Milk supplements cut piglet mortality

Providing supplementary milk to piglets from birth could reduce piglet mortality in week old piglets, according to Harper Adams' Alan Stewart speaking at the British Society of Animal Science Conference, Belfast.

"It's not uncommon for batches of sows to farrow litters in excess of 13 piglets. And because there is pressure on the sow to produce sufficient quantity of milk to sustain these litters in late lactation as well as competition at the udder for teat space in early lactation there has been a renewed interest in systems providing piglets with constant access to milk replacer from birth," he said.

In a trial at the college farm looking at piglets given no supplementary milk; supplementary milk from farrowing and supplementary milk from day seven, researchers found providing milk ad-lib from birth via the Milk Line system increased numbers weaned by 0.65 pigs a litter.

"Providing supplementary milk from birth doesn't reduce piglet mortality in the first week, but it does eliminate fading pigs later on where high numbers born fade through poor nutritional support through lactation." Introduction of the milk at day seven was found to be less effective at delivering benefits.

But supplementary milk from birth also brings with it other benefits, explained Mr Stewart. "There is an indication milk supplementation lightens the demand on the dam, it also brings labour saving because piglets don't have to be moved, as would be the case when they are fostered. There is also a cost benefit as although the Milk Line costs £6/litter this compares favourably with the extra 0.65 piglet weaned a litter."

16 April 2010