Maximizing Sow Productive Lifetime

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Prioritizing longevity, reproductive efficiency & animal welfare

By Brent Devries & Carlos Martins, Hendrix Genetics Swine

Sow Productive Lifetime refers to the duration a sow remains productive before exiting the herd. Key factors such as health, nutrition, environment, management, and genetics significantly impact a sow’s longevity. Some genetic lines are known for their robustness, while others are more vulnerable to environmental challenges. Selecting for traits related to robustness, adaptability, ‘stayability,’ or even social behaviour ensures that sows thrive in diverse environmental conditions, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient herd with solid performance.

The economic impact

A sow’s economic contribution is best measured by the consistent production of high-quality piglets over an extended productive lifetime. Sow Productive Lifetime serves as a strong indicator of total profit for an individual sow and can be measured relatively easily.

As a trait, Sow Productive Lifetime focuses on the cumulative number of piglets a sow has weaned by the time of her removal. Sows that remain productive in the breeding herd for a longer period of time generally wean more piglets over their lifetime compared to those that exit after only a few parities. Thus, older sows are more likely to recoup the initial cost of gilt development.

Research from Iowa State University suggests that sows must reach at least their third parity to become profitable. Extending sow productivity beyond this point enhances overall profitability by increasing total piglet output and reducing costs associated with premature removals.

Average parity of removed sows may imply the level of profitability for a hog operation, although true economic value is attained when a sow weans as many full-value piglets per litter as possible, repeatedly, without recycling, over multiple parities. A well-managed sow that remains in the herd longer reduces the need for frequent gilt replacements, leading to lower operational expenses and increased system efficiency.

For example, a herd with an average parity at removal of five and weaning on average 13 per litter will have a lifetime production of 65 piglets. A herd with an average parity at removal of 4.5 and weaning 13.5 per litter will have a lifetime production of 60.75, a shortfall of more than four piglets. At $45/piglet, that’s a $191/sow difference. In addition, a difference of 0.5 parities at removal is associated with a 2.5 percentage point difference in replacement rate. For a 1,000-hd sow farm, this works out to 25 gilts per year × $350 each = $8,750 per year.

Sow retention and culling decisions

The better the management of sows, especially the replacement gilts, the higher the retention rate and the lower the involuntary culling rate. Retention rate is a key indicator of herd performance and lifetime sow productivity.

To enhance gilt retention within the herd, it is essential to breed structurally sound replacement females and adhere to recommended first-mating guidelines. This, in combination with adequate body condition throughout the first lactation, will influence the success of the next reproductive cycle. There are two important goals to keep in mind: 1) Serve ≥ 95 per cent of all gilts entering the herd; 2) Of all gilts entering the barn, ≥75 per cent must be able to stay in the herd to wean three litters.

The primary reasons for sow culling decisions include reproductive failure, poor performance and locomotive degeneration. In the best situation, we have a herd where we can choose which sows to remove (voluntary culling due to age or low performance) and minimize the rate of involuntary culling (primarily due to reproductive problems and locomotion issues). So, keeping accurate herd performance data is essential to define the best culling policy.

Reasons for involuntary culling with underlying factors include:

• No heat detected in gilts – Gilt management;
• High wean-to-breed interval – Body condition, feeding program, boar exposure;
• Negative pregnancy – Heat detection, insemination protocol;
• Vaginal discharge – Hygiene, insemination protocol;
• Abortions – Stress, health status;
• Body Condition – Feeding program, lactation management;
• Poor udder quality – Gestation feeding program, farrowing management, flooring;
• Illness – Biosecurity, health management;
• Lameness – Gilt selection, flooring, body condition.
• Structural Soundness and Longevity

Structural and locomotive issues are the most common reasons for culling sows before their third parity. Sows which have significant feet and leg problems will most likely exit the herd before the third parity. As a female ages and becomes heavier, stress is placed on the feet and legs of the animal.

Overfeeding and high growth rates can exacerbate these problems. Locomotive issues may limit, for example, a sow’s ability to stand during heat, reducing reproductive success and access to feed and water. Selecting replacement gilts with proper conformation and good structural soundness helps mitigate these risks.

Reducing culling rates also minimizes the carbon footprint and costs associated with gilt development and replacement, as fewer resources are required for rearing new breeding stock. Maintaining sows in commercial environments for longer periods helps improve overall sustainability and is more stewardly.

While not a culling reason, sow mortality is naturally linked to longevity. According to our findings, Hypor Libra death losses are lower than the industry average, presenting a benefit to producers. The top farms globally using Hypor Libra sows consistently have an average sow survivability rate of 95 per cent (death loss rate of five per cent). The death loss rate (which includes euthanized sows) for all farms in the Americas Hypor Libra Benchmark has been 39 per cent lower than industry benchmark average of 13.3 per cent for the region over the past four years.

Reproductive performance and welfare

Sow welfare is a key component of sustainable production. Breeding for stayability supports improved reproductive performance and reduces early removals due to reproductive failure or poor performance. Sows that consistently wean large, robust litters contribute to a more stable and efficient production system.

Effective gilt development is crucial for reproductive success. Proper boar exposure, heat detection, and weight management at first mating ensure gilts enter the herd with strong reproductive potential. Proper nutrition management prevents excessive weight loss during lactation and ensures sows maintain body condition for future parities. A balanced feeding approach reduces feed waste and supports sustainable production.

Overfeeding gestating sows or maintaining them in an excessive body condition, can reduce feed intake during farrowing, leading to excessive weight loss and poor milk production. Additionally, initiating lactation feed too early (more than seven days before farrowing) can negatively impact productivity.

Maintaining good body condition after weaning allows sows to rebreed more quickly and contributes to large and uniform litters. In this way, it will be easier to maintain a healthy breeding herd with reduced incidence of injuries such as shoulder sores.

Proper lactation management

Proper lactation management supports piglet growth and helps maintain sow body condition, reducing the likelihood of reproductive failure in later parities. Some research indicates that teats suckled during the first lactation produce more milk and develop better in the second lactation compared to non-suckled teats. So, for healthy udder development and maximized milk production, it appears desirable to start milking all functional teats in parity one. A well-developed underline, with at least 14 but preferably 16 or more evenly spaced teats, is ideal for optimal milk production.

Genetic selection

Modern breeding programs prioritize traits that contribute to sow longevity and overall system profitability. Hendrix Genetics Swine focuses on genetic improvement by selecting for stayability, weaning capacity, and reproductive efficiency, among many other traits, for its Hypor maternal products. By integrating sustainability principles into breeding and management strategies, we aim to develop breeding stock that thrive under commercial conditions while maintaining efficiency and profitability. A well-balanced selection approach ensures that sows remain productive for extended periods, ensuring economic viability, environmental responsibility, and enhanced animal welfare.

Conclusion

Sow Productive Lifetime is a crucial indicator of economic, environmental, and social sustainability in swine production. By prioritizing longevity, reproductive efficiency, and animal welfare, producers can enhance herd performance while minimizing costs and environmental impact. Choosing robust and high-performing sows improves system stability, resulting in a better return on genetic investment and contributing to a more sustainable future for the industry. BP