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Non-productive days or inefficient days?

We propose a more direct indicator to analyze and weigh the reproductive problems of a farm.

One of the parameters used to analyze the reproductive efficiency of a farm are the non-productive days (DNPs). Its definition is well known, it is all that day that a sow is not producing piglets, therefore all that day that a sow is not pregnant or lactating.

 

Although it may not be one of the most commonly analyzed parameters, Is very useful, among other things because of their easy translation into economic data: just multiply these DNPs by their unit cost, which can currently be around €3-3.5, to know the economic impact we are having with them.

Are we sure that all the days that a sow is not pregnant or lactating are DNPs?

Let's illustrate this question with two cases:

 

1. High-1st coverage interval. In many management systems and programs, we assume non-productive days from the time a gilt enters a farm (or we select it in the case of self-reposition) until we cover it.

 

But of course, what we are doing in that period is preparing the sow well (stimulating and detecting heat, controlling its growth and body condition...), until the time and ideal conditions arrive to be able to cover it for the first time.

 

Therefore, in an indirect way, we are working on a process that should be mandatory for the sow to produce piglets correctly throughout its productive life. So we should consider as non-productive only those days above the age established as a target at first mating.

 

2. Weaning-1st mating interval. The situation is very similar, they are taken as non-productive days from the day of weaning, but the sow needs a minimum period of 4 days (with some exceptions) to trigger the entire hormonal process that leads to the expression of heat and the possibility of of becoming pregnant again.

 

Again, indirectly the sow is producing piglets during those days. From that 4th day onwards they would really be non-productive days.

You want to know more? Continue reading the article on the 3tres3 portal: go to article.

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