ANR-683 IMPROVING SWINE REPRODUCTION
ANR-683, February 1994. By W. F. Owsley, Extension Animal Scientist,
and J. G. Floyd, Jr., Extension Veterinarian, in Animal
and Dairy Sciences, Auburn University.
| Improving Swine Reproduction |
Reproductive efficiency is a major limitation to profit in
farrow-to-finish and feeder-pig production units. A sow can produce
twenty-five pigs or more each year. Unfortunately, the average
sow in the United States produces fewer than sixteen pigs per
year. Improving reproductive efficiency reduces both overhead
(fixed) costs and feed costs per pig sold. Increasing the number
of pigs marketed per female will reduce the number of sows needed
or increase the total pigs marketed per year.
Reproduction in swine is like a jigsaw puzzle. The pieces include
nutrition, health, genetics, and environment. The manager provides
the frame for the puzzle. Production records make the puzzle visible.
If the frame or any piece is missing or out of place, the puzzle
is not complete and the potential for reproduction cannot be reached.
Without production records, you cannot see if reproduction problems
exist.
Review
Reproduction in the sow can be improved with selection, nutrition,
management, and health. The most important component is the producer.
He or she must take the time to keep records, monitor the feed
and breeding, keep facilities in good repair, and watch the health
status of the entire herd. The benefits of improving reproduction
are great, but time and work are necessary before they are realized.
The following publications are recommended:
"Swine
Diet Recommendations For Alabama," Extension Circular ANR-639.
"Controlling
Quality Of Farm Mixed Swine Feed," Extension Circular ANR-637.
"Swine
Herd Monitoring," Extension Circular ANR-673.
"Crossbreeding Systems For Swine," Extension Circular
ANR-617.
"Selection Guidelines For Commercial Pork Production,"
Extension Circular ANR-822.
Trade names are used only to give specific information.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System does not endorse or guarantee
any product and does not recommend one product instead of another that might be similar.
For more information, call your county Extension
office. Look in your telephone directory under your county's name
to find the number.
For more information, contact your county Extension office. Visit http://www.aces.edu/counties or look in your telephone directory under your county's name to find contact information.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and
home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related
acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama
Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn
University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal
opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color,
national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.
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