Improving piglet survival under organic condition

Summary

This presentation describes the methodology and the first results of an experiment of genetic selection for lower piglet mortality. Young females (G1 generation) were chosen from sows (G0) reared in conventional herds. G1 females were raised from weaning in the organic pig farm from INRAE (Porganic). G0 sows were selected for high piglet survival, large number of weaned piglets, and indications from breeders about their ease of farrowing and good maternal behaviour. G0 and G1 females were inseminated with semen from boars selected for high breeding values. G1 females were conducted in batches of 12 females, half being crated around farrowing and half being loose around farrowing. Performance of G1 females after their 1st, 2nd and 3rd farrowing events are presented. These preliminary results suggest that piglet mortality is similar in both systems when calculated on the overall lactation but mortality seems to be slightly delayed in crated compared to loose-housed sows. First results also suggest that the piglet mortality is influenced by the behaviour of sows, even more in the situation of temporary crating around farrowing. These preliminary data were obtained within the Era-Net CORE Organic Cofund project (Power project: https://projects.au.dk/coreorganiccofund/core-organic-cofund-projects/power/). The experiment is continuing within the H2020 PPILOW project (https://www.ppilow.eu/).