Results of 15 Years of Precision Feeding of Hyper Prolific Gestating Sows

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Body condition at farrowing influences the short-term performance of sows (e.g., farrowing progression, milk production, appetite during lactation) and their long-term reproduction and longevity potentials. In the context of increased prolificacy, farmers increasingly focus on managing maternal reserves. Measurements of backfat thickness and body weight at insemination can be used to monitor the feed allowance during gestation and to maintain body condition throughout farrowing. Regular analysis of data collected on farms can identify the ideal backfat thickness and expected body weight at farrowing (as a function of age). Model-based assessment of nutritional requirements can consider housing conditions, prolificacy, initial characteristics of the sow at insemination (i.e., age, body weight and backfat thickness) and final expected characteristics. On a demonstration farm, feed was provided on an individual basis based on the energy requirements calculated for each sow during gestation under different housing conditions. The risk of high variability in backfat thickness within each batch was reduced at farrowing. ABSTRACT: The increase in prolificacy at weaning is less than that at farrowing due to increased loss of piglets. As a result, farmers focus more on solutions that can prevent difficult parturition or a decrease in milk production. The body condition of the sow influences both factors. A model developed to estimate energy requirements of gestating sows was used to monitor the body weight and back fat thickness (BT) at farrowing, through the creation of a demonstration farm that included 7 batches of 24 sows. Daily feed allowance was adapted to characteristics of each sow at the beginning of gestation. Based on data collected since 2005 from 5140 gestations in different housing systems, the BT averaged 19.3 mm at farrowing, with no significant differences among housing systems. Within-batch variability in BT ranged from 3–4 mm and is expected to improve in the future by using sensors to automatically weigh and measure physical activity towards a real-time assessment of energy requirements. The next step in reducing feed costs and environmental impacts is to consider amino-acid and phosphorus requirements in the precision-feeding strategy.