On-demand: Seminar about Sow Management
‘Sow Management’ was the first of 3 Pig Progress seminars taking place at EuroTier in Hanover, Germany, on Wednesday, 13 November. As the seminar was recorded, the session of just over 1 hour can be viewed on demand in its entirety.
Click here to view the Sow Management seminar at EuroTier on demand
In modern swine production, it is becoming increasingly clear that decent performance all starts with a proper basis. If the sows do not receive the care, attention and proper nutrition they need, the start of the life of any finishing pig is not as great as it can be. How to even further improve the conditions and performance of sows – that, in short, was the question to which 3 expert speakers tried to give an answer at this event.
Investigating the mammary gland
The seminar was kicked off by Dr Stephan Rosengart, attached to the University of Veterinary Medicine (TiHo) in Hanover, Germany. His research revolves around the use of infrared thermography and how to use that on the mammary gland of sows.
In this context he pointed to the Postpartum Dysgalactia Syndrome (PDS) – or not being able to provide sufficient amounts of milk after birth. This syndrome, Dr Rosengart said, is associated with an increased body temperature, and is the most common disease in farrowing sows. By using infrared thermography technology, surface temperature of a sow can be assessed without touching her – a very animal-friendly method to figure out whether PDS is occurring.
In his conclusion he stated that the highest temperature at the mammary gland, showed a good correlation with rectal temperature and this can help to detect PDS diseased sows. In addition, he said, sows suffering from PDS also had lower litter weight gain in the subsequent litter.
Dry grape extracts for productivity
Second on stage was Dr Paul Engler on behalf of animal nutrition company Nor-Feed. He zoomed in on sow productivity and how to ensure that using dry grape extracts. In that context he came to speak about oxidative stress, which he described as a major limit to sow productivity. Supplementation of the sow’s feed with efficient anti-oxidants therefore would be crucial, he concluded, to address sow performance and longevity. He introduced his company’s solution (Nor-Grape), which is a selection of grape polyphenols.
Sow health management
The seminar was concluded by a presentation of Dr Sangita Jalukar on behalf of animal nutrition company Arm & Hammer. Her presentation started off with a focus on the increase of sow productivity over the years. Hyperprolificacy, however, may also have downsides like high piglet mortality and potential longevity problems. Therefore she discussed the solution Celmanax, a complex of various feed additives. The product can address birth and weaning weights, and reduce mortality which allows for 1.7 extra pigs weaned per sow per year, she told.
Click here to view the Sow Management seminar at EuroTier on demand
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