Built from data on over 30,000 sows across global herds, the new index connects claw health directly to productivity.
Zinpro® Corporation has introduced the Zinpro® Sow Excellence Index, the swine industry’s first data-driven benchmarking system designed to help producers detect and address claw health issues before they affect productivity.
The new tool draws on more than 30,000 sow assessments from herds around the world, establishing a measurable connection between claw lesions and sow performance. Using its proprietary Lesion Index (L-Index) scoring system, producers can now benchmark herd health, longevity, and welfare against global standards through a Zinpro® Feet First® evaluation.
“Claw lesions are a silent problem with loud consequences,” said Dr. Lucas Rodrigues, Discovery Researcher at Zinpro. “Our multivariate analysis showed that sows with heel overgrowth or white line lesions consistently underperform in farrowing metrics. The Sow Excellence Index empowers producers to act earlier—not later.”
Turning Lesions into Predictive Insights
The Sow Excellence Index translates claw scoring from a simple diagnostic into a strategic production indicator. By incorporating lesion data into routine lactation checks—requiring less than a minute per sow—producers can quickly identify problems and adjust nutrition, housing, or management before performance losses occur.
“It transforms lesion scoring into a proactive management tool,” added Dr. Ton Kramer, Zinpro’s South America Business Manager. “It allows producers to benchmark, intervene earlier, and improve sow longevity and lifetime productivity.”
Key Producer Benefits
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Early warning system: Identify lameness risks before herd performance declines.
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Data-driven decisions: Quantify claw health trends through advanced analytics.
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Predictive performance insights: Link claw scores directly to reproduction and longevity KPIs.
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Enhanced welfare credibility: Reinforces Zinpro’s long-standing commitment to sustainability and animal wellbeing.
With the launch of the Sow Excellence Index, Zinpro provides the global swine industry with a validated, science-based framework to improve herd health and productivity through better claw management — strengthening both welfare and performance outcomes.
