June 23, 2008

Keeping sows after their sixth litter would result in much-reduced performance, warns Malcolm Stead, production director of UK pig breeding and pig genetics company ACMC.

Pig farmers are holding onto their older sows due to the disruption caused by foot-and-mouth and low cull sow prices, a move that has unbalanced the parity structure in many breeding herds.

Stead said they are now seeing dams that are into their eighth or even ninth parities.

Sows after their sixth litter produce lower numbers of piglets and keeping them is likely to upset herd immunity, with greater susceptibility to problems such as PRRS and PMWS, Stead warned.

Current cull sow prices are at its highest compared with previous years, with large animals fetching up to GBP 200 (US$395). As a result, ACMC is of the opinion that this is an excellent time for producers to bring in new gilts in exchange for older sows at almost no cost.

Stead said acting now could help avoid a drop in productivity caused by autumn infertility. Gilts purchased in June would not be served until August when reducing day length causes a drop in conception rates.

Mating extra animals would help ensure enough pigs are coming forward for finishing, Stead said.

Slaughter pigs are expected to be in shortage and by keeping numbers up, producers would be able to cash in on high prices, according to Stead.