Associations between Sow Body Condition with Subsequent Reproductive Performance

Abstract

The objective was to quantify relationships between sow body condition and subsequent reproduction. Multiparous sows were measured at breeding (n = 1571) and farrowing (n = 887) on a commercial farm in eastern North Carolina. Sow body condition measures included: sow body condition caliper (CS), weight (BW), backfat, longissimus muscle area (LMA) and visual body condition score (BCS). Sow production traits were: number born alive (NBA), litter birth weight (LBW), number weaned (NW), piglet survival (PS), litter weaning weight (LWW), wean-to-conception interval (WCI), farrowing rate and lactation average daily feed intake. Data were analyzed in SAS using PROC GLM for continuous traits and PROC GLIMMIX for categorical traits. Breeding CS had a curvilinear relationship (P < 0.05) with NBA, LBW, NW, PS and WCI, with a CS of 15 being optimal for NBA, NW and PS and 14 ideal for LBW and WCI. Breeding LMA had a curvilinear relationship (P < 0.05) with PS, with 51.5 cm 2 maximizing survival. Breeding BCS had a curvilinear relationship (P < 0.05) with NBA, LBW, NW, PS and WCI, with 3.2 being optimal for NBA, NW and WCI and 3.0 ideal for LBW and PS. Farrowing CS had a curvilinear relationship (P < 0.05) with NW and PS, with 15 being optimal. Farrowing BCS had a curvilinear relationship (P < 0.05) with NW and PS, with 3.6 being ideal. Farrowing BW had a curvilinear relationship (P < 0.05) with LWW and PS, with a BW of 220 and 210 kg, respectively, being optimal. Farrowing LMA had a curvilinear relationship (P < 0.05) with WCI, with 51.6 cm 2 being ideal. Results provide sow body condition targets to maximize reproductive throughput. The present study suggests feeding sows to a target sow body condition caliper score of 14 to 15 (representing a back angle of 130˚ to 132.5˚) to maximize sow productivity.