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Key differences underlying top and bottom reproductive performers: analysis of management programme data

30 Pages

Author(s): Dr Kate Plush

Sow wastage in breeding herds in Australia has been of concern to the industry for many years. Premature loss from the breeding herd can be due to lameness, reproductive failure, injuries and high levels of mortality, adversely affecting potential herd productivity.

This project aimed to identify the reasons for low retention of mated gilts to parity three, identify on-farm management differences between herds with low and high retention rates, identify positive and negative influences that impact on sow longevity, develop key management practices to improve gilt and sow retention and produce case studies promoting key management practices which increase the retention of mated gilts to parity three.

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