Feedingthe
hyperprolificsow
With increased piglet numbers come increased nutritional demands
on the sow.
Advances in swine productivity
through genetic selection, management, health and nutritional
strategies have resulted in reproductive
performance once unimaginable.
Feed efficiencies during the growing
and finishing phase of production have
staggering. However, currently defined
nutrient requirements are largely outdated as they are based on research
conducted decades ago.
Indeed the question has been raised,
if a technology exists to improve reproductive performance, while maintaining
be seriously considered during diet
formulations.
Recommendations vary
Traditionally, dietary formulation has
relied on the research-based require-
Improving pigs per litter per year as well as
increased longevity should be the goal.
Currently defined nutrient requirements are
largely outdated as they are based on research
conducted decades ago.
improved in the range of 25 percent over
the past 15 years. Sow reproductive efficiency has shown equal improvement
and the biological potential of today’s
hyperprolific modern genotypes is truly
or lowering cost of production and at
the same time reducing the impact on
the environment, are nutritionists not
obligated to consider it? This is a very
timely question and one that should
ments set forth by scientific collaborations such as the NRC (1998) and ARC
(1981). Also, detailed models have been
developed to accurately estimate the
amino acid and energy requirements
