Getting colostrum into piglets in the first 24 hours is critical to their health and survival. Larger litter sizes place more emphasis on ensuring adequate volumes of colostrum get to each piglet. Few studies have considered the effects of sow late gestation nutrient intake on colostrum production and composition. Other factors play into piglet success, but optimizing nutrition intake in the last three or four days of gestation appears to have benefits.
Source: National Hog Farmer, June 20, 2019. Link. The results of various research projects and a meta-analysis suggest that increasing sow amino acid and energy intake in late gestation enhances individual piglet colostrum intake and piglet weaning weight.
INSIGHTS: Swine veterinarians and producers will find this interesting. There are still a lot of questions, including measuring water intake variables and the elapsed time to complete farrowing.