Sow Turnover

Question 1

Culling rate: % of all sows

Answer 1

53.55%

Question 2

Death loss average

Answer 2

7.8%

Question 3

Average parity at culling =

Answer 3

3.8

Question 4

Sows must reach _____ to realize full economic potential.

Answer 4

4th parity

Question 5

Why is longevity a concern? Performance differences:

Answer 5

born alive
Litter weaning weight
Grow-finish performance

Question 6

Why is longevity a concern? 3 other reason

Answer 6

Introduction of new stock
Associated costs
Welfare issues

Question 7

Voluntary reasons for culling

Answer 7

Litter size and disposition

Question 8

Involuntary reasons for culling

Answer 8

Lameness and reproductive performance

Question 9

5 Reasons for Culling

Answer 9

1. ) Reproductive performance
2. ) Poor performance
3. ) Structure/conformation
4. ) Disease
5. ) Other: age, size, temperment

Question 10

What is the % culled for reproductive failure?

Answer 10

30-35%

Question 11

What is the % culled for old age?

Answer 11

15-20%

Question 12

What is the % culled for performance?

Answer 12

15-20%

Question 13

What is the % culled for feet/leg problems?

Answer 13

10-15%

Question 14

What is the % culled for death?

Answer 14

5-10%

Question 15

What is the % culled for other reasons?

Answer 15

5-10%

Question 16

What is the % culled for post–farrowing problems?

Answer 16

3-5%

Question 17

Majority of sows are culled because of _____.

Answer 17

Failure to conceive and failure to exhibit standing heat and abortion

Question 18

Diet additions can help reproductive problems:

Answer 18

Choline and Folic acid

Question 19

Choline may result in…

Answer 19

An extra pig born/litter

Question 20

Folic acid increases…

Answer 20

pigs born alive by 1 pig/litter

Question 21

Lameness: University of Minnesota estimated that each case of lameness adds…

Answer 21

$180/sow

Question 22

What increases with lameness and why?

Answer 22

Crushing of young because sows that are lame want to lay down more

Question 23

Inflammation affects parturitioning of nutrients _____ the immune system and _____ production.

Answer 23

Towards immune system

Away from production

Question 24

Types of hoof issues (5)

Answer 24

Heel and sole cracks
Overgrown heels
Uneven toes
Wall cracks
Overgrown toes

Question 25

Diet additions to help lameness:

Answer 25

Biotin | Copper, Zinc, Manganese, AA

Question 26

Biotin decreases _____.

Answer 26

Foot lesions and toe cracks

Question 27

Copper, Zinc, Manganese and AAs added to diet decrease

Answer 27

Cull rate of gilts and young sows due to lameness and reproductive failure

Question 28

There is cost associated with sow mortality: Examples

Answer 28

Replacement gilts | Death during gestation = loss of potential pigs

Question 29

Major causes of sow mortality:

Answer 29

Replacement gilts rushed into breeding | Keeping sows past their prime

Question 30

Lame sows have _____ risk of dying.

Answer 30

40% increased risk

Question 31

More sows die during the months of _____ due to _____.

Answer 31

June-September: heat

Question 32

_____ parity sows are more likely to die.

Answer 32

First

Question 33

Sows that give birth to _____ have a higher risk of death.

Answer 33

Stillborn pigs

Question 34

_____ sows have a higher chance of death than properly conditioned sows.

Answer 34

Thin sows

Question 35

Sow mortality is also affected by:

Answer 35

Herd size and Finely ground grain

Question 36

Proper body condition =

Answer 36

Consistent reproductive performance

Question 37

Improper body condition disrupts _____ and occurence of _____.

Answer 37

Endocrine system and occurence of shoulder ulcers

Question 38

Gilts: Breed at _____ body weight on their _____ estrus.

Answer 38

Breed at 135-150kg body weight on their 2nd and 3rd estrus. | Gilt has the weight maturity to gestate, lactate and rebreed

Question 39

Body condition score determined by:

Answer 39

Pressure on the ribs, spine and hip bones

Question 40

BC score range:

Answer 40

``` 1 = thin 5 = fat ```

Question 41

Mid-gestation 3 is ideal because it has adequate

Answer 41

Fat to withstand lactation and not too fat to have farrowing difficulties or reduced lactation feed intake

Question 42

A mid-gestation BC score of 3 will become _____ at the end of lactation.

Answer 42

2.5