SYNERGY OF SEASONAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS IN ENSURING THE REPRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY OF SOWS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37000/abbsl.2026.119.21Keywords:
pigs, lactation duration, season of the year, reproductive cycle, litter weight, piglet survival, average daily gain, industrial pig production, heat stress.Abstract
The article presents the results of studies aimed at determining the interaction between seasonal and technological factors in the formation of reproductive efficiency of sows under industrial pork production conditions. The purpose of the study was to assess the influence of lactation duration, season of the year, and reproductive cycle of sows on the main reproductive traits of offspring. The research was conducted during 2024–2026 at the Agricultural Production Cooperative “Agrofirma “Myg-Servis-Agro” in Mykolaiv region on crossbred Large White and Landrace sows. To evaluate the strength of the influence of the studied factors, a three-factor analysis of variance was performed using STATISTICA v. 7.0 software.
It was established that the reproductive traits of sows were formed under the complex influence of seasonal, physiological, and technological factors; however, the degree of sensitivity of individual indicators to these factors varied. It was proven that lactation duration was the dominant factor affecting the weight characteristics of piglets. Extending the suckling period to 28 days ensured an increase in the average body weight of one piglet and litter weight at weaning regardless of the season of the year. At the same time, a season-dependent nature of weaning technology efficiency was identified. The most pronounced positive effect of prolonged lactation was observed during the spring and summer periods.
It was found that piglet survival depended to a greater extent on the reproductive cycle of sows and the interaction between seasonal and technological factors than on lactation duration itself. The most significant decrease in this indicator was observed during the summer period under a 28-day lactation regime, indicating an increased heat load on the organism of lactating sows. It was established that average daily live weight gains of piglets were mainly determined by seasonal conditions and the physiological state of sows. The obtained results confirm the necessity of individualizing weaning technology considering the season of the year, heat load, and reproductive cycle of sows in order to improve the efficiency of industrial pig production.
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