Vol. 10, Issue 1, Part B (2025)

Author(s): Argana Ajay K, Sakshi Vaishnav, Ajoy Das and Babita Mishra

Abstract: Producers are encouraged to optimize the reproductive capacity of sows throughout their lifespan to mitigate production costs and enhance economic efficiency within commercial breeding herds. Due to their early maturity, shorter generation intervals, high fecundity, superior feed conversion efficiency, and nutritional value, pigs are well-suited for intensive farming with minimal maintenance. While pig farming is often regarded as a highly profitable livestock enterprise, it faces numerous productivity challenges. These include issues such as suboptimal reproductive performance, susceptibility to diseases and parasites, and the high costs associated with animal feeds and veterinary drugs. Given that the primary factors contributing to profitability in pig farming are largely related to reproduction, including high prolificacy and a short generation interval, addressing concerns over poor reproductive performance becomes crucial. Various factors serve as key indicators of the reproductive performance of selected animals within a breeding herd. These indicators can be broadly categorized as sow-level and litter-level factors, aiding in the prediction of an animal's future performance in their herd. Given that reproductive traits have low heritability, retaining animals with subpar performance can burden farmers, diminishing economic viability and overall profitability of the farm. Therefore, the meticulous evaluation and selection of animals within breeding herds are crucial, complemented by effective management practices.

DOI: 10.22271/veterinary.2025.v10.i1b.1997