Prevent sows from being re-served due to seasonal infertility. Important tips!

Lately, seasonal infertility has kicked off again. It is a natural phenomenon occurring every fall. This state of reduced fertility is still imbedded in the genetic code of the modern pig. If you compare the results of any 3rd quarter to the rest of the annual figures, the consequences are clearly demonstrable.

This seasonal infertility is caused by the combination of decreasing daylight and the swift alternation between warm days and cold nights. The total number of non-productive days increases because sows refuse to come into heat, need to be re-served more and they will have more abortions. The sows that do farrow, produce smaller and less viable litters.

In short; without specific countermeasures, seasonal infertility has a clear and negative effect on the fertility of your sows and the quality of your piglets.

Countermeasures:

• The body condition of the sow around weaning will always determine its subsequent fertility. Limiting weight loss during the lactation is key! Stimulating feed intake during lactation is far more important than providing extra sugar after weaning (flush feeding). Provide sows after weaning with enough feed even after they are served.  Start with a high feeding schedule in the first month of gestation for a complete and swift recovery of the body condition!
• The management of a constant light scheme in the stable is very important. After weaning every gilt or sow needs 16-18 hours of light per day of 100 lux in strength. 100 lux corresponds to 1 fluorescent lamp per 2 or 3 animals placed at a meter above their heads. The lamps’ covers must be clean.
• This constant day and night rhythm will have to be maintained in the gestation stable. This stable should also have up to 16 hours of light with a light intensity of more than 40 lux.
• The temperature has to be kept constant between 18 – 21 ⁰C. Big temperature changes between day and night in particular have a negative impact on gestation. Adjust the ventilation and always keep the doors closed to prevent draft.

Solution:

Lianol Ferti is a dietary supplement that supports sows during the weaning to breeding interval. It ensures a good visible heat and it gives higher quality egg-cells. This way, the embryos will attach well to the uterine wall, develop better and ensure that the sow doesn’t need to be re-served.

Thousands of sows and dozens of tests have proven that Lianol applied around weaning results in: an increase of the farrowing rate, a decrease in the number of sows being re-served and therefore a decrease in the number of non-productive days. In average, the sows do farrow half a piglet more. Lianol makes sure that small litters caused by seasonal infertility, belong to the past. (Click here for more tests)

Find out yourself what Lianol can contribute to your farm. For further information or orders, contact your veterinarian or Ardol: info@ardol.nl

Do you want to know more about fertility management in general or how to tackle seasonal infertility in particular? Ardol is happy to give you extensive advice about the fertility of your sows"