The Effect of Farming System Type on Piglet Production

Abstract

Reproductive performance of sows is the main factor influencing the profitability of piglet production, and simultaneously it is a basic indicator of farm management quality. The aim of this study was to compare reproductive performance of sows from intensive and extensive feeder pig operations and the costs on those farms. Evaluated were 42 sows from extensive pig farming and 464 sows from intensive pig farming. Lifelong performance was determined for all sows. The study's results show that sows from intensive pig farming achieved a mean 2.04 fewer lactations per lifetime and were culled earlier (P < 0.0001). The mean total number of live-born piglets was 11.59% lower among sows from intensive pig farming, but these sows achieved 23.35% (P < 0.0001) higher mean number of piglets per litter. Despite shorter mean productive life, sows from intensive pig farming were more profitable. Maximizing the reproductive potential of sows has positive effect on farm profitability, and simultaneously it has no negative effect on sows' reproductive performance.

Keywords

• profitability
• reproduction
• herd
• sow
• litter size
• intensive farming