The figures are alarming: industry statistics show that more than 75% of sows in large-scale pig farms have varying degrees of insufficient milk. This directly leads to low piglet survival rates, slow growth, and below-target weaning weights. It also depletes sows’ reproductive capacity prematurely, resulting in high reproductive output but low efficiency.
Why does a sow that appears to be “eating enough” still not produce enough milk? This practical guide has the answer.
I. Three major consequences of insufficient milk
1. High incidence of yellow and white scours in piglets: Immunoglobulins in colostrum are the only source of passive immunity for piglets. Insufficient milk directly weakens piglet immunity, increasing the incidence of yellow and white scours by more than 30%.
2. Below-target weaning weight: Milk is the primary source of nutrition for piglets aged 0–21 days. Piglets that do not get enough milk generally have a weaning weight at 21 days of age that is 1–2kg too low, directly affecting their subsequent fattening performance.
3. Depletion of sow reproductive capacity: Sows that lose substantial body condition during lactation often have delayed estrus and lower conception rates after mating, creating a vicious cycle in which the next litter performs even worse.
II. Four Main Causes of Insufficient Milk Production
·Insufficient nutrition: Inadequate late-gestation feed adjustment and an energy-protein imbalance in lactation feed are the most common "major shortcomings," especially since many farms have been cutting the cost of lactation feed as hog prices have fallen.
·Excessive stress: High temperatures, noise, regrouping, and mass vaccination can all inhibit prolactin secretion.
·Poor mammary gland development: This is especially common in first-parity sows and is closely related to management during the gilt development period.
·Subclinical disease: Mastitis, metritis, and milk fever syndrome (MMA) can directly cause agalactia.
III. Five Ways to Get Sows' Milk Flowing
① Make the most of the critical period for mammary gland development: The key window for mammary gland development is 75–95 days into gestation. During this period, ensure adequate vitamins A and E and organic trace minerals, while strictly controlling energy intake to prevent sows from becoming overweight.
② Flushing does not mean sharply increasing feed: Begin flushing 25 days before farrowing. If possible, use a specialized lactation feed, gradually increasing the amount in steps of 2.5–3.5 kg/day, and ensure daily water intake of ≥30 L.
③ Ensure thorough postpartum care: Let piglets suckle colostrum fully within 24 hours after birth; closely monitor the sow’s feed intake, feces, body temperature, and uterine inflammation for 3 days after birth; promptly address difficult farrowing, constipation, and hard lumps in the mammary glands.
④ Don’t overlook environmental control: Keep the farrowing room temperature at 22–24℃ and humidity at 60–70%; avoid noise and rough handling; ensure lactating sows drink 40–50L of water per day.
⑤ Supplement with the lactation nutrition product “乳丰源”: From 5 days before farrowing to 2 weeks after farrowing, give each sow 1 bags per day for 20 consecutive days; it can promote natural mammary gland enlargement and lactation hormone secretion, increase maternal antibody levels in the milk, raise milk lactose and fat levels, and comprehensively improve both the quality and quantity of the sow’s milk.
IV. Three key details that determine success or failure
1. Give special attention to gilts—whether a gilt produces good milk almost determines her reproductive performance throughout her life.
2. Avoid “over-lactation”—keep litter size within the number of functional teats the sow has.
3. Keep data records—record the number of piglets weaned per litter, weaning weight, and milk condition so that they can all be traced.
Milk problems are never just “the sow’s problem”; they reflect the management standards of the entire pig farm. Start with the gilt-rearing period, manage sows during gestation, and provide care during lactation so that every sow can “produce abundant milk and raise strong piglets”—this is the key to increasing PSY on large-scale pig farms.
Why does a sow that appears to be “eating enough” still not produce enough milk? This practical guide has the answer.
I. Three major consequences of insufficient milk
1. High incidence of yellow and white scours in piglets: Immunoglobulins in colostrum are the only source of passive immunity for piglets. Insufficient milk directly weakens piglet immunity, increasing the incidence of yellow and white scours by more than 30%.
2. Below-target weaning weight: Milk is the primary source of nutrition for piglets aged 0–21 days. Piglets that do not get enough milk generally have a weaning weight at 21 days of age that is 1–2kg too low, directly affecting their subsequent fattening performance.
3. Depletion of sow reproductive capacity: Sows that lose substantial body condition during lactation often have delayed estrus and lower conception rates after mating, creating a vicious cycle in which the next litter performs even worse.
II. Four Main Causes of Insufficient Milk Production
·Insufficient nutrition: Inadequate late-gestation feed adjustment and an energy-protein imbalance in lactation feed are the most common "major shortcomings," especially since many farms have been cutting the cost of lactation feed as hog prices have fallen.
·Excessive stress: High temperatures, noise, regrouping, and mass vaccination can all inhibit prolactin secretion.
·Poor mammary gland development: This is especially common in first-parity sows and is closely related to management during the gilt development period.
·Subclinical disease: Mastitis, metritis, and milk fever syndrome (MMA) can directly cause agalactia.
III. Five Ways to Get Sows' Milk Flowing
① Make the most of the critical period for mammary gland development: The key window for mammary gland development is 75–95 days into gestation. During this period, ensure adequate vitamins A and E and organic trace minerals, while strictly controlling energy intake to prevent sows from becoming overweight.
② Flushing does not mean sharply increasing feed: Begin flushing 25 days before farrowing. If possible, use a specialized lactation feed, gradually increasing the amount in steps of 2.5–3.5 kg/day, and ensure daily water intake of ≥30 L.
③ Ensure thorough postpartum care: Let piglets suckle colostrum fully within 24 hours after birth; closely monitor the sow’s feed intake, feces, body temperature, and uterine inflammation for 3 days after birth; promptly address difficult farrowing, constipation, and hard lumps in the mammary glands.
④ Don’t overlook environmental control: Keep the farrowing room temperature at 22–24℃ and humidity at 60–70%; avoid noise and rough handling; ensure lactating sows drink 40–50L of water per day.
⑤ Supplement with the lactation nutrition product “乳丰源”: From 5 days before farrowing to 2 weeks after farrowing, give each sow 1 bags per day for 20 consecutive days; it can promote natural mammary gland enlargement and lactation hormone secretion, increase maternal antibody levels in the milk, raise milk lactose and fat levels, and comprehensively improve both the quality and quantity of the sow’s milk.
IV. Three key details that determine success or failure
1. Give special attention to gilts—whether a gilt produces good milk almost determines her reproductive performance throughout her life.
2. Avoid “over-lactation”—keep litter size within the number of functional teats the sow has.
3. Keep data records—record the number of piglets weaned per litter, weaning weight, and milk condition so that they can all be traced.
Milk problems are never just “the sow’s problem”; they reflect the management standards of the entire pig farm. Start with the gilt-rearing period, manage sows during gestation, and provide care during lactation so that every sow can “produce abundant milk and raise strong piglets”—this is the key to increasing PSY on large-scale pig farms.