk/day at its peak lactation phase.
“This pig has attributes that set it apart, such as extra body length,” he said.
“But the genetic attributes are not the only contributing factor to her great success and results.
“Our support programs allow it to reach its genetic potential.”
Mr Braun said Myora Farm identified an animal’s genetic potential when designing its nutritional program, using objective measurement tools like PIGBLUP – a PC-based genetic evaluation system for pigs.
