The Rural Voice, 2004-06, Page 50Advice
Profit by feeding sows right all the way
By Janice Murphy,
Swine Nutritionist, OMAF
Nutrition is the key component
that ensures the modern sow achieves
her genetic potential for
reproduction.
In practical terms, the actual level
of sow performance in modern herds
is well below the animal's capability.
Many farms average 20-22
piglets/sow/year compared with the
potential of 30 piglets/sow/year. If
less than 20 per cent of producers
achieve excellent levels of
performance, what is holding back
the rest? In order to achieve these
targets, we need to go back to the
basics of sow feeding and develop a
SPRUCEDALE AGROMART
-ROP INPUTS - CUSTOM APPLICATIO .
• Fertilizer and clover seed on wheat fields
• Fertilizer and Trefoil seed to renovate pasture land
The Latest Up -To -Date Equipment
LOR-AL AIR FLOW TURBO XT
Two Rogator Sprayers with 90' Booms
Nutrient Management Plans, Custom Air Flow
or ATV Spreading, Rental Units also available,
Units at each location
• animal health • fencing
• chemicals • custom application
• GPS services • fertilizer
• seed
Ag tintert
Sprucedale
Agromart
Limited
HANOVER 519-364-4070 TARA 519-934-2340
46 THE RURAL VOICE
strategy that makes sense from
beginning to end, from the
replacement gilt right through
gestation and lactation.
When it comes to nutrition, the
recipe for success includes
everything that replacement gilts and
sows need — energy, protein
(specifically essential amino acids),
essential fatty acids, vitamins and
minerals. Without all of these basic
building blocks, sows cannot support
their requirements for maintenance
and growth (body, mammary, and
uterine tissue), let alone the
requirements for fetal growth.
Replacement Gilts: Do NOT feed
replacement gilts similar to market
hogs. Since gilts selected to enter the
breeding herd have superior growth
rates and lower backfat levels, they
will have higher nutrient
requirements than their counterparts
headed for the finishing barn. A
typical market hog diet will not
provide sufficient nutrients to
prepare the gilt for a long, productive
breeding life. For example,
replacement gilts need higher levels
of calcium and phosphorus (0.1 per
cent above market hog requirements
from 50-120 kg body weight). These
levels will maximize bone
mineralization to improve longevity.
Gestating Sows: If there was an
overall guiding principle for dry sow
feeding, it would be "do NOT
overfeed sows during gestation"
since it lowers feed intake during
lactation. During gestation, feeding
levels of 1.8 to 2.5 kg/day will be
satisfactory for most dry sows
assuming they are housed under
reasonable conditions, free of
parasites, and are fed individually.
Factors that will adjust feeding
levels include the size and body
condition of the sow, the type of
housing and environment provided,
the method of feeding, and the health
and productivity level of the herd.
Not all sows are created equal —
the heavier the sow, the greater the
maintenance requirement and the
greater the amount of feed required.
Continued on page 47