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Culling patterns in selected Minnesota swine breeding herds.
S D'Allaire1, T E Stein, A D Leman
1Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108.
Summary
Swine herd culling rates average 50% annually, with reproductive failure and inadequate performance being primary reasons for removing sows and gilts. Many females are culled before reaching their third litter due to these issues.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Science
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Swine production relies on efficient breeding herds.
- Understanding culling patterns is crucial for herd management and economic viability.
- Previous studies have not fully detailed culling reasons across different parities and gilt populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the patterns and reasons for culling in commercial swine breeding herds.
- To quantify the annual culling rates and identify primary drivers of female removal.
- To analyze culling data in relation to parity and specific reproductive or performance issues.
Main Methods:
- Data collected from 89 Minnesota swine herds over 12 months.
- Recorded information on 7242 culled females (sows and gilts), including removal reason and parity.
- Calculated annual culling rates and analyzed reasons for removal (reproductive failure, performance, age, death).
Main Results:
- Average annual culling rate was 50%, with significant herd-to-herd variation (15%-85%).
- Reproductive failure (32%) and inadequate performance (17%) were major culling reasons, often occurring before the fourth litter.
- Gilts represented a substantial portion of reproductive failure culls, particularly due to anestrus.
Conclusions:
- High culling rates in swine herds are driven by reproductive issues and performance limitations, often occurring early in a female's productive life.
- Reproductive failure, especially anestrus in gilts, significantly impacts herd turnover.
- Management strategies should focus on improving gilt development and early reproductive success to reduce culling.