Breeding records show that, on some farms, hybrid stock chosen for their high productivity are farrowing up to five days later, throwing breeding schedules out of whack
by NORMAN DUNN
The old rule of thumb that a sow gestation lasts an average three months, three weeks and three days is becoming out of date on some German farms.
Results from larger herds in the east of the country using hybrid stock chosen for very high productivity report that sows are now farrowing up to five days later than the conventional 114 days. Researchers reckon that the longer gestation shown by sow breeding records on these units is a direct result of breeding programs with a high emphasis on selection for maximum liveborn per litter.