Colostrum: Do sows achieve full potential?

Sows are exceptionally well equipped for their task: to provide colostrum and milk to their offspring. However, genetic progress in terms of sow prolificacy is changing the requirements of that valuable talent. At farrowing, sows produce colostrum for about 24 hours. This helps piglets on their way, as they are born without any antibodies to protect them. Colostrum is an extremely rich source of antibodies (immunoglobulins), essential for the piglet’s defence against infections. Warmth and en