Written by Emma Monteiro, Nutritionist at Agrifirm
Sow nutrition is a cornerstone of pig farming, directly affecting the health, growth, and survival of piglets and, by extension, the overall productivity and efficiency of the farm.
This article explores how optimizing sow nutrition at critical stages during gestation and after weaning can result in healthier, more uniform piglets, and ultimately boost farm performance. From addressing the challenges of larger litter sizes to understanding the importance of post-weaning nutrition, these insights provide practical guidance for improving piglet production and ensuring sustainable operations.
The link between sow nutrition and birth weight
In the last few years, pig farming has experienced a noticeable trend towards larger litter sizes. While this increase generates higher productivity, it also introduces new challenges for farmers. Larger litters often lead to greater competition for nutrients within the uterus, which can negatively impact the growth of the individual piglets.
Birth weight is a key indicator of a piglet’s potential for growth and survival. Heavier piglets generally grow faster and have lower mortality rates, whereas those born with lower birth weights often face slower development and greater vulnerability to health issues. Nutrition is crucial in mitigating this challenge. By providing the sows with a well-balanced diet during gestation, farmers can ensure that all of the piglets receive adequate nutrients for healthy development, which results in more uniform birth weight and evenly developed litters.
The direct link between sow nutrition and birth weight highlights the importance of carefully managing the sow’s diet. Proper nutrition enables sows to better support their developing piglets, reducing the risks associated with low birth weights and improving overall litter uniformity.
Intrauterine growth-retardation in piglets
One of the most significant challenges associated with sow nutrition is the occurrence of intrauterine growth-retarded (IUGR) piglets. Accounting for 6-10% of the litter, these piglets are born smaller and weaker, often with underdeveloped gastrointestinal tracts, which impairs their ability to consume colostrum and delays gut maturation. As a result, IUGR piglets tend to show slower growth and are more likely to die, particularly within the first 24 hours of life.
Figure 1- Morphological differences between normal and IUGR piglets. Top row: Side view of a normal piglet (left) showing smooth facial contours and a rounded snout (green lines), compared to an IUGR piglet (right) with a distinctive “dolphin-shaped” head, concave profile, wrinkled nose, and pointed snout (red lines and arrow). Bottom row: Top-down view of a normal piglet (left) with a broad, straight body shape (green lines), contrasted with an IUGR piglet (right) exhibiting a narrow body and concave sides (red lines and arrows).
Source image: PreventionWorks.info. (n.d.). Sow nutrition: Its impact on piglet litter uniformity and farm efficiency. Retrieved from https://www.preventionworks.info/knowledge-hub/real-piglet-handbook/strong-and-active-piglets/strong-active-piglets-versus-intra
Insufficient nutritional supply during gestation is a leading cause of IUGR in piglets. When sows lack adequate nutrients, the growth and development of their piglets is compromised, resulting in lower birth weights and increased mortality rates. This deficiency not only impacts the health and survival of the individual piglets but it also creates greater variability within the litter, reducing overall farm productivity.
In addition to nutrient supply, factors such as uterine space competition and embryo development significantly influence the risk of IUGR. Early-stage nutritional management is essential to supporting optimal embryo development and to creating a favorable environment for growth.
By addressing these factors, farmers can mitigate the risks of IUGR and produce healthier, more uniform litters. Well-nourished sows are better equipped to nurture their developing piglets – which improves both piglet health and overall farm efficiency.
Embryo and placentation development: keys to litter uniformity
Uniform embryo and placental development are essential for achieving consistent litter outcomes. Early embryo development, supported by an adequate nutrient supply, plays a crucial role in ensuring proper placentation (the process critical to establishing the connection between the embryo and the uterine wall, which sets the foundation for nutrient and oxygen exchange). Proper placental development ensures equitable resource distribution among embryos, which is vital for piglet homogeneity. Typically, embryos that develop early form larger placentas, which grants them greater access to nutrients, leading to larger, healthier piglets. In contrast, late-developing embryos often form smaller placentas and thus experience limited nutrient availability, which results in poor growth, lower birth weights, and higher mortality rates.
In the beginning of gestation – in particular, the first four weeks post-conception – proper nutrition is essential for fostering uniform placental development and minimizing growth disparities among embryos. Early intervention with balanced nutrients helps establish the foundation for piglet homogeneity by ensuring consistent growth among littermates.
As gestation progresses into later stages, the focus shifts toward maximizing fetal growth and achieving optimal piglet birth weights. Adequate maternal nutrition during this period is vital to sustaining growth, with tailored feeding strategies playing a key role in achieving desirable reproductive outcomes. By addressing the specific nutritional needs of early and late gestation, farmers can support the growth of individual embryos and reduce variability within the litter, ultimately fostering more uniform piglet growth and improved reproductive outcomes.
Post-weaning nutrition’s impact on reproductive performance
But nutrition is still critical after the birth of a litter. Post-weaning nutrition is essential to maintaining long-term productivity. After weaning, sows require support in regaining body condition and preparing them for future pregnancies. A well-balanced diet during this recovery phase not only aids in restoring the sow’s health but it also improves milk production, which is vital for supporting current litters and ensuring optimal reproductive performance in the next cycle.
One effective post-weaning strategy is the implementation of ‘flushing’, which involves increasing the sow’s feed intake after weaning. This practice accelerates recovery and ensures that the sows are in optimal condition for future breeding. Energy-dense feeds, particularly those rich in starches and sugars, play a crucial role during this phase. These feeds help maintain milk production and regulate key hormones (such as insulin and IGF-1), which are essential for follicle development and overall reproductive success. By prioritizing post-weaning nutrition, farmers can improve reproductive efficiency and enhance their farm’s productivity.
Conclusion
Optimizing sow nutrition is more than just a management practice – it’s a strategy for success in pig farming. Proper nutrition throughout the sow’s reproductive cycle – from gestation to post-weaning – supports piglet growth, reduces mortality, and improves the health of future litters. Addressing challenges such as low birth weight, IUGR, and uneven litters requires evidence-based nutritional solutions. Products such as C-Vita by Agrimprove are designed to address the challenges of modern pig farming by supporting maternal immunity, improving the quality of sow milk, and ensuring effective transfer of immunoglobulins to piglets. Additionally, C-Vita naturally reduces the prevalence of Streptococcus suis, promoting healthier piglets and improving overall farm efficiency. By investing in the right nutrition strategies, farmers can maximize productivity and achieve consistent outcomes.
References are available upon request.