| Improving Swine Reproduction |
Reproductive efficiency is a major limitation to profit in farrow-to-finish and feeder-pig production units. A sow can produce twenty-five pigs or more each year. Unfortunately, the average sow in the United States produces fewer than sixteen pigs per year. Improving reproductive efficiency reduces both overhead (fixed) costs and feed costs per pig sold. Increasing the number of pigs marketed per female will reduce the number of sows needed or increase the total pigs marketed per year.
Reproduction in swine is like a jigsaw puzzle. The pieces include nutrition, health, genetics, and environment. The manager provides the frame for the puzzle. Production records make the puzzle visible. If the frame or any piece is missing or out of place, the puzzle is not complete and the potential for reproduction cannot be reached. Without production records, you cannot see if reproduction problems exist.
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Reproduction in the sow can be improved with selection, nutrition, management, and health. The most important component is the producer. He or she must take the time to keep records, monitor the feed and breeding, keep facilities in good repair, and watch the health status of the entire herd. The benefits of improving reproduction are great, but time and work are necessary before they are realized.
The following publications are recommended:
"Swine Diet Recommendations For Alabama," Extension Circular ANR-639.
"Controlling Quality Of Farm Mixed Swine Feed," Extension Circular ANR-637.
"Swine Herd Monitoring," Extension Circular ANR-673.
"Crossbreeding Systems For Swine," Extension Circular ANR-617.
"Selection Guidelines For Commercial Pork Production," Extension Circular ANR-822.
Trade names are used only to give specific information. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System does not endorse or guarantee any product and does not recommend one product instead of another that might be similar.
For more information, call your county Extension office. Look in your telephone directory under your county's name to find the number.