Today’s high production numbers may look great on a report, but they only pay off when piglets survive the first 24 hours. To further cater the sow with her increased needs and demands, we need to treat her like the high-performing athlete that she is, giving her and her litter individualized care and attention.
This means going back to the basics of farrowing and remastering them. Making sure that each pig born is warm, dry and full of milk is the foundation for a healthy pig, a seamless lactation period, and a continually productive sow.
No excuses.
It All Adds Up
One thing we absolutely need to talk more about when it comes to sow care is the critical importance of individualized day-one care during farrowing. It’s easy to get caught up in broad management protocols and SOPs and overlook the fact that each sow, each litter, and truly each piglet is unique. I am a firm believer that those first hours of a piglet’s life are where the foundation for success of the farm is truly built.
Lactation is one of the most demanding phases of a sow’s life. Her body is under tremendous stress as she transitions from giving birth to feeding a large, hungry litter. How she’s supported during this time directly impacts not only the health of her piglets, but also her own ability to stay healthy, maintain condition, and ultimately rebreed. If we neglect this phase, we compromise her lifetime productivity.
We have always said if we take good care of the sow, she will take good care of us.
For over 20 years I’ve specialized in 24-hour, hands-on, day-one care and I can say with full confidence that this focused attention is what sets the tone for everything that follows. Making sure that each piglet born is warm, dry, and full of milk has been the cornerstone of the work that we do in our farrowing houses.
Small things done early will add up to big results. You catch problems before they escalate and be able to adjust before it’s too late. You also build a system where pigs grow better, farms run smoother, and the whole experience becomes truly more enjoyable for everyone involved- people and pigs alike.
Sow care is about being present, observant, and treating each sow like the asset she is. When you commit to individualized care, especially in lactation, you’re not only improving outcomes for piglets and sows, but you’re also laying the groundwork for a farm that runs with greater ease from a management standpoint. And I don’t think anyone will argue that healthy, happy pigs are simply a lot more fun to raise.
