The effect of plane of nutrition on reproductive efficiency of the indigenous sow

Author: D.H. Holness
Year: 1973
Issue: 2
Volume: 3
Page: 73 - 78

Three groups of 20 indigenous female pigs were reared from weaning on one of three planes of nutrition, estimated to provide 100% (high plane, 75% (medium plane) and 50% (low plane) of the nutrient requirements for growth and reproduction. Six gilts per treatment group were slaughtered on the 30th day of their first pregnancy. The remaining sows were allowed to complete four reproductive cycles and were slaughtered on the 30th day or their fifth gestation period. Gross energy values were determined of representative carcasses of both sows and eight week old piglets from each treatment group. Although there was a highly significant difference (P< 0,01) in number of piglets born and weaned per sow per annum between the high and low plane treatments, the number of litters weaned per sow per annum only decreased slightly as daily feed intake was lowered. Both total litter live body-mass weaned per sow and total litter live body-mass weaned as a percentage of dam live body mass at weaning were significantly (P< 0,0I) higher on the high than on the low plane treatment. Feed conversion efficiency was consistently lower in the low than in the medium and high plane treatment groups. The gross efficiency with which the metabolisable energy of the feed was recovered as tissue energy in the sow and her litter appeared to decrease progressively as plane of nutrition decreased. Reproductive performance in the indigenous sow is discussed in comparison with exotic breeds.

 

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