Understanding the drivers of improved pig weaning weight by investigation of colostrum intake, sow lactation feed intake, or lactation diet specification1

Abstract

Modern sows have low feed intake (FI) during lactation. The main aim of this study was to understand interactions between and separate effects of FI and nutrient density on litter weaning weight (WW). Key drivers of colostrum intake (CIn), piglet survival, WW, and colostrum yield (CY) were also investigated. Sows ( = 82) were offered a High (15.8 MJ/kg DE; 1.3% total lysine) or Normal (15.2 MJ/kg DE; 1.28% total lysine) specification lactation diet at either a High (feed allowance increased by 0.5 kg/d after farrowing until intake reached 10 kg/d) or Low (feed allowance was increased by 0.3 kg/d after farrowing until intake reached 7.5 kg/d) feeding level (2 × 2 factorial design). A subset of sows ( = 18) were observed during farrowing to collect data on factors affecting CIn. No interactions were found between diet specification and feeding level. Sows on the Low feeding level lost 10.6 kg more BW during lactation than those on the High feeding level ( < 0.001). Sows offered the High specification diet lost 6.4 kg more BW than those on the Normal specification diet ( = 0.018). Diet specification had no effect on ADFI. Between birth and weaning, litters of sows offered the High feeding level grew 326 g/d faster ( < 0.001) and were heavier at 28 d (114 kg; < 0.001) compared with those of sows offered the Low feeding level (104 kg). Although litters from sows offered the High specification diet had WW similar to that of litters from sows offered the Normal specification diets, their ADG was 190 g/d greater ( = 0.018) between birth and weaning. A regression analysis was completed using data from 192 sows and indicated that FI and lysine intake throughout lactation and DE and lysine intake from 14 to 28 d of lactation were the main drivers of litter WW. Lactation efficiency was 0.65 from 0 to 7 d and decreased to 0.42 from 21 to 28 d. Variation in CIn was mainly explained by 24-h weight, birth weight, and the duration of farrowing. Colostrum yield was significantly correlated ( = 0.004; pseudo = 54.5%) with litter birth weight. Piglet WW was positively correlated with 3-wk weight ( < 0.001) but negatively correlated with sow parity ( = 0.035), number born alive ( = 0.045), and being female ( < 0001). Out of 45 variables, preweaning piglet survival was positively correlated ( = 0.008) with only 24- to 48-h weight gain. In conclusion, lactation FI and DE and lysine intake in the second half of lactation were the main drivers of litter WW.

The Effect of Dietary Oil Type and Energy Intake in Lactating Sows on the Fatty Acid Profile of Colostrum and Milk, and Piglet Growth to Weaning

“…6 Total MUFA-monounsaturated fatty acids. 7 Total PUFA-polyunsaturated fatty acids. 8 Total n-3 PUFA-omega 3 fatty acids polyunsaturated fatty acids.…”

“…Park et al [6] found that a high energy diet (14.7 MJ/kg DE) in lactation reduced sow body weight and back-fat loss and increased piglet growth to weaning compared to a low energy diet (14.2 MJ/kg DE). Craig et al [7] also reported an increase in litter average daily gain when a high energy diet (15.8 MJ/kg DE) was offered compared to a 'normal' diet (15.2 MJ/kg DE). However, feed intake in sows commonly plateaus in late lactation due to limited gut capacity.…”

Sow behavior on the day of farrowing: The main determinant of early piglet growth among maternal ability traits

“…Growth during the rst days after birth can determine subsequent piglet survival and growth. Indeed, survival of piglets during lactation is correlated with piglet weight gain in the rst 48 hours after birth 29 . In addition, piglet survival is lower when colostrum intake is not su cient 30 .…”

Association of rs81471943 and reproductive traits reveals EXOC4 as novel molecular breeding marker in pigs

“…Studies have found that the positive selections of Duroc are associated with specific genes related to lactation [4], reproduction [5] , meat quality [6], and growth traits [7]. Other studies have reported that the reproductive traits such as number of piglets born alive (NBA) [8], lactation capacity, litter weight at weaning (LWW) [9], and number of piglets weaned (NW) [10] all have been genetically improved through phenotypic or selective signatures.…”