Rethinking survivability in modern sow systems
Modern sow production has achieved significant gains in reproductive output, with larger litters and increased milk production, redefining performance expectations. However, these improvements have also created a key challenge: reduced sow longevity and lifetime productivity. Why do high-performing sows leave the herd earlier than expected?
Survivability goes beyond mortality
Sow survivability is often assessed using mortality rates, but this does not capture the full impact of early removals. In practice, early removals are driven by a combination of reproductive and structural challenges.
Low retention beyond early parities reduces lifetime productivity, even in herds with low mortality. In many systems, average parity at removal remains below 4, limiting the ability to capture the genetic potential of modern sows.
As described in Nutrition and Production Strategies for Today’s Sows, survivability is not just the absence of mortality, but the ability to remain productive across successive parities under increasing physiological demands.
The impact of cumulative physiological pressure
Modern hyperprolific sows operate under sustained metabolic stress, particularly during late gestation and lactation.
Larger litters and increased milk production raise nutrient demands. When unmet, sows may experience excessive body reserve mobilisation, delayed recovery, and increased vulnerability to reproductive and structural issues. Over time, these factors reduce endurance and increase the likelihood of early culling.
Survivability as a driver of lifetime productivity
Lifetime productivity is a more meaningful measure of success than short-term performance.
Each additional parity improves return on investment and production stability, with improved retention leading to lower replacement costs and more efficient use of genetic potential. Survivability is therefore an important driver of system efficiency.
Graph 1 – Removal of young sows is primarily driven by reproductive and locomotion-related issues (Adapted from Gruhot et al., 2017)
The role of nutrition in supporting endurance
Survivability is influenced by multiple factors, with nutrition playing a central role in supporting metabolic balance and recovery.
Nutritional strategies should support resilience, limit excessive body reserve mobilization, and promote recovery after lactation.
Trace minerals contribute to structural integrity, immune-related processes, and tissue repair, with their effectiveness depending on bioavailability.
What commercial data shows
Commercial data indicates that optimised trace mineral nutrition may support survivability. Across multiple trials, sows fed bis-chelated trace minerals were associated with reductions in mortality (5–17%) and improvements in retention to parity 3 and beyond (6–10%).
These results are consistent with an improved ability to remain productive across parities.
Graph 2 – Improvements in sow retention and reduced mortality have been observed in sows fed bis-chelated trace minerals. (Source: Zhao et al., 2012)
Structural integrity and locomotion
Structural and locomotion issues are among the most common causes of sow removals. Lameness not only affects welfare but also increases the risk of early culling.
Commercial data indicate that sows receiving bis-chelated trace minerals were associated with reductions of up to 46% in removals due to locomotion, along with fewer foot lesions and improved gait scores.
Supporting connective tissue, bone integrity, and hoof health is important for supporting sow endurance.
From reactive to strategic survivability
Improving survivability requires moving beyond reactive interventions. Addressing issues only after sows are compromised limits the opportunity to improve retention. Instead, survivability should be approached as a long-term strategy, built from early stages through appropriate nutritional and management practices.
Sow survivability is closely linked to piglet outcomes. Maternal nutrition influences both sow resilience and piglet viability, with supplementation associated with lower pre-weaning mortality, fewer low-birth-weight piglets, and improved indicators of vitality.
Conclusion
Survivability has become a defining challenge in modern sow production. High reproductive performance alone is no longer sufficient. The ability of sows to cope with repeated physiological demands and remain productive over time is equally critical.
By understanding survivability as a cumulative biological process and aligning nutritional strategies accordingly, producers can improve retention, enhance lifetime productivity, and strengthen the sustainability of their systems.
References are available on request.
