Each day, you navigate the challenges of pig farming – doing more work with seemingly less labor, all while trying to improve pig performance. Being profitable requires you to be efficient, and it starts with taking control of lactating sow feed intake.

Here are four reasons to take control of sow feed intake with automated feeding:

1. Optimize sow body condition
Lactation is the most demanding production phase for a sow. They need up to three times more feed during lactation than gestation.
Another benefit of optimal sow body condition is better breed back rates. Studies have shown that feeding sows several small rations throughout the day, as is possible with automated feeding and on-demand feeding, helps keep sows at optimal body condition to breed back sooner for fewer non-productive days.
2. Improve litter size
When sow nutritional needs are met, you can also improve subsequent litter sizes.
Automated feeding delivers feed at regular intervals, stimulating sow appetite and increasing feed intake – ensuring sows nutritional needs are met. When nutritional needs are met, body condition is optimized and litter size is maximized.
3. Increase weaning weights
Increased weaning weight has a positive influence on pig growth and feed efficiency from weaning to market. Additionally, heavier piglets are more easily bred when they reach maturity and stay bred compared to piglets with lower weaning weights.
4. Reduce feed and labor costs
Feed costs alone may account for up to 65-70% of your operational costs. On top of that, it can be time-consuming to deliver feed to sows several times a day and monitor intake. But you can keep these costs in check with automated feeding.
Automated alerts are sent when a sow hasn’t “asked” for feed by triggering the activator for a defined period, signaling a reduction in feed intake. Barn managers don’t have to monitor feeders for uneaten feed – allowing them to focus their time where it’s needed most.