Litter size increases from better genetics have challenged hog producers to keep piglets alive from birth to the ready-to-market stage. Uniformity is also a consequence, although the genetics have produced more efficient pigs. Ron Ketchem and Mark Rix share results from analyzing data from 407 farms in North America where production was >25 pigs weaned per mated female per year.
The most successful producers have invested resources such as, money, labor and real estate to build and staff a gilt development unit close-to the farm or on site. They take over managing replacement gilts as early as an isowean pig. They make sure they are fed as a replacement gilt and not as a finisher pig.
Source: National Hog Farmer, March 23, 2020. Link.
Until farms can control management of gilts for at least 60-plus days before breeding, the gilts will under perform their genetic potential.
INTERESTING: The labor issue continues to be a limiting factor. Still, individual animal care versus herd care consistently shows improved results for hogs, beef cattle and dairy.