Maintaining optimum condition within the breeding herd throughout the sow’s lifetime, with minimal fluctuations, will help reproductive performance, production efficiency, strategic culling decisions and mortality rates. Ideally a sow’s body condition should be assessed individually and managed on a continuous basis to maximise her lifetime productivity.
It is important to be able to accurately evaluate sow body condition and to ensure appropriate nutrition is provided to every sow for maintenance, growth, reproduction and lactation, preventing sows becoming either too thin, through having to utilise body reserves, or too fat with excessive weight gain.