Enhancing the quantity and quality of weaners

Quantity – 12 weaned per farrowing place		Quality – 22 lbs at 28 days
Increase total born – at each parity – target 14+ 3^rd parity
Ensure plenty of teats –minimum 14	Select the correct gilt – if they don’t cycle quickly cull		Considerate gilt mating arena Mate return boar+AI
Acclimatize gilts adequately PRRSv etc	Total born more important than born alive		Select future gilts from healthy large litters
Achieve All-in/All-out
Fill all the farrowing places	Avoid mixed ages		Ensure clean farrowing area
Get the lactating sow to eat
Avoid overweight gestation sows	Ensure gilts and sows have 12+ piglets to suckle		Ensure drinkers are accessible
Avoid anything which reduces lactation intake	Ensure cooling systems work – start drip cooling after 74F		Follow a strict feeding curve
Colostrum management
Change weaning day to a Monday – farrowing on a Monday also!	Note adequate feedback and vaccine programmes		Ensure all the piglets get adequate colostrum
Enhance weaning weight and post-weaning growth
Combine litters after day 14	Reduce injuries to piglets		Identify and treat all weaners who do not eat on the day of weaning