The Influence of Nutrition on the Reproductive Efficiency of Young Sows

The nutrition of gilts and first-litter sows is discussed in relation to recent research findings. Preliminary data from commercial piggeries suggest that gilts which enter the breeding herd with low fat reserves subsequently have a lower reproductive efficiency . The results of three experiments indicated that first-litter sows required a different feeding strategy during lactation compared to that commonly given to older sows. First-litter sows require a higher quality diet during lactation to ensure daily intakes of approximately 59 MJ digestible energy, 730 g crude protein and 36 g lysine to minimise post-weaning anoestrus. Feed intake during lactation is unlikely to influence the subsequent ovulation rate of first-litter sows but ovulation rate and litter size may be improved by increased feed intake between weaning and mating.