38 www.pigchamp.com Spring 2025 A potentially faster method involves managing sow nutrient intake. During periods of heat stress, implementing cooling strategies like evaporative cool cell pads and drip cooling can help maintain sow lactation feed intake. Additionally, the formulation of the lactation diet plays a crucial role. Sows require a threshold level of amino acids to optimize litter weight gain. Therefore, increasing the amino acid concentration of the lactation diet may ensure a greater proportion of sows reach their maximum milk production potential. However, it’s important to note that increasing amino acid levels generally increases feed costs. Depending on the production system being used, there may be a balance between lactation diet fortification and maximizing milk yield. Number of Functional Teats The significance of functional teat number for piglet survival has been recognized for decades. However, recent research highlights that its importance becomes even more pronounced as the ratio of piglets to teats increases with larger litter sizes. Thus, the number of functional teats has perhaps re-emerged as a critical factor in modern swine production. Each additional functional teat has been shown to increase the number of piglets weaned per litter by approximately 0.25. For instance, increasing the average functional teat count of a herd from 15 to 17 could potentially increase piglets weaned per litter by 0.5 piglets. How do more functional teats enhance piglet survival? As previously mentioned, data suggests they increase overall piglet colostrum intake. Furthermore, research indicates that additional functional teats reduce the variation in colostrum intake among piglets within a litter. This reduction in variation is very important because it ensures a higher percentage of piglets receive the minimum threshold of colostrum needed for survival. What defines a nonfunctional teat? A nonfunctional teat can be a substandard teat (Figure 3) or a teat that has been damaged over time. Both result in insufficient milk production to support a growing piglet. Importantly, substandard teats can often be identified early in a replacement gilt’s life (Figure 4). In conclusion, while skilled labor and adequate facilities provide the necessary framework for successful reproductive outcomes, a thorough understanding and proactive improvement of piglet nutrient access are essential for maximizing reproductive throughput and farm productivity. Dr. Mark Knauer Dr. Mark Knauer is a Professor in the Animal Science Department at North Carolina State University where his research and extension program focuses on swine genetics and production management. Examples of substandard teats identified shortly after weaning. One may note substandard teats are smaller than the surrounding teats. Substandard teats are teats that may produce no milk or not enough milk to support a growing piglet. Figure 4
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