Results of 15 Years of Precision Feeding of Hyper Prolific Gestating Sows
The increase in prolificacy at weaning is less than that at farrowing due to increased loss of piglets. As a result, farmers focus more on solutions that can prevent difficult parturition or a decrease in milk production. The body condition of the sow influences both factors. A model developed to es...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-10-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/10/2908 |
| _version_ | 1797515496348712960 |
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| author | Nathalie Quiniou |
| author_facet | Nathalie Quiniou |
| author_sort | Nathalie Quiniou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The increase in prolificacy at weaning is less than that at farrowing due to increased loss of piglets. As a result, farmers focus more on solutions that can prevent difficult parturition or a decrease in milk production. The body condition of the sow influences both factors. A model developed to estimate energy requirements of gestating sows was used to monitor the body weight and back fat thickness (BT) at farrowing, through the creation of a demonstration farm that included 7 batches of 24 sows. Daily feed allowance was adapted to characteristics of each sow at the beginning of gestation. Based on data collected since 2005 from 5140 gestations in different housing systems, the BT averaged 19.3 mm at farrowing, with no significant differences among housing systems. Within-batch variability in BT ranged from 3–4 mm and is expected to improve in the future by using sensors to automatically weigh and measure physical activity towards a real-time assessment of energy requirements. The next step in reducing feed costs and environmental impacts is to consider amino-acid and phosphorus requirements in the precision-feeding strategy. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T06:46:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-60816060f8944fdba6a5e4c0ee4cc85c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T06:46:15Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-60816060f8944fdba6a5e4c0ee4cc85c2023-11-22T17:11:04ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152021-10-011110290810.3390/ani11102908Results of 15 Years of Precision Feeding of Hyper Prolific Gestating SowsNathalie Quiniou0IFIP—Institut du Porc, BP35104, CEDEX, 35651 Le Rheu, FranceThe increase in prolificacy at weaning is less than that at farrowing due to increased loss of piglets. As a result, farmers focus more on solutions that can prevent difficult parturition or a decrease in milk production. The body condition of the sow influences both factors. A model developed to estimate energy requirements of gestating sows was used to monitor the body weight and back fat thickness (BT) at farrowing, through the creation of a demonstration farm that included 7 batches of 24 sows. Daily feed allowance was adapted to characteristics of each sow at the beginning of gestation. Based on data collected since 2005 from 5140 gestations in different housing systems, the BT averaged 19.3 mm at farrowing, with no significant differences among housing systems. Within-batch variability in BT ranged from 3–4 mm and is expected to improve in the future by using sensors to automatically weigh and measure physical activity towards a real-time assessment of energy requirements. The next step in reducing feed costs and environmental impacts is to consider amino-acid and phosphorus requirements in the precision-feeding strategy.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/10/2908sowgestationprecision feedingenergymonitoringbackfat thickness |
| spellingShingle | Nathalie Quiniou Results of 15 Years of Precision Feeding of Hyper Prolific Gestating Sows Animals sow gestation precision feeding energy monitoring backfat thickness |
| title | Results of 15 Years of Precision Feeding of Hyper Prolific Gestating Sows |
| title_full | Results of 15 Years of Precision Feeding of Hyper Prolific Gestating Sows |
| title_fullStr | Results of 15 Years of Precision Feeding of Hyper Prolific Gestating Sows |
| title_full_unstemmed | Results of 15 Years of Precision Feeding of Hyper Prolific Gestating Sows |
| title_short | Results of 15 Years of Precision Feeding of Hyper Prolific Gestating Sows |
| title_sort | results of 15 years of precision feeding of hyper prolific gestating sows |
| topic | sow gestation precision feeding energy monitoring backfat thickness |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/10/2908 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT nathaliequiniou resultsof15yearsofprecisionfeedingofhyperprolificgestatingsows |