Active Research

Ontario Pork has a call for research proposals once a year. These projects were approved for funding by the board on recommendation of the research committee. If you have questions or need further information about the research posted here please contact Jessica Fox at jessica.fox@swinehealthontario.ca

Active Research

Post farrowing sow behaviour and its relationship to crushing

Project 21-07 - Dr. Tim Blackwell

Dr. Tim Blackwell, OMAFRA

Producers have begun to discuss if there is a relationship between sow behaviour after farrowing and crushing deaths and if so how to influence that in a positive manner. Although most producers wean more pigs today than they did just a few years ago, they also are recording more crushing deaths in part due to larger littersizes and in some cases an increase in light weight pigs born. Producers have discussed whether feeding frequency in the first days after farrowing influences how often the sow gets up and by extension, how often she puts her pigs at risk of crushing. This pilot study is designed to investigate sow behaviour in the first 72 hours after farrowing when the majority of crushings occur.