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RomelkoWeaning all piglets as healthy as possible
The number of live born piglets per sow is increasing year by year. On average, there are over 14 live born piglet in a litter and for farms ranked among the top 20% in Holland this figure is as high as 15 live born piglets. Given this many liveborn piglets, it can be a challenge to rear them all up to weaning. Supplying extra milk in the farrowing room, in cups or by hand, can support the sow in weaning more piglets. In addition, motherless rearing can also aid in increasing the number of piglets weaned.
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RomelkoSuccessful approach to piglet farming at De Heus experimental farm
Piglet rearing at the De Heus 'De Elsenpas' Centre for Practical Research has proved very successful. The specific approach and strict hygiene protocols produce excellent results: many weaned piglets per sow, good weaning weights, low loss rate and high feed intake averaging 700 grams per piglet in the farrowing stable. According to farm manager Zias Lukasse, the experimental farm is therefore one of the frontrunners in the pig farming sector.
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RomelkoReduced clostridium diarrhoea through change in feeding approach
The first day after farrowing all looks good. But on the second or third day however, suddenly there are piglets in the farrowing room that have a drop in growth. The first thing that comes to mind is that the sow has too little milk. But a more careful look shows small spots of diarrhoea lying about here and there. By means of a quick test it is easy to isolate the pathogens that are playing a role here.
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RomelkoProper sow milk supplementation is crucial
Due to improved sow genetics the number of piglets per litter has been going up for years. For pig farmers it is quite a challenge to raise all of these piglets in good health. A larger number of piglets per litter often means a decline in birth weights. This makes feed supplementation all the more important.
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RomelkoInvesting in piglets pays off
Healthy, well-growing piglets are profitable during the rearing period and,in addition, they also achieve good results in the fattening phase. These piglet will be easier to sell and might warrant a higher selling price. This is important, because the piglet selling prices determines the differences in feed profit between sow farms.
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RomelkoWeaning piglets without any problems
The piglet weaning period implies a change in environment and nutrition, and results in reduced intestinal function. This article describes the potential negative implications and what can be done about them by means of nutrition.
