Dr. Billy Flowers - Lauren Christian Endowed Lecture on Swine Reproduction - Sow Longevity

Differences among Commercial Farms with High and Low

Sow Longevity

W.L. Flowers

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, N.C.

Developmental Period

It would be useful to know

to what degree management during the

Developmental and Functional Periods influence longevity;

and whether Interactions between the two are present.

Multiplication Farm

Low Longevity Farm8% sows farrow 6 litters

High Longevity Farm28% sows farrow 6 litters

Birth weight;Pre-weaning growth;Post weaning growth;Body composition; andResponse of vulva to low doses of gonadotropins @ 140 days of age.

WeaningRebreeding

Interval

Farrowing

Gestation

Lactation

Breeding

FunctionalPeriod

Estrous Scores ;Breeding Scores;Semen Handling & Quality;Farrowing management;Lactation feed intake;Sow weight changeSow body composition changes;Litter characteristics;Fostering management;Environmental parameters; and Feed quality.

Multiplication Farm

512 gilts (Spring replicate)

Low Longevity Farm256 gilts; rebred after P1

High Longevity Farm256 gilts; rebred after P1

Multiplication Farm

512 gilts (Spring replicate)

Characteristics of Gilts delivered to Commercial Sow Farms

230 lbs6 months of ageNo prior boar exposure on Multiplication Farm

Gilts not eligible for delivery included those having poor feet & legstructures, poor underlines, and infantile vulva.

Standard operating procedures for both farms are as follows:

first estrus, recorded but gilts not bred;

separate gilts with recorded estrus from non-estrus pool;

breed on second (or later) detected estrus;

after first insemination move into breeding crate; and

2 weeks after last insemination move to gestation crate.

Entry of Gilts on Farms until First Breeding

CWEST

Curtain - sides

NORTH

EAST

60 breeding stalls in front of 15breeding pens




90 gestation stalls

90 gestation stalls

90 gestation stalls

90 gestation stalls

90 gestation stalls

90 gestation stalls

90 gestation stalls

90 gestation stalls

Exhaust fans – 4 ft. diameter

Curtain - sides

SOUTH

Evaporative cooling inlet – 6 ft. x 12 ft.(Cool Cell)

Fe

ma

les

rem

ain

ing

in p

rod

uctio

n (

%)

E = EntryB = Breeding - gilts F = FarrowingR = Rebreeding

Female Inventory Changes through Rebreeding after First Parity

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

F1

100

0

R1 F2 R2 F3 R3 F4 R4 F5 R5 F6E B

Production phase

p < 0.05*

*

Low Longevity

**

High Longevity

High Low Longevity Longevity

Gilts delivered to farm that are bred 93% 82%Gilts per pen (12 ft x 12 ft) 8 10High/Low temperatures in barn (oF) 84/68 83/64

Designated person – gilt estrus/breeding Yes NoGilt estrus/breeding separate from sows Yes YesDaily boar exposure per pen (min) 15 15

Heat, check boars – age (months) 14 > 24Heat, check boars – libido good moderatePeriodically collect heat check boars Yes No

Entry of Gilts on Farms until First Breeding – Farm Comparisons

Initial Reaction to Boar 1 – Standing reflex immediately2 – Standing reflex only after back pressure and handling

Maintenance of 1 – Solid without boar contactstanding reflex 2 – Solid only when boar is in front

3 – Fidgety even with boar in front

Acceptance of 1 – Sow takes semen smoothlySemen without technician’s help

2 – Sow takes semen with periodic help from technician3 – Technician has to work constantly to inseminate sow

Estrous and Breeding Scoring System

Acceptance of Semen

Estrous and Breeding Scores - Gilts

2 31

First Mating

High Longevity FarmLow Longevity Farm

Initial Reaction to Boar

Maintenance of Standing Reflex

First Detected Estrus



2 31


keep sows in breeding crates for two weeks, then move them to gestation crates;

pregnancy detection is performed via real-time ultrasonography at 28 days post breeding;

feed levels are adjusted according to body condition as appropriate

Gestation Management of First Parity Sows

CWEST

Curtain - sides

NORTH

EAST





90 gestation stalls

90 gestation stalls

90 gestation stalls

90 gestation stalls

90 gestation stalls

90 gestation stalls

90 gestation stalls

90 gestation stalls

Exhaust fans – 4 ft. diameter

Curtain - sides

SOUTH

Evaporative cooling inlet – 6 ft. x 12 ft.(Cool Cell)

Fe

ma

les

rem

ain

ing

in p

rod

uctio

n (

%)



90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

F1

100

0

R1 F2 R2 F3 R3 F4 R4 F5 R5 F6E B

Production phase

p < 0.05*

*

Low Longevity

**

High Longevity


Gestation losses 9% 11%High/Low temperatures in barn (oF) 84/68 83/64

House gilts together when moved Yes NoSize of group when moving females 2 - 3 2 - 3Person doing moving Designated RandomMethod of moving Hands Cutting board

Body condition score prior to farrowing 3.3 3.3

Gestation Management of First Parity Sows – Farm Comparison

Standard operating procedures sows are moved into farrowing crates 3 days before their due date. P1 sows are not induced to farrow.

Farrowing Management of First Parity Sows

CWEST

Hall way

NORTH

EAST

Heater inside each room

SOUTH

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

1

Fe

ma

les

rem

ain

ing

in p

rod

uctio

n (

%)



90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

F1

100

0

R1 F2 R2 F3 R3 F4 R4 F5 R5 F6E B

Production phase

p < 0.05*

*

Low Longevity

**

High Longevity


P1 sows not rebred after first lactation 5% 12%High/Low temperatures in barn (oF) 84/71 83/70

Size of group when moving females 2 - 3 2 - 3Person doing moving Random RandomMethod of moving Hands Cutting boardSows farrowing in gestation barn < 1 % 5%

Sows assisted during farrowing 15% 3%Incidence of retained pigs or placenta < 1% 7%Incidence of post farrowing discharge 2% 2%

Farrowing Management of First Parity Sows – Farm Comparison

Standard operating procedures during lactation are as follows:

sows are fed two to 3 times daily to appetite;

pigs allowed to nurse birth sow for first 24 hours, then fostered as necessary;

pigs processed on day 1 and males castrated on day 3;

“bump weaning” does occur in order to meet weaning targets.

Lactation Management of First Parity Sows


P1 sows not rebred after first lactation 5% 12%High/Low temperatures in barn (oF) 84/71 83/70

Average lactation length (days) 19.3 17.8Weight loss during lactation (lbs) 65.1 73.4Body condition at weaning 2.3 2.4 Sows that experience a drop in feed intake 7.3% 15.9%“Bump weaned sows” 15% 20%

Number born alive 11.1 10.8Number born dead 0.8 0.9Pre-weaning mortality (%) 9.8 10.5Number weaned 10.0 9.7

Lactation Management of First Parity Sows – Farm Comparison


sows weaned into crates;

third day after weaning estrus detection begins;

sows backed out of crates each day into a pen with boarspenned on either side;

first mating occurs in pen;

subsequent matings done in crate with boar in front;

sows bred once each day of estrus.

Rebreeding Management


Gilts delivered to farm that are bred 5% 12%High/Low temperatures in barn (oF) 84/68 83/64

Designated person – breeding/estrus No NoSow estrus/breeding separate from gilts Yes Yes

Heat, check boars – age (months) 14 > 24Heat, check boars – libido good moderatePeriodically collect heat check boars Yes No

Rebreeding Management – Farm Comparisons

Acceptance of Semen

Estrous and Breeding Scores - Rebreeding

Mating in Pen

High Longevity FarmLow Longevity Farm



2 31

Acceptance of Semen

Mating in Crate



2 31

Multiplication Farm



Gilt

s de

live

red

to fa

rms

bu

t no

t bre

d (

%)

6

12

18

0

2.6 – 3.5 lbs > 3.6 lbs< 2.5 lbs

Birth Weight Categories

Low Longevity

p < 0.05

*

*

Interaction of Birth Weight of Gilts with Farm Retention

High Longevity

*

Fe

ma

les

rem

ain

ing

in p

rod

uctio

n (

%)



90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

F1

100

0

R1 F2 R2 F3 R3 F4 R4 F5 R5 F6E B

Production phase

p < 0.05*

*

Low Longevity

**

High Longevity

Some aspects of fetal developmentprobably respond the same way to competition

as pig growth in “crowded pens”.

6 developing fetuses12 developing fetuses

Piglet Birth Weight (lbs)ReproductivePerformance 2.0 – 2.8 > 3.5

Age at puberty (days) 188 + 8 170 + 6

Ovulation rate 12.9 + 0.6 15.3 + 0.7

Embryonic survival (%) 69 + 7 83 + 6

Birth Weight and Reproductive Performance of Gilts

(Flowers, unpublished)



Large differences in gilts delivered to farms, but not bred.

High Longevity Farm has designated gilt estrus detectiontechnician and appears to have better heat check boarmanagement.

Qualitative assessment of standing reflex and subsequent mating quality is better on High compared with Low Longevityfarm.



Small differences in females that fall out during first gestation.

High Longevity Farm has designated person to move gilts from breeding to gestation areas and move fewer animals ata time compared with Low Longevity Farm.



Large differences in P1 sows that farrow, but don’t rebreed.

High Longevity Farm more aggressive assisting sows duringfarrowing and has lower incidence of retained pigs comparedwith Low Longevity Farm




Sows on High Longevity Farm have longer lactations; a lowerincidence of short periods of reduced feed intake althoughbody weight and body condition losses appear to be similarbetween the two farms.




High Longevity Farm appears to have better heat check boarmanagement.

Qualitative assessment of standing reflex and subsequent mating quality is better on High compared with Low LongevityFarm for the subsequent mating in stalls.

Multiplication Farm

There probably is a minimum birth weight below which gilts simply don’t have the reproductive machinery to function adequately as adults no matter how well they are managed subsequently.

Graduate Students Undergraduate StudentsDr. Jean Popwell Dr. Chad Smith

Dr. Lauren Job

Charlotte Meli Emily ToskyDr. Brad Belstra Dr. Patrick O’QuinnJennifer Griffin Dr. Catherine HefleyDr. Kara Stewart Dr. Kyle Lovercamp Dr. Lisa Thompson Frances Turner Kristey Kenney

Grayson Taylor

Sara Shute Nikhol GarbacikShelley Swing Stefani Garbacik

Growth Measures R2 P value

Weaning weight (lbs) 0.12 (12%) 0.09

Pre-weaning gain (lbs) 0.22 (22%) 0.03

Post weaning gain (lbs) 0.07 ( 7%) 0.15

Total growth 0.41 (41%)

Other factors 0.59 (59%)

Association of Growth Characteristics with Longevity

(Flowers et al., in press)

Effect of Neonatal Environment on Female Response to Early Boar Exposure

Neonatal Environment

Variables < 7 pigs > 10 pigs

Proportion of gilts in estrus 77.0 53.028 days after exposure (%)

Average number born 11.3 10.8alive – early responders

Average number born 10.3 10.2alive – late responders

(Flowers et al., in press)*

*

†

†

p < 0.08p < 0.05

LH, FSH

Estrogens

+

LH, FSH

Estrogens

Positive responseat 140 days of age

No responseat 140 days of age

Fe

ma

les

rem

ain

ing

in p

rod

uctio

n (

%)


Interaction of Birth Weight of Gilts with Farm Retention

90


80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

F1

100

0

R1 F2 R2 F3 R3 F4 R4 F5 R5 F6E B

Production phase

2.6 - 3.5 lbs

< 2.5 lbs

> 3.6 lbs

There probably is a minimum birth weight below which gilts simply don’t have the reproductive machinery to function adequately as adults no matter how well they are managed subsequently.

While most of the follicles on the ovaries are presentat birth they begin to acquire their functional competence during the next 30 days – most of whichoccurs during their nursing period.

Producers have very little control prospectively over birth weight, but

can affect pre-weaning growth.

< 7 pigs nursing> 10 pigs nursing

Far

row

ing

rate

(%) 90

80

70

60

2

100

0

3 4 5 61

Sow ParityN

umbe

r Bor

n A

live

11

10

9

2

12

0

3 4 5 61

Sow Parity

> 10 piglets (10.5 + 0.2)

< 7 piglets (11.0 + 0.1)

p < 0.07

> 10 piglets (83.3%)

< 7 piglets (88.7%)

p < 0.05

Reproductive Performance and Neonatal Litter Size

Reducing competition during the neonatal periodenhances early ovarian development which improvedlongevity.

What can we measure during this period to accuratelyassess growth and development of gilts?

So

ws

that

pro

du

ced

6 li

tters

(%

)Interactions between Birth Weight and Neonatal Litter Size


40

30

20

10

50

0

2.6 – 3.5 lbs > 3.6 lbs< 2.5 lbs

Birth Weight Categories

> 10 piglets

< 7 piglets

p < 0.05

*

*

*

Growth Measures R2 P value

Weaning weight (lbs) 0.06 ( 6%) 0.14

Pre-weaning gain (lbs) 0.14 (14%) 0.04

Pre-weaning gain / 0.22 (22%) 0.001

birth weight (%)

Total Growth 0.42 (42%)

Other factors 0.58 (58%)

Association of Growth Characteristics with Longevity


Pre-weaning growth and pre-weaning growth relative to birth weight appear to have positive associationswith sow longevity and lifetime productivey

The best physiological test for longevity would besomething that mimics what the mature sow asked required to do effectively each parity.

Gilt

s ex

hib

itin

g vu

lvar

sw

elli

ng (

%)

Effect of Neonatal Litter Size on Response to PG600

80

60

40

20

100

100

0

120 140 16080

Age of gilts (days)

> 10 piglets

< 7 piglets

p < 0.05

*

* *

*

Strategic use of commercially available gonado-tropins might be a way to screen for gilts capableof early puberty without using a boar.

151413121110

98

0

Num

ber

Bor

n A

live

10 20 30 40 50

Litter Birth Weight (lbs)

Relationship between Number Born Aliveand Litter Birth Weights

151413121110

98

0

Num

ber

Bor

n A

live

10 20 30 40 50


Number Born Alive and Litter Birth Weights

2.5 lb birthweight

Market animals ?

PotentialReplace-ment gilts

151413121110

98

0

Num

ber

Bor

n A

live

10 20 30 40 50


Number Born Alive and Litter Birth Weights

2.5 lb birthweight

Replace-ment gilts

3.6 lb birthweight

StrategicCrossfostering

Characteristics of Source

Delivered to farm ready to breed 58 %Purchased from external source 5 %Internal multiplication program 53 %

Delivered to farm prior to breeding age 40 %

Weaned piglets 12 %

Nursery pigs 28 %

No outside delivery – produced on farm 2 %

Source of Replacement Gilts for Commercial Farms in N.C.



Periodic assessmentof managementduring development.

Dr. Billy Flowers - Lauren Christian Endowed Lecture on Swine Reproduction - Sow Longevity

Health & Medicine

Transcript of Dr. Billy Flowers - Lauren Christian Endowed Lecture on Swine Reproduction - Sow Longevity