Use Planate to synchronise farrowing and ensure that most sows farrow on the same day. Planate, another great swine product from the Schering-Plough Animal Health stable.
Planate - By Schering-Plough Animal Health - Introduction
Synchronising farrowings usually allows more supervision and better attention to detail at a crucial time for the sow, the piglets and the stockman. The benefits accrue to the overall production in reduced mortality and in better supervision using the manager's and stockman's time more efficiently.
Work can be arranged so that farrowings are brought together at times best suited to the system. Gaps can be created in farrowing schedules allowing other work to be done.
When farrowings are synchronised it is possible to give the sow and piglets attention that will permit the best results to be obtained. The sow benefits in that she is supervised during the very important farrowing process and the piglets benefit by having someone in attendance at the most delicate time of birth. Farrowing fever can be spotted and treated early.
When the piglets are born detailed attention can be given. For example, the piglets can be dried off before they are encouraged to suckle and drink colostrum. Strong piglets can be helped to go forward and weak piglets can be given that special care. The piglets are able to be placed in the right environment immediately, before becoming chilled and stressed. Mortality rate can be reduced by giving piglets the best start in life.
With synchronised farrowing it is possible to plan weaning dates so that a shortfall in matings can be made up or a glut of matings can be avoided. When using artificial insemination it is possible to plan the ordering of semen and/or coHection to suit the weaning needs.
What is Planate
Sows can farrow anywhere between 111 and 119 days after service - and they never farrow at a predictable time - often this is at night or at the weekend. For the farmer to attend to each farrowing is highly impractical and costly. The farmer needs to make the most effective use of his time and resources.
The prostaglandin, Planate, is used so that farrowing does come at a predictable and more convenient time and can be used to reduce the chance of the sow farrowing over a weekend. If an injection of Planate is given up to 2 days before farrowing is due, 95% of sows should farrow within 36 hours after giving Planate. The majority of animals can be expected to respond within 24 +/- 5 hours following injection so it is easy to ensure that the majority will farrow within the working day.
The Advantages of Using Planate
By using Planate to synchronise farrowing the farmer can ensure that most of the sows farrow on the same day. Synchronising farrowings usually allows more supervision and better attention to detail at a crucial time for the sow, the piglets and the farmer.
Advantages to the Sow
The sow can be supervised during the birth to enable best results,Farrowing fever can be spotted and treated early. Cross-fostering of piglets makes it possible to balance up the litter numbers.
Advantages to the Piglet
When the piglets are born detailed attention can be given. The piglets can be dried off before they are encouraged to suckle and drink colostrum. Strong piclets can be helped to go forward and weak piglets can be given special care. Piglets can be placed in the right environment immediately before becoming chilled or stressed. Mortality rate can be reduced by giving the pigs the best start in life.
Advantages to the Farmer
Ability to prepare labour schedules.Gaps car be created in the farrowing schedule to allow other work to be done, for example,vaccinations, clipping teeth etc. Weekend farrowing can be eliminated.Weaning dates can be planned to catch up shortfall and/or prevent glut of matings. If using artificial insemination it is possible to plan the ordering of semen and/or collection to suit the weaning needs.Farmer can be more prepared for farrowing. Reduction in pig mortality rate.More efficient use of farrowing facilities. Reduction in employment costs. More even batches.
