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Pig Journal Volume: 47
Publication date: April 2001

Proceedings Section

EFFICIENT SOW MANAGEMENT - Three-week batching in practice
M. Hawe

Abstract
The ongoing pig crisis has resulted in a major restructuring of the Northern Ireland pig industry, with producers examining more efficient methods of production or off-farm employment. Three-week batch production provides an acceptable solution to both. With this system of production, three weeks' sows are grouped into one larger batch. This means that only farrowing, weaning or service takes place on the farm each week. This enables producers to specialise on each task. Planning is critical to ensure transition to three-week batching is possible and that accommodation is adjusted to suit batch production following the change. Gilt management also requires special attention to ensure the correct number of replacements, in the correct condition, is available when required. This production system allows for increased attention to newly farrowed pigs, improved fostering, ease of feeding lactating sows, easier grouping of sows at weaning, better heat detection and identification of repeats and an increased possibility of operating an all-in/all-out system in both the breeding and feeding herds. These advantages often result in increased performance and more efficient use of labour.

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