Improving Sow Longevity and Performance Through Slow-Growth Diets: Research Findings and Implications

Researchers at the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station have made a groundbreaking discovery that could revolutionize the swine industry. By implementing a slow-growth diet for female pigs before breeding, they found that not only did the piglets thrive, but the momma pigs were healthier and lived longer.

Charles Maxwell, a professor of animal science at the experiment station, explained that the traditional practice of feeding female breeding pigs the same as “terminal line” pigs before breeding often led to overweight sows. This resulted in weight loss during lactation, poor fertility, and ultimately the need for replacement sows after just one breeding cycle.

To combat this issue, Maxwell and his team conducted a two-year study that involved feeding young female breeding pigs a low-nutrient diet to reduce their lysine amino acid intake. The results were astounding – the sows on the low-nutrient diet produced more piglets, had better body condition during lactation, and ultimately farrowed more litters over four reproductive cycles.

The study also showed that the sows fed a low-nutrient diet as gilts did not reduce feed intake once they were bred and lactating, and their conception rate was not impacted. In fact, they produced an average of 4.5 additional pigs at birth, 4.6 more pigs born alive, and 4.2 more pigs weaned compared to the control group.

Maxwell and his team believe that they are on the right track to improving sow longevity, but they acknowledge that there is still more work to be done. They are continuing to research ways to further enhance the health and productivity of momma pigs in the swine industry.

The concept of sow farms in Arkansas has also evolved to focus on developing high-health replacement gilts to supply the swine industry with top-quality females. This shift has been successful in part due to Arkansas being relatively free of significant swine diseases found in other regions.

Overall, the research conducted by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station has the potential to greatly impact the swine industry, leading to healthier and more productive momma pigs and ultimately increasing profitability for swine producers.