Batch Farrowing Place

Batch Farrowing Place

The cull sow issue

Setting batch breeding targets is only part of the breeding problem, achieving the batch breeding target can be a real challenge. The cull sow can be an important component of achieving the batch breeding target.

What options are there in the timing of culling?

On many farms sows are culled at the point of weaning, perhaps the decision is made even during lactation. But what guarantee does this decision give you? Very little!

There are three major times when culling should be considered:

At the end of the breeding week
At the first heat check
At the pregnancy check

What is the practical consequences of these culling policies on your farm?

Time of culling:	What can I guarantee?
Time of culling:	Number of sows bred	Number of sows pregnant	Number of sows which farrow
Lactation or weaning	No	No	No
End of breeding week	Yes	No	No
24 days post-weaning	Yes	No/maybe	No
28 days pregnancy check	Yes	Yes	No
At farrowing	Yes	Yes	Yes

What is the financial consequences of these culling policies?

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