Maximizing Sow Productivity in Pen Gestation: Top 10 Management Tips by Brad Leuwerke

Brad Leuwerke, Swine Vet Center, St. Peter, MN, provides ten top tips for managing sow productivity when using pen gestation systems.

Joe Vansickle Senior Editor

March 15, 2012

A successful transition from gestation stalls to pens requires well-trned staff and a thoughtful management plan, according to Minnesota swine veterinarian Brad Leuwerke of the Swine Vet Center at St. Peter. Leuwerke emphasizes that maximizing sow productivity hinges on the ability of farm personnel to adeptly manage the unique challenges associated with pen gestation.

1. The key to success lies in the capacity for a farm's staff to effectively address issues posed by pen gestation management.

2. Wean sows into stalls for heat check and breeding prior to being moved to pens.

3. Provide a stall environment for at least 35 days before transitioning to ensure adequate implantation, heat detection, and individual feeding of the sow.

4. For static groups females not added after penning until farrowing, implement smaller pens less than 10 that allow for efficient barn flow and utilize space optimally.

5. Conduct a pregnancy check prior to penning to ensure all housed sows are indeed pregnant.

6. Fill the pens based on weight, parity, and size considerations.

7. Manage feeding with an eye towards reducing stress:

   • Provide individual eating areas equipped with solid dividers that prevent visibility between sows while they feed.

8. Not every sow is suited for pen gestationidentify thin, overly dominant, sick, or injured females and keep them in stalls throughout pregnancy.

9. Immediately relocate any sow experiencing difficulty mntning health in the pen environment to a stall.

10. Regularly assess areas where sow fallout occurs to implement corrective measures promptly.

Different forms of pen gestation are used by Swine Vet Center clients, each with its unique setup for housing and managing sows dly. Successful producers have adapted their systems based on identifying stressors within their specific setups and making necessary modifications accordingly.

Leuwerke underscores the importance of understanding how pen design and feeding impact sow contentment:

Until definitive studies validate best practices, strong observational skills are crucial to crafting effective pen gestation systems suited for each farm's situation, he stated.

has been revised by anlanguage model designed to improve grammar, style and while mntning the core message. It was not inted for translation.

Translation of the original Chinese text into English:

Brad Leuwerke, a swine veterinarian at Swine Vet Center in St. Peter, Minnesota, shares ten essential guidelines for optimizing sow productivity when adopting pen gestation systems.

Joe Vansickle Senior Editor

March 15, 2012

Successful transitions from stalls to pens require knowledgeable staff and strategic management planning, according to Brad Leuwerke of the Swine Vet Center in St. Peter, Minnesota. Leuwerke stresses that maximizing sow productivity hinges on staff's ability to adeptly manage the unique challenges posed by pen gestation.

1. Successful management relies heavily on having a farm team capable of effectively addressing issues inherent to pen gestation systems.

2. Wean sows into stalls for heat checks and breeding before moving them to pens.

3. Provide at least 35 days in stall environments prior to transitioning, ensuring adequate implantation periods, heat detection, and individual feeding for the sow.

4. For static groups sows not added after penning until farrowing, utilize smaller pens less than 10 to facilitate efficient barn flow and space optimization.

5. Conduct pregnancy checks before penning to confirm all sows are pregnant.

6. Fill the pens based on weight, parity, and size considerations.

7. Focus on stress reduction through management:

   • Provide individual feeding areas with solid dividers that prevent visibility between sows during meal times.

8. Not every sow is suitable for pen gestationidentify thin, overly dominant, sick, or injured females and keep them in stalls throughout pregnancy.

9. Immediately relocate any sow experiencing difficulty mntning health in the pen environment to a stall.

10. Regularly assess areas where sows experience issues post-penning to implement corrective measures promptly.

Different pen gestation systems are implemented by Swine Vet Center clients, each tlored with unique setups for dly sow housing and management. Successful producers have adapted their systems based on identifying stressors specific to their setup and making necessary modifications accordingly.

Leuwerke underscores the importance of understanding how pen design and feeding impact sow contentment:

Until definitive studies can validate best practices, strong observational skills are crucial in crafting effective pen gestation setups that suit each farm's unique situation, he stated.

This revised text is designed to enhance grammar, style, and while preserving the original message, ensuring clarity and coherence for English-speaking readers.

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