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Effect of Delaying Service in Purebred Sows on First and Second Litter Performance

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 November 2017

J. T. Mercer  and
M. J. H. Francis
J. T. Mercer
Affiliation:
National Pig Development Company, Manor House, Beeford, Driffield, North Humberside, Y025 8BD
M. J. H. Francis
Affiliation:
National Pig Development Company, Manor House, Beeford, Driffield, North Humberside, Y025 8BD
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Extract

Selection for improved growth and efficiency has probably led to later maturity in pigs, so that gilts only reach puberty at heavier weights than they did ten years ago. A consequence of this might be that it would be beneficial to delay first service in the modern gilt. Previous analysis of a breeding company's herd records showed a significant relationship (b=0.05) between age at first effective service and total numbers born in the gilt litter.

As a result of these findings a minimum age at first service has been stipulated for purebred gilts of 240 days across all NPD herds. Farrowings under this regime commenced in February 1987, and the reproductive performance since that date has been monitored and compared against that for the previous 12 months.

Type
Sow Performance
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production (1972) , Volume 1988 , March 1988 , pp. 38
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Production 1988

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