WINTER BONUS MAGAZINE 2025

Gilts are the future of your sow herd. Having a well-developed gilt at first insemination, prepares your farm for success. Therefore, it is worthwhile taking your gilt rearing seriously. In this article, you’ll find tips and tricks to manage your gilt for a bright future. Increased productivity Piglet production has increased significantly over the past years. In 2023, the average productive sow in South Africa weaned 29,3 piglets per year. Two piglets more than ten years ago. The increased production puts more pressure on the sow. Preparing the sow for a highly productive life, therefore, already starts at birth. It starts at birth Choosing the right female piglet at birth already lays the basis for a well-developed breeding sow. Do not use piglets with a weight lower than 1,2 kg as a breeding sow, as body development will be lower during her life. In contrast, piglets with a birthweight >1,6 kg will grow too fast. Figure 1 shows the typical weight development of gilts up to the second weaning, with two distinguished phases. The developmental phase, from birth up to first insemination and the functional phase, from first insemination up to culling. During the developmental phase, we expect continuous growth, which should continue up to the first farrowing. During the functional phase, up to the fifth parity, a gilt will still grow, but growth is disturbed by weight loss during lactation. e future of your sow herd. Having a well-developed gilt at first insem ur farm for success. Therefore, it is worthwhile taking your gilt this article, you’ll find tips and tricks to manage your gilt for a bright fu productivity tion has increased significantly over the past years. In 2023, the average producti ca weaned 29.3 piglets per year. Two piglets more than 10 years ago. The inc ts more pressure on the sow. Preparing the sow for a highly productive life, the at birth. birth right female piglet at birth alr dy lays the basis for a well-developed breeding s ts with a weight lower than 1.2 kg as a breeding sow, as body development will b . In cont ast, piglets with birthweight >1.6 kg will grow too fast. Figure 1 shows the pment of gilts up to the 2nd weaning, with two distinguished phases. The develop irth up to first insemination and the functional phase, from first insemination up to velopmental phase, we expect continuous growth, which should continue up to t ring the functional phase, up to the 5th parity, a gilt will still grow but growth is dis s during lactation. Figure 1 Gilt development from birth to 2nd weaning (source SNC Elsenpas, De Heus) Lia Hoving: De Heus Global Team Leader Support Swine Figure 1: Gilt development from birth to second weaning. (Source SNC Elsenpas, De Heus) Managing gilts for a bright future Lia Hoving - De Heus gl bal team Development phase Functional phase f your sow herd. Having a well-developed gilt at first inseminatio for success. Therefore, it is worthwhile taking your gilt rearin le, you’ll find tips and tricks to manage your gilt for a bright future. ity creased significa tly ver the past years. In 2023, the average productive sow 29.3 piglets per year. Two piglets more than 10 years a o. The increased ressure on the sow. Preparing the sow for a highly productive life, therefore, le piglet at birth already lays the basis for a well-developed breeding sow. Do eight lower than 1.2 kg as a breeding sow, as body development will be lower st, piglets with birthweight >1.6 kg will grow too fast. Figure 1 shows the typical gilts up to the 2nd weaning, with two distinguished phases. The developmental first insemination and the functional phase, from first insemination up to culling. tal phase, we expect continuous growth, which should continue up to the first nctional phase, up to the 5th parity, a gilt will still grow but growth is disturbed tation. aging gilts for a b ight fu ure oving: D Heus Global Team Leader Support Swin Winter 2025 BONUS www.agribonus.co.za 4