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Differences among Commercial Farms with High and Low
Sow Longevity
W.L. Flowers
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, N.C.
Developmental Period
It would be useful to know
to what degree management during the
Developmental and Functional Periods influence longevity;
and whether Interactions between the two are present.
Multiplication Farm
Low Longevity Farm8% sows farrow 6 litters
High Longevity Farm28% sows farrow 6 litters
Birth weight;Pre-weaning growth;Post weaning growth;Body composition; andResponse of vulva to low doses of gonadotropins @ 140 days of age.
WeaningRebreeding
Interval
Farrowing
Gestation
Lactation
Breeding
FunctionalPeriod
Estrous Scores ;Breeding Scores;Semen Handling & Quality;Farrowing management;Lactation feed intake;Sow weight changeSow body composition changes;Litter characteristics;Fostering management;Environmental parameters; and Feed quality.
Multiplication Farm
512 gilts (Spring replicate)
Low Longevity Farm256 gilts; rebred after P1
High Longevity Farm256 gilts; rebred after P1
Multiplication Farm
512 gilts (Spring replicate)
Characteristics of Gilts delivered to Commercial Sow Farms
230 lbs6 months of ageNo prior boar exposure on Multiplication Farm
Gilts not eligible for delivery included those having poor feet & legstructures, poor underlines, and infantile vulva.
Standard operating procedures for both farms are as follows:
first estrus, recorded but gilts not bred;
separate gilts with recorded estrus from non-estrus pool;
breed on second (or later) detected estrus;
after first insemination move into breeding crate; and
2 weeks after last insemination move to gestation crate.
Entry of Gilts on Farms until First Breeding
CWEST
Curtain - sides
NORTH
EAST
60 breeding stalls in front of 15breeding pens
60 breeding stalls in front of 15breeding pens
60 breeding stalls in front of 15breeding pens
60 breeding stalls in front of 15breeding pens
90 gestation stalls
90 gestation stalls
90 gestation stalls
90 gestation stalls
90 gestation stalls
90 gestation stalls
90 gestation stalls
90 gestation stalls
Exhaust fans – 4 ft. diameter
Curtain - sides
SOUTH
Evaporative cooling inlet – 6 ft. x 12 ft.(Cool Cell)
Fe
ma
les
rem
ain
ing
in p
rod
uctio
n (
%)
E = EntryB = Breeding - gilts F = FarrowingR = Rebreeding
Female Inventory Changes through Rebreeding after First Parity
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
F1
100
0
R1 F2 R2 F3 R3 F4 R4 F5 R5 F6E B
Production phase
p < 0.05*
*
Low Longevity
**
High Longevity
High Low Longevity Longevity
Gilts delivered to farm that are bred 93% 82%Gilts per pen (12 ft x 12 ft) 8 10High/Low temperatures in barn (oF) 84/68 83/64
Designated person – gilt estrus/breeding Yes NoGilt estrus/breeding separate from sows Yes YesDaily boar exposure per pen (min) 15 15
Heat, check boars – age (months) 14 > 24Heat, check boars – libido good moderatePeriodically collect heat check boars Yes No
Entry of Gilts on Farms until First Breeding – Farm Comparisons
Initial Reaction to Boar 1 – Standing reflex immediately2 – Standing reflex only after back pressure and handling
Maintenance of 1 – Solid without boar contactstanding reflex 2 – Solid only when boar is in front
3 – Fidgety even with boar in front
Acceptance of 1 – Sow takes semen smoothlySemen without technician’s help
2 – Sow takes semen with periodic help from technician3 – Technician has to work constantly to inseminate sow
Estrous and Breeding Scoring System
Acceptance of Semen
Estrous and Breeding Scores - Gilts
2 31
First Mating
High Longevity FarmLow Longevity Farm
Initial Reaction to Boar
Maintenance of Standing Reflex
First Detected Estrus
Initial Reaction to Boar
Maintenance of Standing Reflex
2 31
Initial Reaction to Boar 1 – Standing reflex immediately2 – Standing reflex only after back pressure and handling
Maintenance of 1 – Solid without boar contactstanding reflex 2 – Solid only when boar is in front
3 – Fidgety even with boar in front
Acceptance of 1 – Sow takes semen smoothlySemen without technician’s help
2 – Sow takes semen with periodic help from technician3 – Technician has to work constantly to inseminate sow
Estrous and Breeding Scoring System
Standard operating procedures for both farms are as follows:
keep sows in breeding crates for two weeks, then move them to gestation crates;
pregnancy detection is performed via real-time ultrasonography at 28 days post breeding;
feed levels are adjusted according to body condition as appropriate
Gestation Management of First Parity Sows
CWEST
Curtain - sides
NORTH
EAST
60 breeding stalls in front of 15breeding pens
60 breeding stalls in front of 15breeding pens
60 breeding stalls in front of 15breeding pens
60 breeding stalls in front of 15breeding pens
90 gestation stalls
90 gestation stalls
90 gestation stalls
90 gestation stalls
90 gestation stalls
90 gestation stalls
90 gestation stalls
90 gestation stalls
Exhaust fans – 4 ft. diameter
Curtain - sides
SOUTH
Evaporative cooling inlet – 6 ft. x 12 ft.(Cool Cell)
Fe
ma
les
rem
ain
ing
in p
rod
uctio
n (
%)
E = EntryB = Breeding - gilts F = FarrowingR = Rebreeding
Female Inventory Changes through Rebreeding after First Parity
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
F1
100
0
R1 F2 R2 F3 R3 F4 R4 F5 R5 F6E B
Production phase
p < 0.05*
*
Low Longevity
**
High Longevity
High Low Longevity Longevity
Gestation losses 9% 11%High/Low temperatures in barn (oF) 84/68 83/64
House gilts together when moved Yes NoSize of group when moving females 2 - 3 2 - 3Person doing moving Designated RandomMethod of moving Hands Cutting board
Body condition score prior to farrowing 3.3 3.3
Gestation Management of First Parity Sows – Farm Comparison
Standard operating procedures sows are moved into farrowing crates 3 days before their due date. P1 sows are not induced to farrow.
Farrowing Management of First Parity Sows
CWEST
Hall way
NORTH
EAST
Heater inside each room
SOUTH
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
1
Fe
ma
les
rem
ain
ing
in p
rod
uctio
n (
%)
E = EntryB = Breeding - gilts F = FarrowingR = Rebreeding
Female Inventory Changes through Rebreeding after First Parity
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
F1
100
0
R1 F2 R2 F3 R3 F4 R4 F5 R5 F6E B
Production phase
p < 0.05*
*
Low Longevity
**
High Longevity
High Low Longevity Longevity
P1 sows not rebred after first lactation 5% 12%High/Low temperatures in barn (oF) 84/71 83/70
Size of group when moving females 2 - 3 2 - 3Person doing moving Random RandomMethod of moving Hands Cutting boardSows farrowing in gestation barn < 1 % 5%
Sows assisted during farrowing 15% 3%Incidence of retained pigs or placenta < 1% 7%Incidence of post farrowing discharge 2% 2%
Farrowing Management of First Parity Sows – Farm Comparison
Standard operating procedures during lactation are as follows:
sows are fed two to 3 times daily to appetite;
pigs allowed to nurse birth sow for first 24 hours, then fostered as necessary;
pigs processed on day 1 and males castrated on day 3;
“bump weaning” does occur in order to meet weaning targets.
Lactation Management of First Parity Sows
High Low Longevity Longevity
P1 sows not rebred after first lactation 5% 12%High/Low temperatures in barn (oF) 84/71 83/70
Average lactation length (days) 19.3 17.8Weight loss during lactation (lbs) 65.1 73.4Body condition at weaning 2.3 2.4 Sows that experience a drop in feed intake 7.3% 15.9%“Bump weaned sows” 15% 20%
Number born alive 11.1 10.8Number born dead 0.8 0.9Pre-weaning mortality (%) 9.8 10.5Number weaned 10.0 9.7
Lactation Management of First Parity Sows – Farm Comparison
Standard operating procedures for both farms are as follows:
sows weaned into crates;
third day after weaning estrus detection begins;
sows backed out of crates each day into a pen with boarspenned on either side;
first mating occurs in pen;
subsequent matings done in crate with boar in front;
sows bred once each day of estrus.
Rebreeding Management
High Low Longevity Longevity
Gilts delivered to farm that are bred 5% 12%High/Low temperatures in barn (oF) 84/68 83/64
Designated person – breeding/estrus No NoSow estrus/breeding separate from gilts Yes Yes
Heat, check boars – age (months) 14 > 24Heat, check boars – libido good moderatePeriodically collect heat check boars Yes No
Rebreeding Management – Farm Comparisons
Acceptance of Semen
Estrous and Breeding Scores - Rebreeding
Mating in Pen
High Longevity FarmLow Longevity Farm
Initial Reaction to Boar
Maintenance of Standing Reflex
2 31
Acceptance of Semen
Mating in Crate
Initial Reaction to Boar
Maintenance of Standing Reflex
2 31
Initial Reaction to Boar 1 – Standing reflex immediately2 – Standing reflex only after back pressure and handling
Maintenance of 1 – Solid without boar contactstanding reflex 2 – Solid only when boar is in front
3 – Fidgety even with boar in front
Acceptance of 1 – Sow takes semen smoothlySemen without technician’s help
2 – Sow takes semen with periodic help from technician3 – Technician has to work constantly to inseminate sow
Estrous and Breeding Scoring System
Multiplication Farm
Low Longevity Farm8% sows farrow 6 litters
High Longevity Farm28% sows farrow 6 litters
Gilt
s de
live
red
to fa
rms
bu
t no
t bre
d (
%)
6
12
18
0
2.6 – 3.5 lbs > 3.6 lbs< 2.5 lbs
Birth Weight Categories
Low Longevity
p < 0.05
*
*
Interaction of Birth Weight of Gilts with Farm Retention
High Longevity
*
Fe
ma
les
rem
ain
ing
in p
rod
uctio
n (
%)
E = EntryB = Breeding - gilts F = FarrowingR = Rebreeding
Female Inventory Changes through Rebreeding after First Parity
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
F1
100
0
R1 F2 R2 F3 R3 F4 R4 F5 R5 F6E B
Production phase
p < 0.05*
*
Low Longevity
**
High Longevity
Some aspects of fetal developmentprobably respond the same way to competition
as pig growth in “crowded pens”.
6 developing fetuses12 developing fetuses
Piglet Birth Weight (lbs)ReproductivePerformance 2.0 – 2.8 > 3.5
Age at puberty (days) 188 + 8 170 + 6
Ovulation rate 12.9 + 0.6 15.3 + 0.7
Embryonic survival (%) 69 + 7 83 + 6
Birth Weight and Reproductive Performance of Gilts
(Flowers, unpublished)
Developmental Period
Low Longevity Farm8% sows farrow 6 litters
High Longevity Farm28% sows farrow 6 litters
Large differences in gilts delivered to farms, but not bred.
High Longevity Farm has designated gilt estrus detectiontechnician and appears to have better heat check boarmanagement.
Qualitative assessment of standing reflex and subsequent mating quality is better on High compared with Low Longevityfarm.
Low Longevity Farm8% sows farrow 6 litters
High Longevity Farm28% sows farrow 6 litters
Small differences in females that fall out during first gestation.
High Longevity Farm has designated person to move gilts from breeding to gestation areas and move fewer animals ata time compared with Low Longevity Farm.
Low Longevity Farm8% sows farrow 6 litters
High Longevity Farm28% sows farrow 6 litters
Large differences in P1 sows that farrow, but don’t rebreed.
High Longevity Farm more aggressive assisting sows duringfarrowing and has lower incidence of retained pigs comparedwith Low Longevity Farm
Low Longevity Farm8% sows farrow 6 litters
High Longevity Farm28% sows farrow 6 litters
Large differences in P1 sows that farrow, but don’t rebreed.
Sows on High Longevity Farm have longer lactations; a lowerincidence of short periods of reduced feed intake althoughbody weight and body condition losses appear to be similarbetween the two farms.
Low Longevity Farm8% sows farrow 6 litters
High Longevity Farm28% sows farrow 6 litters
Large differences in P1 sows that farrow, but don’t rebreed.
High Longevity Farm appears to have better heat check boarmanagement.
Qualitative assessment of standing reflex and subsequent mating quality is better on High compared with Low LongevityFarm for the subsequent mating in stalls.
Multiplication Farm
There probably is a minimum birth weight below which gilts simply don’t have the reproductive machinery to function adequately as adults no matter how well they are managed subsequently.
Graduate Students Undergraduate StudentsDr. Jean Popwell Dr. Chad Smith
Dr. Lauren Job
Charlotte Meli Emily ToskyDr. Brad Belstra Dr. Patrick O’QuinnJennifer Griffin Dr. Catherine HefleyDr. Kara Stewart Dr. Kyle Lovercamp Dr. Lisa Thompson Frances Turner Kristey Kenney
Grayson Taylor
Sara Shute Nikhol GarbacikShelley Swing Stefani Garbacik
Growth Measures R2 P value
Weaning weight (lbs) 0.12 (12%) 0.09
Pre-weaning gain (lbs) 0.22 (22%) 0.03
Post weaning gain (lbs) 0.07 ( 7%) 0.15
Total growth 0.41 (41%)
Other factors 0.59 (59%)
Association of Growth Characteristics with Longevity
(Flowers et al., in press)
Effect of Neonatal Environment on Female Response to Early Boar Exposure
Neonatal Environment
Variables < 7 pigs > 10 pigs
Proportion of gilts in estrus 77.0 53.028 days after exposure (%)
Average number born 11.3 10.8alive – early responders
Average number born 10.3 10.2alive – late responders
(Flowers et al., in press)*
*
†
†
p < 0.08p < 0.05
LH, FSH
Estrogens
+
LH, FSH
Estrogens
Positive responseat 140 days of age
No responseat 140 days of age
Fe
ma
les
rem
ain
ing
in p
rod
uctio
n (
%)
E = EntryB = Breeding - gilts F = FarrowingR = Rebreeding
Interaction of Birth Weight of Gilts with Farm Retention
90
(Flowers, unpublished)
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
F1
100
0
R1 F2 R2 F3 R3 F4 R4 F5 R5 F6E B
Production phase
2.6 - 3.5 lbs
< 2.5 lbs
> 3.6 lbs
There probably is a minimum birth weight below which gilts simply don’t have the reproductive machinery to function adequately as adults no matter how well they are managed subsequently.
While most of the follicles on the ovaries are presentat birth they begin to acquire their functional competence during the next 30 days – most of whichoccurs during their nursing period.
Producers have very little control prospectively over birth weight, but
can affect pre-weaning growth.
< 7 pigs nursing> 10 pigs nursing
Far
row
ing
rate
(%) 90
80
70
60
2
100
0
3 4 5 61
Sow ParityN
umbe
r Bor
n A
live
11
10
9
2
12
0
3 4 5 61
Sow Parity
> 10 piglets (10.5 + 0.2)
< 7 piglets (11.0 + 0.1)
p < 0.07
> 10 piglets (83.3%)
< 7 piglets (88.7%)
p < 0.05
Reproductive Performance and Neonatal Litter Size
Reducing competition during the neonatal periodenhances early ovarian development which improvedlongevity.
What can we measure during this period to accuratelyassess growth and development of gilts?
So
ws
that
pro
du
ced
6 li
tters
(%
)Interactions between Birth Weight and Neonatal Litter Size
(Flowers, unpublished)
40
30
20
10
50
0
2.6 – 3.5 lbs > 3.6 lbs< 2.5 lbs
Birth Weight Categories
> 10 piglets
< 7 piglets
p < 0.05
*
*
*
Growth Measures R2 P value
Weaning weight (lbs) 0.06 ( 6%) 0.14
Pre-weaning gain (lbs) 0.14 (14%) 0.04
Pre-weaning gain / 0.22 (22%) 0.001
birth weight (%)
Total Growth 0.42 (42%)
Other factors 0.58 (58%)
Association of Growth Characteristics with Longevity
(Flowers, unpublished)
Pre-weaning growth and pre-weaning growth relative to birth weight appear to have positive associationswith sow longevity and lifetime productivey
The best physiological test for longevity would besomething that mimics what the mature sow asked required to do effectively each parity.
Gilt
s ex
hib
itin
g vu
lvar
sw
elli
ng (
%)
Effect of Neonatal Litter Size on Response to PG600
80
60
40
20
100
100
0
120 140 16080
Age of gilts (days)
> 10 piglets
< 7 piglets
p < 0.05
*
* *
*
Strategic use of commercially available gonado-tropins might be a way to screen for gilts capableof early puberty without using a boar.
Developmental Period
151413121110
98
0
Num
ber
Bor
n A
live
10 20 30 40 50
Litter Birth Weight (lbs)
Relationship between Number Born Aliveand Litter Birth Weights
151413121110
98
0
Num
ber
Bor
n A
live
10 20 30 40 50
Litter Birth Weight (lbs)
Number Born Alive and Litter Birth Weights
2.5 lb birthweight
Market animals ?
PotentialReplace-ment gilts
151413121110
98
0
Num
ber
Bor
n A
live
10 20 30 40 50
Litter Birth Weight (lbs)
Number Born Alive and Litter Birth Weights
2.5 lb birthweight
Replace-ment gilts
3.6 lb birthweight
StrategicCrossfostering
Characteristics of Source
Delivered to farm ready to breed 58 %Purchased from external source 5 %Internal multiplication program 53 %
Delivered to farm prior to breeding age 40 %
Weaned piglets 12 %
Nursery pigs 28 %
No outside delivery – produced on farm 2 %
Source of Replacement Gilts for Commercial Farms in N.C.
(Flowers, unpublished)
Developmental Period
Periodic assessmentof managementduring development.