The effect of age at weaning on the productivity of the sow:

The effect of age at weaning applied for the first 5 lactation periods of the sow, on productivity measured in terms of litter size and the annual number of piglets produced per sow, was investigated. A total of 81 pregnant Landrace x Large White crossbred gilts were randomly allotted to 2 experimental groups and the litters weaned at either 21 or 35 days of age. Age at weaning did not have a significant effect on the number of piglets born or reared per litter. Weaning at 21 days produced more litters per annum (2,54 versus 2,34) .  Consequently the early weaned sows produced significantly more piglets per annum (22,5 vs 20,1).