The еffect of season and parity on the reproductive performance of sows

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of season and number of parity on the reproductive performance of sows kept on a commercial farm. To achieve this objective, 800 nrs productive parent sows and a total of 958 parities were analyzed. The results show that sow’s breeding season had a significant effect on the weaning-to-oestrus interval, the farrowing rate, the litter size and weaning piglets with positive results during autumn, winter and spring seasons. The number of parity has a significant effect on the weaning-to-oestrus interval, litter size and weaning piglets with acceptable values in sows with more farrowing. The results of this study on a pig farm with analysis which highlights the risk factors associated with reproductive performance of sows, could be used to improve sow farm practices.