The Rural Voice, 1983-09, Page 38WINTER WHEAT
Custom cleaning and bagging
Seed Wheat available bag or bulk
A. Mac Armstrong
R.R. 2, Teeswater 519-392-6721
• Full line of passenger, truck & agriculture tires
• Tractor duals
• On -the -farm service
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Hanover 364-2661
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11 MECHANICS AT YOUR SERVICE
PG. 36 THE RURAL VOICE, SEPTEMBER 1983
FARM ADVICE
Best weaning age?
Weaning age can have a con-
siderable effect on the subsequent
reproductive performance of the sow
as well as the post -weaning perfor-
mance of the pig. Weaning sows
earlier can result in improved sow
productivity in terms of
pigs/sow/year. However, weaning
too early can result in a longer wean-
ing to conception interval, smaller lit-
ters and lower rates of conception.
After reviewing approximately 15
different trials comparing various
weaning ages for sow and piglet per-
formance, the following conclusions
are apparent.
Weaning earlier than three weeks
causes an increased weaning to con-
ception interval. However, there is lit-
tle difference in this interval for sows
weaned at three, four or five weeks.
Acceptable conception rates can be
achieved with three-week weaning;
however, weaning earlier than three
weeks can result in significantly lower
conception rates.
It is possible to practice three-week
weaning without a significant reduc-
tion in litter size. In terms of
pigs/sow/year, three or four week
weaning gives optimum results.
There is very little difference in the
performance of piglets weaned at
three or five weeks of age. Piglets
weaned at three weeks may ex-
perience a slightly longer growth
check. However, by five or six weeks
of age, there is little difference in
piglet weight or feed conversion.
Weaning earlier than three weeks is
not practical in terms of piglet perfor-
mance.
In terms of performance it is evi-
dent that the optimum age at weaning
is three weeks; however, there is also
a cost factor to consider. Because
good weaner facilities are often lack-
ing, it means additional capital ex-
penditure. There has to be a trade-off
between improved sow productivity
and economics.
Cathy Scott
Use productive value
Canadian farmers thinking of ex-
panding their acreage should base
their decision on the increased profits
from additional crop production, and
not on anticipated land value, says
Gerry Chamberlain, Scotiabank's
Director of Agricultural Services.
He says, with land prices becoming