THE OCCURRENCE AND IMPACT UPON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF HEALTH EVENTS AND PROLONGED ACCLIMATISATION - A LONGITUDINAL STUDY AT STOTFOLD PIG DEVELOPMENT UNIT
C. Papadopoulou, A.J.C. Cook, J. Iversen, L. Snow, M. Bushnell and A.R. Rycroft

Abstract
A three-year longitudinal study was conducted in the pig breeding herd at the Meat & Livestock Commission Pig Development Unit at Stotfold. Data from the breeding herd records and results from serological and bacteriological investigations were analysed to investigate the effect of prolonged acclimatisation and pig health upon parameters of reproductive performance. The analysis revealed limited evidence of an association between duration of acclimatisation and reproductive performance, with gilts that were heavier at entry rearing fewer piglets and having longer weaning-service intervals. This was considered to be of lesser importance than other recognised factors affecting reproduction.

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