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Threshold of 14 weaned piglets reached in NUCLEUS production farms
In 2009, within pig producers having best productivity results, some batches weaned more than 14 piglets. 3 years later, this threshold has been reached in production farms. In 2011, several farms in Bretagne, Manche and Deux-Sèvres reached 14 weaned piglets per litter.
By the end of nineties, first pig producers weaned 12 piglets. 30 piglets/sow/year is now the average for all NUCLEUS pig producers. With more than 14 piglets weaned per litter, level of 35 weaned piglets/sow/year is now a reality. One of NUCLEUS pig Producer, SCEA LOTIPORC, M. Thierry Chamard, 79240 Largeasse France reached this level. Thierry has worked for 20 years with NUCLEUS genetic: Carlyne F1 gilt (Large White x Landrace) and NUCLEUS Pietrain boar. SCEA LOTIPORC wined a “Cochon d’Or” award in 2011 for its exceptional results.
“I remember of this weaning time last may when I weaned 14 piglets per sow but since this time I didn’t count anymore weaning times with more than 13 piglets” said us simply Thierry. “In any cases, in my farm, everything is normal. A pig production farm, it’s a machine you have to set precisely, and when you found good adjustments you have to not change them”. “If in one batch I have a little more productivity (in this one I had more than 16 born piglets), I am serene to wean maximum of piglets”
Replacement is very important for Thierry. This allows to cull sows on productivity level and to not keep old sows with more than 7 litters. Thierry is convinced that a good batch prepares itself during the last farrowing time and lactating sows should not be out. In his system with 28 days of lactation, he sees that he can leave 14 or 15 piglets under sows without any problems.
“It’s sure; a work has been done since some years by GGP farms on maternal qualities and on teats. I am very confident to reach in security a number of piglets higher than 16”. “Thierry is very present in his pig farm” precises Stephane Metais, its technical adviser, “its rigour and its technicity around farrowing time are essential to manage very well lactation start and colostrum intake. Even if fostering are necessary, mortality rate on live born of 8% shows its know-how.”
