Bonus Tydskrif SPRING SUMMER 2024 FINAL

Sows can be compared to Olympic athletes In the last 20 years, piglet production has increased significantly (Figures 1, 2 and 3). This is putting pressure on the sow’s health and welfare and can also affect the quality of the newborn piglet. Modern sows can be compared to Olympic athletes, and they should be managed accordingly. Giving birth to a high number of piglets, producing milk to obtain high piglet weaning weights and then conceiving again, demands a lot from the sow’s body. In addition, selection for leaner grower- finisher pigs leads to leaner sows, resulting in sows with less body reserves. Sufficient body reserves are necessary to ensure sow health and as an energy buffer to be used under challenging conditions, such as when feed intake may be low. Figure 1: Change in weaned/litter in Spain. (Source: BD Porc) Weaned/litter Year Sows are the most important animals on your farm. They produce piglets, give them a good start in life, and provide them with the nutrients they require up to weaning. They have the biggest influence on the size and quality of your grower-finisher herd. So, it makes sense that investing in sow nutrition and management will pay off in good returns. This article introduces focus points in sow nutrition and management which must be addressed to optimise production of the modern sow. Sows: The key to a profitable pig farm Spring/Summer 2024 BONUS www.agribonus.co.za 32