Yo Yo Dieting is no good for sows - 12th May 2009
The message from Denmark is that good sows do not lurch from fat to thin, they stay good all the way through life. Managing optimum body condition on your unit is one of the keys to a high performing herd. Body reserves not so depleted during lactation that gestation is a recovery period until it all starts again. Regular body condition can provide you information for sow curves especially in summer and winter.
Studies
in Denmark should
that the gilts first lactation was key to her success and overrode suckling
length as the factor that affected subsequent performance.
Talk
to your vet about setting up systems that allow you to wean a sow and keep the
piglets correctly if you feel the sow will not go the full lactation period. It
is better to Wean sows, more importantly gilts, with poor body condition at day
14 - do not knacker her for another 14 days!!