Sow wastage: reasons for and effect on productivity

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Swine Production
• Reproductive Biology

Background:

• Sow culling is a critical factor influencing herd productivity and economic viability in swine operations.
• Understanding the drivers and consequences of sow removal is essential for optimizing breeding programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the primary reasons for sow culling in commercial swine herds.
• To determine the overall rate of sow removal and its variation across different farms.
• To assess the impact of sow culling on overall herd productivity.

Main Methods:

• Data collection involved producer questionnaires and detailed two-year production records from 30 swine farms.
• Sow removal rates were calculated, and common reasons for culling were identified through producer surveys.
• Statistical analysis was performed to explore correlations between culling rates and factors like litter size.

Main Results:

• The average sow removal rate was high at 44.2%, with significant variation between farms (16%–100%).
• Reproductive failure was identified as the most frequent reason cited by producers for culling sows.
• A negative correlation was observed between sow removal rate and litter size.

Conclusions:

• Many sows in Ontario swine herds are culled prematurely, failing to achieve their maximum reproductive potential.
• High culling rates, particularly due to reproductive issues, suggest potential inefficiencies in herd management or breeding strategies.
• Addressing the reasons for early sow removal could significantly enhance swine farm productivity and profitability.