Effect of sow longevity on profitability

The Quebec Center of Swine Development has carried out a study of longevity, which is defined as the number of litters borne by a sow before culling. The main aim of the study was to estimate the impact of sow longevity on the profitability of a commercial pig-breeding venture in Quebec. The study demonstrated that the reasons for culling vary according to the parity profile prior to culling. In particular, the distribution of culled sows in relation to the number of litters produced may vary between farms, and the total number of culled sows may include a significant number of animals having reached parities of 0 and 1. The profitability threshold would appear to be more responsive to improved prolificity and reduced feeding costs than to the price of replacement animals.