Energy and Protein Interaction of the Lactating Sow

Improved genetics, nutrition, housing and management systems have permitted significant increases in milk production of lactating sows. In 1972, Boomgaardt et al. (1972) studied sows that produced about 8.5 pounds of milk daily. In contrast, Johnston et al. (1993) reported daily litter growth rates of 4.86 pounds which equates to an estimated milk production of 19.5 pounds per day. In spite of these large improvements, the genetic potential for growth of nursing piglets is still not realized (Boyd et al., 1995) suggesting that improved nutritional programs that result in increased milk production will increase growth rate of nursing pigs. Heavier pigs at weaning may be of particular importance in modern production systems that implement relatively short lactations (1418 days).