Farmer Focus: Fine art getting gilt service weights right
© Tim Scrivener I had a day off the farm recently. Usually, when the phone goes, it is because there is a problem.
However, it was great to receive a message that the average liveborn today was 18.4 a farrowing, and this week was averaging 16.1 a farrowing.
It is nice not only to see these figures, but also to have members of the team so pleased and proud to be sharing that information.
See also: Farmer Focus: We need 40p/kg more to break even with pigs
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The key performance indicators (KPIs) for breeding herd performance seem to be settling since the new building went up. I think this is in part due to both staff and animals getting acclimatised.
One area we have identified for significant improvement is second parity performance. While all other parity conception rates for the past six months are sitting at 85-92%, parity two conceptions are just 73.88%.
To improve this figure, we are looking right back to how the gilts exit the feeding herd and enter the breeding herd, as that can have a huge influence on their performance throughout.
We have now got a decent bit of data on gilt weights at service.
Results so far indicate that optimum weight at first service is 155kg, giving a conception rate of 86.49%, whereas those at 150kg and 160kg have an average conception rate of 72.73% and 73.33%, respectively.
There appears to be a fine line between the optimum weight and one that is much less productive.
The extra 5kg of weight between 150kg and those at 155kg is also showing a gain in the number of liveborn a litter of about 0.3.
Age at first service is also a big factor in our view.
Our results suggest that optimum age is 241-246 days or 251-270 days, with the most impressive at 245-246 days, which gives a 100% conception rate and liveborn a litter average of 14.5 over the past year.
The big advantage of electronic sow feeders is that we can tailor feed plans to individual animals.
We have just started a new feed plan especially for second-parity sows.I would like to end this piece by paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, the greatest, most inspiring, and dedicated leader that the world will ever know.
Thank you Ma’am, for everything you have done for our great nation, including your support for British food and farming. May you rest in peace.