A data-driven approach to improving sow retention and productivity.

by Juan Orozco, DVM, MAB; Erik Darrington; Jorge Cajamarca, DVM

Sow longevity remains a critical factor in optimizing production efficiency and profitability.

PIC (Pig Improvement Company) is a global swine genetics business owned by Genus plc, a British-based company with offices around the world, including PIC North America. It sells breeding pigs and semen to farmers to help produce high-quality pork. It has developed a structured approach to sow robustness, centered on four key pillars: genetics; P1 development; body condition and feeding management; and individual sow care.

Over the past decade, the modern sow has changed significantly. Increased productivity necessitates advancements in management strategies to support performance and longevity. Management improvements can also have a quicker impact than relying on genetics alone.

In August 2023, the PIC Technical Services team initiated a collaborative project with a 10,000-head sow operation in the midwestern United States to assess and enhance sow robustness without compromising productivity.

Diagnosing Sow Mortality Causes

A sharp increase in sow mortality over four years signaled a need for intervention.

Before implementing solutions, it was critical to conduct a comprehensive diagnostic assessment and identify the primary drivers of sow removals.

This process involved analyzing farm data, the in-person evaluations, and the conducting of assessments to address a fundamental question: Why were sows being removed?

Given the predominance of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) (44%), sudden deaths (35%), and lameness (10%), the team prioritized management strategies to mitigate these key risks.

Central to this approach was the utilization of PIC’s Sow Robustness Monitor, a quarterly evaluation tool designed to assess the implementation of these pillars and track progress across 50 KPIs (key performance indicators) over time.

Intervention Strategies to Enhance Robustness

Following the initial robustness monitor assessment, PIC’s Technical Service team evaluated key areas of opportunity and collaborated with the producer to create actionable steps across each of the four pillars:

1. Genetic Advancements: Strengthening the Foundation

A solid genetic foundation is crucial to addressing the complex challenges that affect sow longevity.

PIC has made significant investments in accelerating genetic gain to enhance sow robustness. Reproduction, lameness, and POP are the top reasons sows leave the herd (PigChamp, 2023). Knowing this, PIC has introduced three industry-first selection EBVs directly impacting longevity: digital structure, reproductive success, and POP reduction.

To optimize the genetic component of longevity, genetic selection at the multiplier level was accelerated, ensuring that only gilts with the greatest genetic potential for longevity entered the system. Additionally, sows identified as high-risk for POP were prioritized for culling.

2. Successful Parity 1 Development

Most instances of removals, both through culling or death, happen between parity 1 and 2. Key interventions focused on female development through her first parity (P1) were implemented to help prevent removals:

Gilt Development Unit Enhancements:

• Improved selection intensity started with optimized stocking density. This ensured the largest gilt pool at selection. From that large, high-quality gilt pool, only the best gilts were selected, increasing longevity potential.
• Gilt eligibility management was crucial for maximizing gilts bred within the right quadrant of weight, HNS (Heat-Not-Service), and age.
  • Implemented structured weight monitoring using flank tapes and bred at appropriate weight (300–350 lbs).
  • Initiated boar exposure at 24 weeks of age to enhance reproductive development.
  • Strictly culled gilts failing to cycle by 34 weeks.
• Ensured gilts were fed according to PIC guidelines during gestation.

Farrowing Management Adjustments:

• Expanding female development through P1 farrowing and beyond was key to success. Pre-farrowing management and sow care tactics were implemented:
  • Installed water nipples in gestation to acclimate gilts pre-farrowing.
  • Implemented pre-farrow water training.
  • Enhanced early intervention protocols for at-risk gilts and prioritized treatment.

3. Individual Sow Care: Early Identification and Intervention

Adding intention and accountability to sow care can improve longevity and increase a sow’s ability to reach her genetic potential. Management opportunities focused on providing timely interventions and treatments in farrowing:

• Increased monitoring intensity from pre-farrow through three days post-farrow.
• Enhanced focus on sows showing signs of reduced feed or water intake, and sows not standing or nursing in the first 24-48 hours post-farrowing.
• Introduction of a water-based supplement (Humysin) to increase water intake and mitigate constipation.
• Implemented strict culling protocols at weaning, prioritizing the removal of high-risk sows before subsequent parities.

The shift in management strategies increased sow longevity and resulted in notable improvements across impactful performance metrics, including PSY (Pigs per Sow, per Year), farrowing rate, and total born.

4. Sow Body Condition & Feeding

Accurate body condition is essential for retention and productivity. Data from 1,028 sows showed that sows measuring thin at due-to-farrow had a greater POP incidence compared with ideal and fat sows combined (5.8 v. 1.76% POP incidence, respectively, p < 0.001).¹

This research highlights the opportunity for producers to mitigate POP risk and enhance robustness through improved body condition management.

Due-to-farrow caliper measurements are key to understanding body condition dynamics throughout gestation. These measurements will help the producers assess whether sows are losing, maintaining, or gaining body condition during pregnancy, providing critical insights into risks and overall sow health at the farm level.

PIC recently updated its caliper ranges to account for faster and leaner-growing modern sows. These ranges also conveniently correlate with feeding recommendations to help build or maintain body condition and mitigate POP risk.

For this producer, two key body condition opportunities were identified: Greater than 15% of sows were too thin at due-to-farrow, and P1sows were losing too much body condition during lactation. To increase longevity, management strategies included:

• Standardized body condition assessments using calipers across critical stages—weaning, 30 days post-breeding, and due-to-farrow.
• Adjusted feeding program based on caliper assessments to reduce the number of thin sows at due-to-farrow.
• Identified at-risk P1 females, based on a caliper score of 1 (skinny) at weaning, and implemented protocols to breed on the subsequent cycle, enhancing recovery on under-conditioned, young sows.

Implementation and Measurable Outcomes

With a strong commitment from the farm team, implementation proceeded at a manageable pace. The most significant challenges included improving gilt management in the GDUs (gilt development units), increasing lactation feed intake, and maintaining body condition in gestation.

Gilt Development in Retention Success

Changes in the gilt development unit and early parity management take time to impact overall herd performance but are vital to improving long-term retention. By refining selection protocols and prioritizing robust gilt development through P1, this operation has already achieved a 15% improvement in retention through P2.

Adapting to the Needs of the Modern Sow

Sows produce more piglets and grow faster than ever before. To maximize their potential and longevity, management practices must evolve accordingly.

Implementing new management strategies doesn’t happen overnight. It takes planning, dedication, and consistent execution. The results of this project demonstrate that a targeted, data-driven approach can improve sow robustness while maintaining productivity. By continuously refining strategies and leveraging genetic advancements, producers can ensure their herds remain healthy, robust, and productive for the long term.

Paired with management, building a strong genetic foundation is crucial for sow longevity. Progress on new and old traits has paid off. PIC has enhanced the Camborough (a female genetics line known for its efficiency, high performance, and ability to produce large litters of uniform, vigorous piglets, resulting in a low cost per weaned pig) to record levels of productivity and robustness. Her farrowing rates, total born, and non-productive days have improved. This underlines the importance of driving genetic progress forward to create longer-lasting, more productive sows.

Learn more about PIC’s approach to improving sow longevity and productivity, contact your technical service representative or email Juan.Orozco@genusplc.com.

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1. Waltrich A, Rodrigues JVF, Filho RC, Siqueira AP, Lisboa PG, da Silva GA, Vaz GC, Silva R, Vier CM, Lu N, Cast WR, Dritz S, Orlando UA. 253 Determining the Relationship Between Different Risk Factors with Pelvic Organ Prolapse Incidence in Sows. J Anim Sci. 2022 Apr 12;100(Suppl 2):112–3. doi: 10.1093/jas/skac064.191. PMCID: PMC9003904.1

Jorge Cajamarca
Dr. Cajamarca is a Technical Services Specialist with PIC North America. He provides professional services and support to PIC customers and partners to improve the probability, profitability, and realization of the performance potential of PIC products.

Erik Darrington
Erik is a Sales Representative with PIC. Since joining the team in 2020, he has served customers primarily in the Midwest, providing tailored solutions and support. Erik combines a strong understanding of customer needs with expertise in genetics to help drive customer success.

Juan Orozco
Juan holds a degree in veterinary medicine from the University of La Salle Bajío and earned his master’s degree in agribusiness from Kansas State University. With 15 years of experience in the swine industry, he now serves as a Technical Services Manager at PIC, partnering directly with producers to improve reproductive performance.

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