Before you can improve reproductive efficiency, you must first decide what it is. Litter size (born and weaned), conception rate, farrowing rate, and farrowing interval are only a few of the traits that you can measure. However, the best single indicator of reproductive efficiency is the number of pigs weaned per female per year. To calculate it, divide the number of pigs weaned in a 12-month period by the average female inventory (including replacement gilts).
Other production records are essential for monitoring and troubleshooting swine reproduction. They include: number born alive, number stillborn, number of mummies, birth weight, number weaned, weaning weight, weaning age, breeding date(s), service sire, conception rate, farrowing rate, farrowing interval, and days from weaning to breeding.
For more information on monitoring the sow herd, see "Swine Herd
Monitoring," Extension Circular ANR-673.