Adisseo’s Rovabio Excel gets approval from EU for use in sows

The European Union has granted Rovabio Excel, the Non-Starch Polysaccharide enzyme of Adisseo, the authorization for use in sows, from one week before farrowing to weaning.
Employing Rovabio Excel in lactating sows’ diets leads to a decreased loss of body weight, backfat and better feed intake during lactation, according to the company. With an estimated return on investment between 20:1 and 40:1, depending on swine prices, Rovabio Excel is a valuable new tool to benefit the swine industry, constantly operating with tight profit margins.
A meta-analysis was conducted, involving 6 trials, 640 sows run at various university locations all over the world. This meta-analysis demonstrated an average reduction of 3 kg (more than 20 percent) of body weight loss of sows receiving a standard diet including Rovabio Excel across a wide range of environmental and housing conditions, diet formulations and breeds. Similar results were obtained in high NSP diets (wheat, barley) and low NSP diets (corn).
Body loss of sows during lactation is a key indicator used to anticipate the impact on subsequent sow prolificity, longevity and length of weaning to estrus interval.
A trial performed at the Prairie Swine Centre (Canada) with lactating sows confirmed the interest of using an NSP enzyme in the lactating sow’s diet. There was a reduction in weight loss during lactation (-1.7 kg) and backfat loss after weaning (-0.5 mm).
The positive effect was more important on first parity, which would be expected to have a positive impact on future reproductive performance of sows and productive longevity in the herd.

Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientist investigating benefits of glutamate

Texas A&M AgriLife researcher Guoyao Wu has been researching the benefits of glutamate in sow diets.
Glutamate, an abundant amino acid found in milk and meat, is getting a closer look by Dr. Guoyao Wu, a Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientist and distinguished professor in the department of animal science at Texas A&M University. Wu's research suggests a diet containing sufficient glutamate can aid both animals and humans.
Glutamate can aid the production of milk by lactating females (for example pigs and women), while improving breeding success rates of sows and providing nutrition in newborn pigs.
"When I first came to Texas A&M, everyone in the field of animal nutrition knew about amino acids, but there was no data on glutamate," Wu said. "That's why I wanted to develop methods for glutamate analysis and gather data, while conducting my primary research on biochemistry and nutrition of protein and amino acids."
Glutamate was also in the spotlight in October 2013 in Galveston at the 13th International Congress on Amino Acids, Peptides and Proteins.
"There were more than 200 people from 34 countries attending," Wu said. "That's where glutamate really began to be discussed more in-depth among nutrition scientists. We walked away with some great ideas and momentum going forward."
Most recently, Wu discussed the merits of glutamate as a functional amino acid for animals and humans at a conference on December 12 in New York, "Frontiers in Agricultural Sustainability: Studying the Protein Supply Chain to Improve Dietary Quality."
Sow's milk is rich in free glutamine and glutamate. Wu said these two amino acids, together with branched-chain amino acids and proline, are important to stimulate protein synthesis and mammary growth.
The gut plays a key role in determining the provision of dietary amino acids to extra-intestinal tissues in animals, Wu said.
"It's (widely) believed that glucose is the only energy source for the gut, but it is not true," Wu said. "It's glutamate, along with its metabolites glutamine and aspartate. Until recently, Texas approved glutamate as a supplement for animal use, and its benefits are that it aids lactating, weanling and pregnant animals."
Wu said another component of his research will include incorporating glutamate into diets of lactating mothers. He gave a presentation recently at Japan's Kumamoto International Conference on Breastfeeding. He said that worldwide breastfeeding among women with infants is less than 50 percent.
"Glutamate accounts for 10 percent of amino acids in milk protein," he said. "That's why I think it is all tied to diet."
To increase lactation and get more glutamate in the gut, Wu said foods rich with glutamate such as seafood, meat and pork feet can be consumed.
Scientists at Ajinomoto Inc. (Japan) found that glutamate also improves appetite. The human tongue has receptors for glutamate, Wu said.
Meanwhile, in Wu's laboratory in College Station, he has developed new enzymatic methods to determine glutamate in proteins of foods such as meat, milk and plant products. After hydrolysis by digestive enzymes, the samples are run through a High Performance Liquid Chromatography machine to separate and quantify glutamate.
"Glutamate has many benefits for humans, specifically lactating females," Wu said.
Though there are concerns that sodium glutamate in diets is bad for animals and humans, he said, moderate levels of this nutrient from dietary supplementation or protein can be beneficial. Results of recent studies by Wu and colleagues at Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory indicate that dietary supplementation with as high as 4 percent sodium glutamate (4 grams sodium glutamate per 100 grams food) is safe in growing pigs.
Wu said there's also a misconception that dietary glutamate causes brain injury.
"It's not true," he said. "Almost all of glutamate in the diet is catabolized by the small intestine to fulfill its important physiological and nutritional functions. In pigs and humans, very little dietary glutamate enters the blood circulation. This is very different than the direct injection of glutamate into the brain, which bypasses intestinal metabolism."
Wu said he plans to continue his glutamate research with weanling, lactating and gestating swine, and study how glutamate enhances protein synthesis in the small intestine and mammary tissue. He also wants to broaden the work to include human lactation and infant formula.

Vitamins may help sows reach third parity

Vitamin supplementation for sows to maintain strong structure and enable maximum reproductive capabilities is more important today than ever before. Due to changes in facilities, fewer ration ingredients and increased production capabilities, vitamins must be supplied to sows through the ration.[1]
"On average, sows don't have enough litters to reach their break-even point financially until the third parity, so we have a big opportunity for increasing profitability in the industry," says Jon Bergstrom, senior technical support manager for DSM Nutritional Products. Citing research that shows the average breeding sow achieves only 2.5 litters in her lifetime with nearly 30 percent of replacements gilts failing to produce a single litter.[2]
Vitamins play an integral role in creating and maintaining bone, muscle, internal organs, blood, and other tissues and fluids of the body; however, the optimum levels of essential vitamins needed for growth and performance are not often found in commercial swine rations. The National Swine Nutrition Guide recommends adding 11 vitamins to sow diets, which are divided into two groups: fat soluble (vitamins A, D, E and K) and water soluble (riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, choline, biotin, vitamin B12, and folic acid).[3]
Bergstrom says that it is a combination of these essential vitamins that helps sows perform to their full potential. In particular, Vitamin D₃ can help build and maintain strong skeletons which prevent lameness and promote reproductive capabilities; Vitamin E is essential for an effective immune system; and Vitamin A can help sows return to estrus and produce healthier piglets.
"In the past, vitamin requirements have been primarily based on studies designed to determine levels which would prevent deficiencies," he says. "In order to have optimum production, you need to provide vitamins at levels far above what's required merely to prevent nutritional deficiencies and diseases."
Several industry groups have updated their recommendations for vitamin feeding levels to help sows reach their full potential.
"We need to feed vitamins that are high-quality and that maintain their stability, so the vitamins haven't deteriorated and provide the intended levels of supplementation when the animal consumes the feed," he says. "Talk with your nutritionist to determine which vitamins best fit your operation. Feeding the vitamins at the optimum levels will enable sows to more closely achieve their genetic potential for lifetime reproductive performance and productivity."
[1] "Vitamins." North Carolina State University. http://www.ncsu.edu/project/swine_extension/nutrition/nutritionguide/vitamins/vitamins.htm. 14 August 2013.
[2] "Breeding performance in swine." DSM Nutritional Products. http://www.dsm.com/markets/anh/en_US/species/species-swine/species-swine-breedingperformance.html. 14 August 2013.
[3] "Trace minerals and vitamins for swine diets." National Swine Nutrition Guide. http://www.usporkcenter.org/FileLibrary/External/USPCE/NSNG/NSNG-Vitamins%20and%20Trace%20Minerals%281%29.pdf. 14 August 2013.

Combating sow lameness with nutrition, early detection

Sow lameness in the US pig industry accounts for the culling of more gilts and first-parity sows - up to 50 percent of the sow herd according to some estimates - than all other production factors combined. Producers can help prevent sow lameness by monitoring and treating lame sows and preventing problems through proper nutrition programs.
In addition to higher culling rates, lameness can affect joint, muscle and skeletal development and its stress on the sow is shown to influence reproduction through longer wean-to-estrus intervals, more non-productive sow days, smaller litter size, fewer pigs weaned and poor fertility Decreased feed consumption caused by lameness can also lead to issues due to decreased body condition scores.
Early cases of lameness may be illustrated through: shortened stride, uneven steps and stiff joints; obvious head bobbing while walking; swaggering of the hindquarters; arched back while walking; reduced weight bearing on affected limbs or reluctance to move.
Claw lesions are commonly found on 15 to 40 percent of developing gilts. Inflammatory lesions cause pain and stress, directly impacting the animal's performance. Though there are treatment options, preventing sow lameness before it occurs is a producer's best bet-sow nutrition plays a large role in a lameness prevention program.
"Research has demonstrated that feeding amino acid complexes helps to improve horn quality, decrease claw lesions and prevent a decline in reproductive response among young sows," says Mark Wilson, Ph.D., reproductive physiologist at Zinpro Corp. "Feeding a combination of zinc, manganese and copper as amino acid complexes helps foot health and reproductive performance of gilts and sows."
Zinc is responsible for corium health, wound healing and sole, heel and wall horn strength and elasticity. Manganese strengthens density of joints, tendons and bones. Copper is important for connective tissue, white line health and sole, heel and wall horn strength and elasticity.
"Growth and reproduction are physiological processes that are innately intertwined with the immune system," says Wilson. "Adding zinc, manganese and copper as amino acid complexes to the diet decreases the duration of damaging inflammatory responses, and the result is a positive change in herd feed conversion and improved piglet growth and performance."

Proper sow nutrition improves piglet quality

Pig nutritionists need to help producers improve piglet quality in order to wean more pigs from larger litters born, while geneticists look after piglet quantity, according to Professor Sandra Edwards at the BPEX Innovation Conference, speaking about sow nutrition.
Sandra highlighted a number of ways to improve piglet quality by the way we feed sows, from weaning right through to the end of pregnancy.
"Fermentable diets, including dextrose or lactose, have been found to produce more mature eggs, higher birthweights, lower birthweight variability and lower mortality," she said.
"We need to feed sows to improve the quality of the placenta and thus the number of embryos implanted. Poorer quality placentas with poorer nutrient supply to the piglets are also linked to stillborns, which have been found to be longer and thinner."
"Arginine and glutamine supplementation can help increase placental quality, which reduces birthweight variation as well as the number of piglets less than 1.1kg. Essential fatty acid, DHA, fed in the last month of pregnancy can help reduce stillbirths despite sows having a longer farrowing duration."
Piglet vitality immediately after birth is also important; it is not just about birthweight. Early suckling for colostrum intake is important to wean a strong litter.
"Also, I think the pig industry should look into transition diets to ensure sows can produce the colostrum and milk needed to rear larger litters," Sandra said. "We need to talk to our dairy industry colleagues about this.
To view the video of Sandra's presentation and those of the other speakers, go to www.bpex.org.uk/news/events/innovation/presentations.aspx

Are 30 pigs per sow feasible?

Producers and industry representatives discussed the feasibility of the U.S. pig industry reaching 30 pigs per sow per year at the Feeding for 30 Forum at World Pork Expo. Pig farmers highlighted areas that have helped them move closer to 30 pigs per sow per year.
Areas of focus include: full-feeding sows through lactation, increased attention to birth weights and colostrum, and piglet care immediately after farrowing. The producer panelists have current pigs per sow per year rates between 26 and 30.4 and together manage close to 30,000 sows. The panel was comprised of three producers nearing 30 pigs per sow per year and three industry representatives involved with sow nutrition and management.
"The panel discussion and the success of these producers in the field show that 30 pigs per sow per year is a goal that we can achieve," says Dan McManus, DVM, young animal specialist-swine for Purina Animal Nutrition. "When you're trying to hit that goal, it's a package deal. You need good genetics and you need good nutrition. Beyond those pieces, the farms that are the most successful also have a very good, motivated team of people through all stages of production."
Panelists of the Feeding for 30 Forum included:


• Dan McManus, DVM, young animal specialist-swine for Purina Animal Nutrition
• Jon Bergstrom, Ph.D., market development manager-swine for DSM Nutritional Products 
• Derald Holtkamp, DVM, associate professor of veterinarian diagnostic and production animal medicine for Iowa State University, College of Veterinary Medicine
• Steve Huegerich, national director of swine operations for GSC Agribusiness in Coon Rapids, Iowa
• Dave Hansen, owner/operator of Hansen Haven and Hansen Hog West in Coleridge, Nebraska
• Steve Stitzlein, production supervisor at Heimerl Farms in Johnstown, Ohio

Seven ways to avoid sow heat stress in hot weather

Heat stress can have a major impact on sow performance and longevity and sows may feel heat stressed as temperatures surpass 70 degrees F. Depending upon humidity[1], sows can start to experience adverse effects from heat stress, such as reduced feed intake.
Changes in the ration can help sows continue to consume the nutrients they need to maintain performance and body condition levels. Sows are most comfortable between 45 and 70 degrees F, with 60 to 65 degrees F being optimal,  according to Vern Pearson, PhD, swine nutritionist for Purina Animal Nutrition.
"The combination of hot temperatures and humidity results in a high heat stress index and can cause problems for the sow if we don't account for it," Pearson says, explaining that heat stressed sows have a greater potential to experience seasonal infertility, smaller litter sizes, decreased embryo survival rates and death losses. Heat stress can also impact boars, resulting in lower libido, lower sperm counts, abnormal sperm and smaller litters. [2]
Heat stress can be minimized by adjusting the temperature in the facility. Strategies for adequate air movement and cooling include: ventilation systems, air conditioning units, drip cooling, fresh-air inlets, cool cells, nose coolers and water sprinkler systems. No matter the system selected, Pearson advises producers to measure temperatures at the sow's level and to keep temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees F.
In addition to environmental controls, sow nutrition plays a key role in sow productivity through the summer.
"There's a direct correlation between heat and reduced feed intake," Pearson says. "Heat stressed sows will eat less because digestion gives off body heat and makes the sows even warmer.
"Lactating sows will first maintain their litters and then use nutrients from their feed for body condition; sows that are not eating can lose body condition quickly," he adds. "An under-conditioned sow will be less likely to breed back, so we need to keep the sows eating and in good condition."[1]
The following seven sow nutrition tips keep sows eating consistently throughout the summer:
1. Promote consistent feed consumption.
In the summer, the biggest issue is reduced feed consumption in lactation. Adjust the ration to avoid those decreases by feeding sows so they maintain a body condition score (BCS) of 3 on a 5-point scale through all stages. Summer feed additives, like True Appetizer^® Feed from Purina Animal Nutrition, can be added to the sow diet to help maintain dry matter intakes.
2.  Feed sows according to stage.
BCS is important for all sows, so an ad libitum ration is suggested during lactation with limit-feeding during gestation. Don't over-feed during gestation; feed to maintain condition. Sows that are over-fed in gestation may eat less during lactation. Over-conditioned sows have even more stress during hot weather.
Lactation feed intake is critical as sows need greater nutrient levels. Adjust lactation rations in the summer to help sows receive the nutrients needed to maintain condition.
To compensate for reduced intake potential, feed a palatable, concentrated source of energy to sows. A dense source of energy, fed with a summer sow feed additive, can help the sow consume the nutrients needed to support milk production and maintain body condition.[1]
3. Increase feeding frequency.
Feed breakdown generates heat; therefore, larger meals cause the sow's body temperature to increase. Feed sows smaller meals throughout the day to decrease the heat generated by the body when breaking down the feed.
Pearson recommends feeding 2 to 3 smaller meals throughout the day and to feed sows in the night or in the early morning when it's cooler to prevent significant body temperature increases.
Switching from two large meals to three small meals has been shown to increase sow feed intake 10 to 15 percent.[2] Account for this additional feed when formulating summer rations.
4. Provide calories through fat vs. fiber.
Include higher levels of fat, such as choice white grease or vegetable oil, at 2 to 6 percent of the diet in place of fibrous ingredients such as soybean hulls, wheat middlings, distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and alfalfa. Adding fat at a rate of 50 to 100 pounds per ton of complete feed increases the energy density of the ration, helping the sow to receive necessary nutrients at a lower heat increment than protein.[2]
5. Evaluate trace mineral levels.
Make sure that vitamins, minerals and amino acids are balanced with the energy you are providing the sows. These levels may need to be increased during times of heat and humidity.
6.  Provide access to quality water.
Make sure the sow has access to fresh, quality water at all times. In the summer, a lactating sow can consume up to 16 gallons of water per day, with 5 to 10 gallons of water consumed per sow per day on average.
Supplying fresh, clean water at constant rates can help sows meet their water requirements. If using nipple waterers, adjust the water flow rate for at least 0.5 gallon of water flow per minute.
7. Keep feed fresh.
Feed is more likely to spoil in warm temperatures. Increase the feeding frequency, feed slightly smaller meals and routinely clean the feeding area to keep feed fresh through the summer.


 [1] Whitney, Mark. "Minimizing heat stress in pigs during the summer." University of Minnesota Extension. http://www.extension.umn.edu/swine/components/pubs/Whitney-MinimizingHeatStress.pdf. 5 May 2013.
[2] Rozeboom, K.J., M. Todd See and W. Flowers. "Management practices to reduce the impact of seasonal infertility on sow herd productivity." North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. Publication No. ANS00-8138. http://www.ncsu.edu/project/swine_extension/publications/factsheets/813s.htm. 5 May 2013.

New training station teaches sows to use a demand feeding system

The SowComp training station teaches sows to reach the trough by passing through a narrow passage. The WEDA Dammann & Westerkamp’s new model works with open doors so animals get used to taking up their feed in a demand feeding station in a fast, uncomplicated and stress-free way.
To simulate real operating conditions of the later demand feeding station, the unit is equipped with a double-flap iron-barred exit gate. This prevents pigs entering in the wrong direction.
As a rule, the training station is installed far away from the herd of sows, in the quarantine division. It is recommended to split up the gilts to be trained into groups of 15 to 20 animals. After a training period of approximately two weeks, the sows are conditioned and know exactly how a demand feeding station functions.
After this, they can be transferred into the proper waiting area. As the animals are now used to walking along a passage for taking up their feed, their shying away from automatic demand feeding stations is practically non-existent now.

Heavier born piglets may result in greater long-term productivity

When it comes to piglet litters, size matters. Larger numbers of piglets per litter have a direct correlation with an operation’s total pigs marketed; however, for these pigs to meet their full potential, adequate birth weights are necessary.
“No matter the genetics, the management or the facilities, birth weight plays a big factor in a pig’s lifetime productivity,” says Dr. Gawain Willis, director of nutrition services for Purina Animal Nutrition LLC.
Willis explains that measuring birth weights are especially important as current genetics are helping sows move towards larger litters. Unfortunately this trend is also resulting in a trend toward lower birth weights. In fact, research shows the average birth weight of each pig drops an average of 0.10 pound for each additional pig in the litter.[1]
“As the industry evolves and larger litters become more common, producers must pay close attention to birth weights in their farrowing units,” he says.
Purina Animal Nutrition has evaluated birth weights at the Purina Animal Nutrition Center in Gray Summit, Mo., for several years. Along with Brenda De Rodas, director of swine research with Purina Animal Nutrition, Willis measured birth weights on 2,456 litters over a 5-year timespan. The two found that a 1-pound difference in birth weight (3.1 pounds versus 2.1 pounds) resulted in twice the survival rate from birth to weaning.[2]
“Birth weights played a significant role in pre-weaning mortality rates,” Willis says. “Almost all of our pre-weaning mortality occurred in the smaller birth weights. Growth rates, feed efficiency and piglet vitality were also noticeably improved with higher birth weights.”
Heavier-born pigs were able to get off to a proper start and also reached weaning and market weights quicker; with 2.8 pounds higher weaning weights. When looking at the timeline to finishing, pigs born between 3.1 and 3.5 pounds reached the marketable weight of 270 pounds, 7 days sooner than pigs with birth weights of 1.6 to 2 pounds. [2]
Increased nutrients through gestation and lactation are one major factor required to allow sows to produce these heavier litters. Willis explains that higher-producing sows require increased nutrients to achieve long-term production or they may fall out of the herd too soon.
If the nutritional needs of the sow aren’t met, the potential remains for low birth weights.
“Failing to feed sows for increased productivity can also lead to rebreeding problems and high sow culling rates,” Willis says. “But feeding them properly can result in greater efficiency for both the piglets and the sows. Lifetime productivity of sows and the pigs they produce begins with feeding the sows the quality and quantity of nutrients they require.”



[1] Willis, Gawain. “Sow nutrition, health and management.” Purina Animal Nutrition LLC. Swine VIP Presentation, Sept. 4, 2013. Gray Summit, Mo.
[2] De Rodas, Brenda and Gawain Willis. “Litter size and birth weight and its impact on long-term production.” Purina Animal Nutrition LLC Research Study, Purina Animal Nutrition Center. 2006-2012.

Consistent sow body condition vital to optimum pig production

Adequate sow body condition scores during gestation may enable quicker return to estrus post-weaning, according to Mike Hemann, Great Lakes Region swine nutritionist for Purina Animal Nutrition LLC, who said that sow rations should be formulated so body condition scores remain steady through the production cycle.
Producers should maintain a score of 2.9 to 3 on a scale of 1 to 5 within their sow herds, according to Hemann. Sows with a score of 3 will have backfat measurements of 0.59 to 0.86 inches and the sow’s ribs, hips and backbone will be able to be felt with firm pressure but not observed visually. “Nutrition comes into play in a big way when we look at herd health and sow longevity,” he said. “Feeding sows so they have consistent, healthy body condition scores can improve longevity and help the sow become capable of producing 30 full potential pigs in one year.”
Along with the potential for improved birth weights and higher productivity in lactation, Hemann said that sows in ideal body condition may return to estrus quicker post-weaning. Reducing the days between weaning and estrus can then influence efficiency within the herd by helping the sow move onto her next litter quicker. “We want to try to reduce the days to return to estrus as much as possible and get that number as close together in the group of sows as we can,” said Hemann. “Keeping that number low and individual body condition scores steady comes from managing nutritional intake during lactation and then making sure sows are not under-conditioned going into the breeding barn."
The most efficient sows will return to estrus in four-and-a-half to five days on average post-weaning, according to Hemann. In addition to proper nutrition, routine body condition scoring protocol can promote consistent condition. Herds that have consistent body condition scores typically have one or two people trained in the process whose focus is routine score evaluation. These employees are responsible for adjusting feed drops in gestation and managing feed intake in order to promote and maintain ideal body condition scores.
“A good way to manage this is to divide the herd into four groups,” said Hemann. “Each week one group is evaluated for BCS, allowing all sows in the herd to be evaluated on a monthly basis for BCS by the assigned employees.” Hemann said he encourages managers to post a list of the sows to be evaluated in the farm office on a weekly basis to keep the process top of mind. After evaluating the condition of the sows, rations can be adjusted accordingly so ideal body condition scores are maintained through all production stages.
“The key to consistent productivity is to maintain adequate body condition in gestation, to return sows to ideal body condition as soon as possible after breeding and then to maximize intake during lactation,” he said. “One way to promote and help maintain consistent [body condition scores] is to have fresh feed in front of sows at all times and then to stimulate them to eat several times per day during the lactation period. Properly conditioned sows are better able to care for their litters, will come out of lactation in better condition and may return to estrus quicker."

Sow feed efficiency drives economics on operations

Economics on sow operations are driven by feed efficiency, especially during times of high-priced inputs, according to Dan McManus, DVM, swine nutrition specialist for Land O'Lakes Purina Feed LLC.
As input costs continue to rise, small changes in ration formulations and management can have financial impacts. Sow feed efficiency — and the economic potential of operations — can be enhanced by paying attention to feed particle size, ration waste and herd replacement rates.
“Particle size of feeds in the diet plays a role in feed efficiency,” said McManus. “Like the finishing pig, reduced particle size allows the sow to utilize energy more efficiently in gestation and lactation.” Researchers at Kansas State University found that reducing corn particle size can improve feed intake and weaning weights.
Wasted feed directly impacts feed efficiency because it adds cost to pounds gained. “Avoid overfeeding of animals and watch for areas where feed is wasted in the gestation and farrowing barns,” McManus recommends.
In warm months, ration waste can be reduced by adjusting the diet for decreased consumption. According to McManus, in the summer ration changes may be needed to offset body weight losses in lactation that increase the wean-to-service interval. Nutrient-dense diets can provide higher nutrient levels to sows when warm temperatures may reduce consumption. “Consider adopting feed technologies that help maintain consumption,” said McManus. “Feed additives can help sows to handle heat stress without losing consumption.”
Focusing on overall sow herd health and longevity can also help increase outputs without adding to the feed bill. “Herds with a lower annual herd replacement rate have better feed efficiency because they need a smaller supply of replacement gilts in the pipeline,” said McManus. “Fewer gilts will result in a lower gilt developer feed bill."

Sow longevity vital to pig producer profitability

Sow longevity should be the focus for pig producers who aim for maximum profitability, according to Mark Wilson, Ph.D., swine reproductive physiologist at Zinpro Corporation. The goal should be at least four litters per sow, said Wilson — it takes at least three successful parities for a replacement gilt to pay for herself, at which point a producer has covered most or all of the fixed costs for bringing the gilt into the herd.
While cost/benefit analyses show that a goal for gilt introductions should be around 35 percent to keep a swine herd’s parity distribution and returns optimized, current herd replacement rates are approximately 50 percent to 65 percent per year. “Unfortunately, early culling of gilts and young sows sets up a cascade effect within the herd,” said Wilson. Gilt retention rates within a herd can be improved up to 50 percent by implementing changes such as providing larger pen space per pig, utilizing better flooring and feeding a balanced diet. Addressing nutritional needs decreases feed costs, which account for 70 percent of a replacement gilt's cost, according to Wilson.
Lameness is also a factor that needs to be focused on. “Young sows are often culled due to feet and leg problems which hamper reproductive performance and profitability,” said Wilson. “Herd records show lameness accounts for up to 15 percent of total culls through the first parity.” Lameness and its stress on sows also influence reproduction through longer wean-to-estrus intervals, more non-productive sow days, smaller litter size and fewer pigs weaned. Maintaining a proper weight will reduce lameness and the resulting stress, which will raise retention and increase sow longevity.

TOPIGS introduces nutritional feeding advice for sows

After several years of investigation, research and validation the Dutch-based TOPIGS nutritional team has introduced a new feeding advice specifically for their genetics.
The international genetics supplier now provides specific feeding advice for its TOPIGS 20 and TOPIGS 40 lines, as it had become clear that the two lines had different nutritional requirements, according to the company. In the new feeding advice, separate nutritional requirements are given for primiparous and multiparous sows. Sows can be fed more precisely and in line with their needs. TOPIGS has also developed two separate manuals for the corn – soybean and wheat – barley-orientated markets.
“Nowadays, highly productive sows have different nutritional needs compared with sows a few years ago, so sow feeding guidelines need to be continuously updated,” said a company representative. With the new feeding advice for lactating sows, sows before insemination and sows during gestation, farmers now have better tools for achieving maximum production and for realizing more of the high genetic potential of the TOPIGS sow, he said.
With a production of 1.1 million crossbred gilts and 7 million doses of semen per year, TOPIGS is one of the biggest genetics suppliers in the world.  

Chinese pig producers target sow productivity to save feed

Pig production leaders from China have been highlighting how better productivity in Chinese sow herds would contribute major savings of increasingly valuable feed resources.
From figures quoted by a delegation to the 2010 EuroTier exhibition in Germany, the current national average for breeding herd productivity is only around 13 pigs sold per sow per year.
Delegates calculated that an increase of just two pigs per sow would mean the same annual output of slaughter pigs could be obtained from 6.7 million fewer sows, saving the equivalent of 4 million metric tons of corn for their feed. Increasing to 20 pigs per sow/year offered a cutback of 17.5 million sows with 10.5 million tons of corn saved annually.

Osborne Industries to install feed intake recording system in China

Osborne Industries has announced the May 2010 installation of its Feed Intake Recording Equipment (FIRE) at two swine breeding facilities of GuangdongHuanong Wens, a major pig production company in Guangdong province, China. The company has about 220,000 sows in production and processes 1 million pigs a year.
The FIRE System automates the measurement and collection of individual animal feed intake and growth performance. Each individual pig is tagged with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, and the tag is read by an antenna located in the FIRE Feeder as feed intake and animal weight are recorded.
The installation in Guangdong will monitor the performance of about 10,000 sows.

Study: Flushing results in heavier piglets

Feeding sows more during the insemination phase results in a higher piglet birth weight. That is one of the main conclusions of a study by pig breeding group TOPIGS.
The study was conducted at 19 Dutch pig farms with a total population of more than 7,000 sows. One extra kilogram of feed intake during the insemination period resulted in a birth weight that was 45 grams higher, on average.
Sows fed lactation feed during the insemination phase give birth to piglets 51 grams heavier than sows fed gestation feed. According to TOPIGS, this illustrates the importance of looking at the energy and protein content of the feed given during the insemination phase.
The research also found other factors that positively influence piglet birth weight:

•more feed during gestation
•higher energy intake during lactation
•introduction of gilts via a quarantine
•group housing of the sows
•no use of prostaglandins at farrowing
•a high farm hygiene level

Combining all positive factors, the average birth weight of piglets can, in theory, increase by 442 grams per piglet, TOPIGS reported.