Sows, software and success!

An increasing number of pig producers, especially those with large numbers of sows, are keeping detailed performance records on computer recording programs.  Not only do these programs make it easy to examine the life time performance of individual sows and so help with decisions on culling, but they also identify when routine treatments like pregnancy testing or vaccination should be undertaken. Analysis of herd performance is also simplified and it is easy to determine outputs such as live born per litter or litters per sow per year over any given time period for their herd.

But what is good performance and what targets should you set for your herd?  The ability to compare your average performance with those achieved by other producers is invaluable as it allows areas of weakness to be identified in your herd.  In a pilot study by CAFRE Pig Technologists, computer analysis of records for six months from over 20 pig herds in Northern Ireland has shown that average numbers of pigs born alive per litter for gilts was 10.6 pigs but this varied by almost four pigs between the best and the worst herds!   Similarly average conception rate was good at 87 percent, yet the range in conception was from 78 percent to 93 percent.

Using the same computer program, sow performance from different units can easily be combined.  This allows analysis at industry level and clear direction as to the critical areas of management.  For example when data from 20,000 farrowings from Northern Ireland pig herds was combined the effect of parity on numbers born alive is clearly evident.  Figure 1 shows that the number of live born pigs increased up to third litter but decreased greatly after sixth litter.  Further analysis shows that as conception rate decreased and non-productive days increased after sixth parity, litters per sow per year was reduced by 0.15 between parities six and seven.  This emphasises the importance of culling older sows to maximise unit performance.

Figure 1  Variation in litter size with parity

Access to this large amount of data also allows accurate computer analysis on a continuous basis, showing the effect of season on performance.  Summer infertility in sows is well recognised but Figure 2 clearly highlights just how serious this was in Northern Ireland herds in 2009.  Taking corrective action by serving extra sows during the summer period can avoid empty crates in the farrowing house later in the year.

Figure 2  The effect of season on sow fertility

The benefits of computer recording and analysis are many as it not only allows you to make informed and calculated decisions about management changes on your unit, but also enables you to compare all aspects of your business with others.  But remember, don’t record for the sake of it “act on your analysis”

If you would like to discuss the benefits of computer recording and comparison of your figures, contact Mark Hawe (028944 26768) or Liz Donnelly (028944 26767) at Greenmount Campus

Mark Hawe, Pig Technologist, discusses aspects of sow herd performance with Cookstown pig producer, James Millar.