80 years periodic farrowing systems in piglet production in Germany - a review 1. Production systems for group farrowing from 1990 to present time

摘要

Due to political and economic changes in East Germany in 1989 the animal population decreased drastically. The number of breeding sows decreased from 870.000 in 1989 to 459.00 in 2010. The time factor and animal welfare became key issues for the pig production. Following this individual farm systems were developed and the weaning, insemination and farrowing dates for the group farrowing system have been controlled. The insemination rate increased to 95%. The increased usage of production and zoo technical stimulation measures leaded to decrease of reproduction biologicals. Especially the heat synchronization of the gilts and partial induction of parturition was emphasized. Selective breeding measures next to improvement in the herd health management led to partial changes in the oestrus cycle of the sows. Shorter weaning to insemination intervals, a 3 week lactation period combined with an unexpected elongation of the gestation in high performance sows provoked a change of the production concept according to the "all in all out" principle.