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Pig Journal Volume: 52
Publication date: November 2003

Refereed Section

SEASONAL INFERTILITY IN OUTDOOR PIGS IN THE EAST OF ENGLAND
A.R. Peters and R.L. Pitt

Abstract
The breeding records for 1989-1995 were analysed for 20 outdoor pig breeding units in East Anglia, comprising over 70,000 services (>61,000 first services), to determine if a seasonal pattern existed. There was a highly significant variation in numbers of live pigs born per litter with respect to month of sow service. The mean live litter size was maximum for first services during April (11.21 0.04 piglets) and minimal for those served in August (10.62 0.04 piglets). A similar pattern occurred for repeat services and for total pigs born to all services. Also, these patterns were replicated across all parities, except parities 9 and 10. The proportion of sows returning to first service also varied with season and was highest (21.7%) for sows served during the 3rd quarter (July, August and September) compared to quarters 1, 2 and 4 (17.4, 17.1 and 15.4% respectively). There were no significant seasonal effects on weaning to oestrus interval when analysed, either by month of weaning or by month of previous service. Overall, the data suggest an average decrease in farrowing rate of approximately 5% and litter size of 0.5 piglets for services during the summer months.

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