The Rural Voice, 1987-10, Page 60&Akan'
REAR LIGHTING SYSTEM
FOR ROAD TRAVELLING IMPLEMENTS
Ontario Farm Machinery Agency
44 10th St., Hanover 519-364-4413
58 THE RURAL VOICE
ADVICE
MANAGING SOWS
IN THE FALL
Reduced conception and lower far-
rowing rates in sows during the fall are
often associated with mycotoxins in
feed. But another factor is the amount of
light in the breeding area. The duration
of light is also significant in getting gilts
and sows to cycle and breed, especially
in fall and winter.
Research done at the University of
Guelph has shown that gilts having only
six hours of light a day reach puberty 42
days later than gilts having 18 hours of
light a day. Producers selecting their
own replacement gilts should pay close
attention to light levels in the finishing
barn as well as in the breeding unit.
Although little work has been done
regarding the light needs of boars, re-
search indicates that boars provided
with 15 hours of light during the fall and
winter months reached puberty earlier
than boars receiving only normal day-
light.
Sows require 14 to 18 hours of light
a day in the breeding area. In a British
study involving 33 herds and more than
10,000 farrowings, sows receiving 14 to
18 hours of light a day farrowed an
average of 0.29 more pigs, has less re-
turns (8.2 versus 10 per cent), and a 3.3
day shorter weaning to breeding interval
than sows receiving less light.
Consider installing a time clock
system in the breeding area. Also, since
dirt on light bulbs can reduce illumina-
tion up to 30 per cent, bulbs should be
cleaned routinely.0
Jim Dalrymple
Swine Specialist
Brighton OMAF
We are ready to
custom -dry your
Fast Unloading
buy,
sell, store, or
1987 corn crop.
Friendly Service
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'Licensed under the Ontario Grain
Financial Protection Program
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KOOTSTRA
Drying and Storage
R.R. 5, Clinton 482-3421 bus.
482-3180 res.
58 THE RURAL VOICE
ADVICE
MANAGING SOWS
IN THE FALL
Reduced conception and lower far-
rowing rates in sows during the fall are
often associated with mycotoxins in
feed. But another factor is the amount of
light in the breeding area. The duration
of light is also significant in getting gilts
and sows to cycle and breed, especially
in fall and winter.
Research done at the University of
Guelph has shown that gilts having only
six hours of light a day reach puberty 42
days later than gilts having 18 hours of
light a day. Producers selecting their
own replacement gilts should pay close
attention to light levels in the finishing
barn as well as in the breeding unit.
Although little work has been done
regarding the light needs of boars, re-
search indicates that boars provided
with 15 hours of light during the fall and
winter months reached puberty earlier
than boars receiving only normal day-
light.
Sows require 14 to 18 hours of light
a day in the breeding area. In a British
study involving 33 herds and more than
10,000 farrowings, sows receiving 14 to
18 hours of light a day farrowed an
average of 0.29 more pigs, has less re-
turns (8.2 versus 10 per cent), and a 3.3
day shorter weaning to breeding interval
than sows receiving less light.
Consider installing a time clock
system in the breeding area. Also, since
dirt on light bulbs can reduce illumina-
tion up to 30 per cent, bulbs should be
cleaned routinely.0
Jim Dalrymple
Swine Specialist
Brighton OMAF