Classification of sows for longevity based on total number of piglets born alive in the first parities

Abstract

The aim of this study was to classify the sows for longevity based on the total number of piglets born alive in the first parities. Data comprising the period from January 2017 to March 2020 were obtained from a commercial farm with 5,500 sows. A total of 8,869 sows were used in the analyses. The animals were divided into three parity groups according to the 1st and 3rd quartiles of the total number of piglets born alive in the first and second farrowing: parity 1 - 1L (low): <12 piglets, 1M (medium): 12 to 16 piglets, and 1H (high): >16 piglets; parity 2 - 2L: <12 piglets; 2M: 12 to 16 piglets, and 2H: >16 piglets. Sows exhibiting high performance in the first parity continued to do so up to the sixth parity. Regarding parity 1 classification, 1H sows (>16 piglets) produced more piglets than the other classes up to the fifth parity. When the parity 2 classification was added, 1H2H and 1H2M sows produced more piglets up to the fourth parity. Comparison of the length of stay of sows in the herd showed a longer mean stay of the 1H2M class. The main reasons for culling were cystitis, uterine prolapse, hoof problems, and physical condition. In general, the results demonstrated that it is possible to use the number of piglets born alive in the first two parities of sows to predict the productivity of subsequent parities. The method is able may therefore help to maintenance of the sow in the herd or culling of sows.