Swine

Culling, Mortality and Lifetime Production among U.S. Sows

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Abstract

To evaluate the present situation, sow removal and lifetime production was investigated among 132 U.S. pork producers participating in the Datashare program with PigCHAMP. Of the removed sows, 18% only produced one litter before removal, and less than 50% produced five litters. Most sows (32%) were removed due to reproductive disorders and only every fifth are removed due to old age. Of the removed sows 84% were slaughtered, 3% were euthanized on farm and 12% were mortalities found on farm. On average a sow weaned 40.6 piglets during her lifetime. There was a substantial variation between farms. Producers need to be aware of that too high and too early removal of sows result in lower profitability and evaluate their situation.

Keywords: ASL R2562

How to Cite:

Engblom, L., Stalder, K. J. & Mabry, J. W., (2010) “Culling, Mortality and Lifetime Production among U.S. Sows”, Iowa State University Animal Industry Report 7(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/ans_air-180814-49