| October
2005,
Vol. 8, No. 10 PEAK OF PERFORMANCE NEWS |
Hogs and Pigs: Number by Class Canadian Provinces July 1/2005
| Figures in 1,000 head | |||||
|
AB |
SK |
MB |
ON |
QU |
|
| Sows and Bred Gilts |
216.8 |
131.2 |
366.6 |
430.0 |
422.1 |
| Under 20 kg |
615.7 |
422.1 |
1020.3 |
1225.5 |
1262.2 |
| 20 – 60 kg |
621.9 |
378.6 |
796.6 |
1091.6 |
1396.4 |
| Over 60 kg |
559.0 |
438.8 |
751.0 |
967.3 |
1299.3 |
| Breed |
No. |
Average Backfat |
Loin Depth |
Loin Area |
Est. Lean Yield |
| Trailblazer |
8 |
10.8 mm |
67.9 mm |
43.0 sq cm |
63.3% |
| Pathfinder |
11 |
11.7 mm |
67.8 mm |
42.7 sq cm |
63.0% |
| Yorkshire |
30 |
11.9 mm |
66.4 mm |
41.7 sq cm |
62.7% |
| Lacombe |
17 |
11.0 mm |
66.2 mm |
41.6 sq cm |
63.1% |
Thanks to everyone for joining us as PEAK clients!
Enchant Colony has reduced its market backfat to 15.9 mm on gilts (112.4 average index) and 16.2 mm on barrows (112.0 average index) on recent settlement slips from hogs shipped to OLYMEL. Progeny are from breeding Trailblazer boars to Summit gilts.
F&S Hog Farm farrowed an AI litter in August from a Yorkshire sow with 18 total born and 15 live pigs.
Dr. Frank Aherne, Pig Industry Consultant
| Indicator |
Average values |
| Replacement rate |
60% |
| Culling rate |
50% |
| Death rate |
7% |
| Average parity at removal |
3.7 |
| Pigs weaned/sow lifetime |
35 |
Another measure of sow longevity is the number of years a sow remains in the herd before being culled. This can be calculated as:
Sow longevity = no. of litters/lifetime eg 3.7 = 1.65
years
no. litters/sow/year 2.25
For this average herd, sows remain in the herd for only about 1.65 years. Replacement rate for such a herd is: 100/1.65 yrs = 60.6%
Gilt litters in these herds is: 60.6%/2.25 = 26.9%
It is obvious that parity distribution in these herds is less than ideal. Far too many sows are being culled in their early parities. The cost of high replacement rate is very significant; estimates are that each 1% increase in replacement rate increases weaned pig costs by about $0.40 per pig. Looking at another way, for a 1000 sow unit buying gilts at $360 each the difference in annual replacement cost would be:
Culling rate No. gilts required
Cost
45%
450
$162,000
60%
600
$216,000
difference $ 54,000
Production systems with lower replacement rates are more profitable than those with high rates. The major causes of culling are still:
- Reproductive problems (failure to show heat, repeat services)
- Locomotor problems (osteochonchosis, foot lesions, injuries, conformation problems)
It has been suggested that an increase in farm size may result in animals losing their individuality and relative value. Less time is spent on one-on-one observation and therefore animals that are getting sick or are injured or losing weight may not be recognized early on. Also, emphasis on output may lead to excessive inventories and efforts to maximize output. These conditions can lead to overcrowding of animals and insufficient quality space for injured or sick animals. Shortages of labor, especially skilled, knowledgeable, experienced workers can lead to inadequate care and management of animals and result in an increase in sow mortality and culling rate. With the advent of PRRS and lean-type genotypes, the margin of error for feeding and management is low. They have increased the need for trained staff with animal husbandry skills. Use of AI for breeding, decreased drug use and confinement housing have all contributed to higher culling rates. Finally, lack of care and experience in selecting replacement gilts can have a major impact on culls. Frequently gilts are selected directly out of finishing barns and pressure to meet target sales may result in higher selection rates based more on genetic merit than on physical conformation and animal temperament. Lax standards in selecting gilts for feet and legs and freedom of movement will likely lead to early culling. Earlier breeding of gilts is cited as a contributor to high culling rate. There is, however, considerable evidence and experience showing that under good feeding and management there is no significant difference on longevity or lifetime productivity between gilts bred at any time between 6 to 10 months of age, 115 to 160 kg liveweight or carrying between 15 to 25 mm P2 fat.
Another factor contributing to high replacement rates could be that genetic improvement in modern sows has resulted in animals that have:
- lower backfat at selection and breeding
- are younger but heavier at time of breeding thus putting more weight on younger joints and legs
- have lower appetite
- superior reproductive performance
It is disturbing that many of our culls are from the gilt pool and early parities for poor reproductive performance. Management is the problem.
| Manager | Territory | Cell Telephone | |
| Les Robinson | Southern & Central Alberta | (250) 833-6196 | |
| Paul Klingeman | Pacific Northwest | (509) 989-1347 | |
| Mike Miller | Saskatchewan and Montana | (403) 317-0543 |
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