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TOPIGS genetics: 26.36 weaned piglets per sow per year

Published: April 23, 2008
Source : TOPIGS
Dutch pig farmers with TOPIGS sows achieved an average production of 26.36 weaned piglets per year in 2007. Compared with 2006, this is an increase of 0.65 piglets. This picture emerged from the technical results of 942 farms with a total of more than 368,000 sows. The top 25% of farms realised an average of 28.52 piglets per sow in 2007.

A result of 30 or more piglets per sow per year was achieved at 22 farms. In 2006 only 9 farms achieved a result of 30 piglets or more.


Breeding for vitality works

From the 2007 results we can conclude that the approach of TOPIGS in the areas of piglet survival and piglet vitality has worked. In 2007, 12.75 piglets were born per litter, whereas in 2006 that was 12.47. An increase of 0.28 piglets per litter. The preweaning mortality fell slightly from 12.2% to 12.1%.

This goes against the widespread opinion that mortality will rise with increasing litter size. Therefore the increased litter size and the associated effect of a slightly lower birth weight of the piglets do not affect piglet vitality.

Or in other words, a larger litter with on average a lower birth weight does not result in a higher mortality.

The results were compiled using overviews from the sow management system sent in by sow managers. Data from breeding companies with in-house breeding that are linked to the Pigbase system of TOPIGS were also
incorporated into the overview.


Technical results TOPIGS sows 2007

Average
TOPIGS
2006

Average
TOPIGS
2007

Top 25%
breeding
companies
2007

Number farms

768

942

235

Average number sows/farm

374

391

439

Live born piglets/litter

12.47

12.75

13.25

Preweaning piglet mortality (%)

12.2

12.1

11.0

Piglets weaner/litter

10.91

11.15

11.75

Breeding company litter index

2.36

2.37

2.42

Piglets weaned/sow/year

25.71

26.36

28.52



Trend in number weaned piglets per sow per year




In figures

2002

24.46

2003

24.88

2004

25.00

2005

25.12

2006

25.71

2007

26.36


 

Trend in live born piglets per litter and preweaning mortality




In figures

live births
per litter

preweaning
mortality

2002

11.91

12.17

2003

12.03

12.10

2004

12.06

11.80

2005

12.18

11.74

2006

12.47

12.18

2007

12.75

12.14


 
Source
TOPIGS
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