Reduce Variation in Total Sow Performance
Reducing variation in sow performance is difficult.
Reproduction problems exist which do have an easy solution.
 Three reproduction problems which cause variation:
- Variation in sow body condition
- Accurate, consistent estrus detection
- Inadequate gilt development
Reducing variation in sow condition is challenging. Optimal
body condition ensures improved piglet viability, quick return to
estrus, life time productivity and longevity. Sows and gilts must
be accurately fed as individuals each day to avoid condition
variation. Feeding sows as individuals sounds easy but it's not.
Automated feeding systems in crated facilities drop a designated
amount of feed. However, the allotted feed often feeds the wrong
sows. Boss sows rob feed from less aggressive sows. Gilts
and younger parity sows often eat at a slower rate. The allotted
feed is eaten by neighboring sows. Sows receiving more feed become
over conditioned. Sows receiving less feed become under
conditioned. Both situations result in variation.
Feed wastage from automated feed systems in crates also contributes
to the sow condition variation problem. Sows and gilts root feed
from the trough into the alleyway or pit. Also, water may wash
feed away from sows before they can eat. When sows can't consume
their allotted feed, they begin to lose condition. Likewise, if
sows eat extra feed that washes down the trough, they gain condition.
Automatic feed drops require adjustment. In crated facilities,
there is sow movement. Time must be dedicated to make adjustments
to feed drops when sows are moved.
Secondly, accurate, consistent estrus detection is a problem.
Accurate estrus detection is essential for proper mating timing.
Proper timing optimizes farrowing rates and piglets born alive.
Bred sows which return to estrus must be quickly identified to return to
the productive herd. If these sows aren't found, non productive
sow days begin accumulating. Non productive days reduce pigs per
sow per year.
Sows and gilts come into estrus around the clock, on weekends and
holidays. And identifying bred sows returning to estrus is not an
easy task. It requires daily checking.
Finally, while producers realize how important gilt development is,
it's not getting done. Industry statistics validate the impact
proper gilt development has on a sow's life time productivity and
longevity. Gilts developed as market hogs are simply that.
They are not prepared physically to produce large litters of healthy
piglets and return to estrus promptly. Producers need a system
which can record and track estrus cycles on replacement gilts. Knowledge of estrus cycles allows producers to plan and program
replacement gilts into the productive sow herd.
But there is a solution to the reproduction problems mentioned
above. The TEAM™ system reduces variation in body
condition, provides accurate, reliable estrus detection and management
for proper gilt development.
TEAM (or Total Electronic Animal Management) assists in the
total reproductive management of your gestating and unbred gilts and
sows. "The ease of management of the sows was the main factor
in the decision to implement the TEAM system at our
facilities", says Brad Bowles, unit manager for Tosh Farms at their
3,400 sow multiplication unit in Martin, Tennessee.
"The TEAM system feeds each animal individually. It
allows you to give each sow the amount you feel is
necessary. Feed intake is easy to manage through the TEAM
software feed curves. You can increase or decrease feed just by
data entry through her id and feed levels are adjusted. Another
positive thing is the the minimal feed wastage", adds Brad Bowles.
The TEAM system checks for estrus in gilts and weaned sows and
watches for return to estrus among gestation sows. Estrus is
reliably identified any time, night or day. Accurate,
reliable estrus detection keeps sows productive.
The TEAM system feeds gilts individually preparing them to
enter the productive sow herd. Producers can program gilts
with established estrus dates efficiently into the productive sow herd.
Find out for yourself how the TEAM system reduces variation in
total sow performance.
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