Dr. Alphonse Heseker, PhD, director of department of research and development of company MIAVIT (Germany)

Over the last decade, industrial pig production has undergone amazing changes absolutely in all aspects. Constantly growing consumers’ demands are driven not only the genetic progress, but also production standards.

Modern genotypes of pigs are hyper productive, but at the same time they are hyper sensitive to stressful situations. What does this mean in practice? Highly productive animals (sows, piglets, slaughter pigs) require:

• effective management,
• accelerated metabolism to maintain high performance,
• specific approaches to nutrient feed at different stages of the production cycle,
• extremely sensitive reaction to conditions and microclimate, and also on feed imbalance as well as on irritants, including mycotoxins.

The gold reserves of each farm are sows as of their comfort depends the quantity and quality of the piglets. Pay attention to the most difficult periods in the production cycle of the sow.

Insemination

During this period, for sows are important:

• correct microclimate, including heated floors (≥20 °C);
• light intensity not less than 300 Lux, duration of the day at least 12-14 hours/day;
• quality control of estrus and the actual process of insemination (it is up to the operator’s attention and his choice the optimal time for insemination depends, how many piglets will born 8 or 13);
• good hygiene;
• feed management.

Early gestation (up to 25th day)

During this period are laid characteristics of the future litter: the number and weight of piglets, homogeneity. «Differences» in these terms caused mainly by low percentage of ovulation at the time of insemination, embryo mortality, age of the animal and the capacity of the uterus and placental inefficiency.

Gestation

During gestation it is important to keep the weight of farrowing sows, and correct the curve of feeding in time. The fattiness at the moment of farrowing threatens by complications and MMA syndrome (mastitis-metritis agalactia) during lactation. In too thin sows increases the risk of abortion, and during lactation they do not produce enough milk, suffer from problems with the gastrointestinal tract and abrasions on joints and blades.

The last phase of gestating and the week before farrowing

This is a responsible phase, because since this period the sow’s body is preparing before farrowing.

In 2-3 weeks before farrowing begins production of antibodies for colostrum, the sow spends almost 25% of its own immunity. Udder development adds 6-7 kg to the weight of the animal, but this requires additional 21-25 kg of feed. Finally formed embryos rapidly gain weight so the sows need in taking and digesting the supplementary feed substantially increases. All these complex processes are the cause of powerful burden on metabolism that borders with stress.

Lactation period

The metabolism system of the sow radically reoriented: now 80% of consumed feed is spent on milk production. The need for nutrients and water during lactation tripled higher than during gestating!

Thus, during each stage of production cycle the metabolic conversion system of sow undergoing a powerful burden. However, taking into account their needs and using of modern nutrition vitamin and mineral supplements, including autologous and hepatoprotective properties help reduce metabolic stress and extend the productive life quality of your sow herd.

1. What to consider at feeding of the sow during insemination?
2. How to determine the condition of the sow?
3. How to avoid problems at an early stage of sow gestating?
4. How to arrange sows feeding in the period of gestating?
5. What should be paid the attention to while feeding sow at the last phase of gestation before farrowing?
6. What are the management peculiarities of sows feeding during lactation?

You can find answers for these and other questions in the full version of the article in the magazine «Profitable Pig Production», № 6 (24) 2014