Swine management to increase gilt reproductive efficiency

Management practices to improve reproductive efficiency of the gilt will enable more efficient introduction of gilts into the breeding herd. In this paper, puberty and continuation of regular estrous cycles, ovulation rate and embryonic/fetal survival are the aspects of gilt reproductive efficiency to be considered. Within each of these reproductive areas, factors such as genetics, environment, nutrition, etc., are reviewed and general management practices are proposed. Because of the diversity of swine production systems, the proposed management practices to improve gilt reproductive performance must be considered and incorporated into individual herds on a trial basis.