In the intricate world of pig production, the health and welfare of sows play a pivotal role in the overall success of our operations.¹ One crucial factor that significantly influences pre-weaning survivability is the body condition score (BCS) of the sow.^2,3 The BCS serves as a key indicator of the sow's physical state, affecting various aspects such as sow mortality, herd longevity, prolapse risk, the ability to handle energy demands of milk production, and the timing of return to estrus.⁴ Let's dive into some of those aspects.

Sow Mortality and Herd Longevity

Maintaining an optimal body condition score in sows is linked to reduced sow mortality rates and improved herd longevity. Sows that are too thin or overweight face higher risks of health complications, which can lead to increased mortality rates.⁵ Thin sows may lack the necessary energy reserves to support themselves during the demanding gestation and lactation periods, while overweight sows might experience difficulties during farrowing. Striking the right balance in body condition ensures that sows can effectively withstand the physical stressors associated with reproduction, resulting in healthier individuals and a more sustainable herd over time.⁶

Overweight sows also affect wean pig throughput in swine production. Recent research highlights the crucial link between sow body condition at farrowing and reproductive performance. Maintaining optimal body condition is vital, as excess weight leads to fewer piglets born alive, reduced litter birth weight, and jeopardizes piglet survival and litter weaning weight.⁷

Prolapse Risk

Prolapse, the protrusion of internal organs through the vaginal opening, is a condition that can afflict sows during and after farrowing. Body condition score directly impacts the likelihood of prolapse occurrence.⁶ Previous studies highlight a direct link between sow body condition and prolapse risk. Sows with lower body condition scores and abnormal perineal scores experienced elevated prolapse incidence.^8,9

Maintaining an appropriate body condition score helps minimize the risk of prolapse, ensuring sow welfare and avoiding potential complications that may affect her reproductive performance.⁴

Energy Demands of Milk Production

The journey from farrowing to weaning places substantial energy demands on the sow's body. Adequate milk production is critical for the growth and survival of piglets. A sow's body condition score plays a significant role in her ability to meet these energy requirements.¹⁰

Sows with a higher BCS tend to have better energy reserves, which can be drawn upon to support milk production.¹¹ In contrast, under-conditioned sows might struggle to provide sufficient milk for their piglets, potentially leading to poor growth rates and increased mortality. Conversely, maintaining optimal sow weight is crucial for milk production. Research suggests that overweight sows may hinder milk production efficiency. Factors such as feed intake, nutrient density, and dietary specifications significantly influence litter weaning weight, underscoring the importance of achieving a precise balance in swine nutrition management strategies.¹²

Proper body condition management ensures that sows can consistently provide the energy-rich milk needed for healthy piglet development.¹³

Return to Estrus

The timing of a sow's return to estrus after farrowing is a crucial factor to keep  an efficient breeding schedule. Body condition score influences this period, known as the weaning-to-estrus interval (WEI).¹⁴ Sows with an inadequate BCS often experience longer WEIs due to delayed onset of estrus.¹⁵ This delay can disrupt the breeding schedule and extend the time between litters, reducing overall productivity. On the other hand, sows with an optimal BCS tend to have shorter WEIs, allowing for more frequent breeding cycles and increased litter sizes over time.⁵ Proper BCS management can contribute to maximizing the reproductive potential of the sow.

In the intricate dance of pig production, the body condition score emerges as a crucial element influencing the health and performance of both sows and their piglets. At the end of the day, maintaining sows in proper BCS is beneficial to the whole swine industry.

From impacting sow mortality rates and herd longevity to influencing the risk of prolapse, energy reserves for milk production, and the timing of return to estrus, BCS is a multifaceted indicator of a sow's well-being and reproductive capabilities. By closely monitoring and managing the BCS of sows throughout their reproductive cycle, farmers can ensure healthier individuals, optimize piglet survival rates, and lay the foundation for a thriving and sustainable swine operation.