The evolution of the modern sow and its alimentation Part 2 from Jyga Technologies

To maximize the sows’ feed intake and its performances, we should encourage the lactating sows to eat by making sure they always have access to fresh feed. (DeRouchey, Dritz, Goodband, Nelssen, Tokach, 2007) The Doctors Close and Cole highlighted that overfeeding sows at the beginning of the lactation can decrease its voluntary feed intake later on when piglets will need more milk to grow (2004). The best way of maximizing lactating sows’ feed intake is to divide up the total quantity of feed into several smaller meals (DeRouchey et al., 2007) that will match each sow’s customized feeding schedule (Aherne, 2011) in order to avoid a predisposition to MMA (Close and Cole, 2004).

Feeding manually lactating sows is a difficult task that needs a lot of time, concentration and consistency. Thus, you cannot allocate this task to anybody.

Your employees, will they take the time to correctly feed your sows every day? The feed distributed, will it vary depending on which employees are working that day? Will it be well recorded? Do your employees have the time to do well this essential task? Today, not maximizing your lactating sows’ feed intake, is it even an option?

If your sows receive less feed one day because one of your employees is tired or less concentrated, your sows will not eat more the day after; however, they will produce as much milk as they would normally by using their energy reserves which are nonexistent in today’s hyper-prolific sows instead of the nutrients present into their feed. The negative effects of their body reserves’ utilisation will then begin.

Without the automation, to divide up sows’ feed intake into several little meals and to feed their lactating sows will be a great challenge for today’s breeders given the difficulties they have to find employees who are trustworthy, meticulous and available 365 days a year to feed their lactating sows perfectly.

In 2007, Kansas State University, in their nutrition Guide, established a way of feeding lactating sows manually to maximize their feed intake. Since then, technologies and equipments evolved, and now the specialists in swine nutrition from Kansas State University are highly encouraging the automation of the lactating sows feeding process (Mike Tokach, Personal Communication).

Automation can help today’s producers to enhance their sows’ feed intake and consequently their herd’s performances as many studies showed it.

Jyga Technologies develops and manufactures the Gestal system since 1994. The Gestal system distributes small portions of feed through the day according to a flexible and individualized feeding curve in order to maximize sows’ feed intake. For further information, visit us at jygatech.com

Brief return on the WPE 2012

Last week, we exposed our feeding systems at the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa. We were pretty busy during those three days as we met with many of our current clients and also with people interested by our Gestal System. Thank you to everyone who makes that edition of the World Pork Expo a success.  If you would like more information, please contact us at info@jygatech.com or visit us at http://jygatech.com

Kansas State University

Kansas State University

Kansas State University

Work cited

Aherne, F.X. (2001). Feeding the lactating sow: a blend of science and practice. International Pigletter, September, Vol.21, No.7

Aherne, F.X. (2001). Feeding the lactating sow: a blend of science and practice. International Pigletter, October, Vol.21, No.8

Close, W.H., (Close Consultancy) and Cole D.J.A., (Notthingham Nutrition International). (January 2004). “Nutrition and management strategies to optimise performance of the modern sow and boar” Manitoba Swine Seminar 2004. Available on the web : http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/livestock/pork/pdf/bab18s01.pdf

DeRouchey, J.M., Dritz, S.S., Goodband, R.D, Nelssen, J.L., Tokach, M.D. (October 2007) “Breeding Herd Recommendations for Swine, KSU Swine Nutrition Guide” Kansas State University p.7-8. Available on web: http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/lvstk2/mf2302.pdf