Effect of Early Weaning on Sow Reproductive Performance A Review

University of Nebraska 1997 Swine Day Report. A review of literature was conducted to evaluate the effects of lactation length on reproductive performance of sows. As lactation length decreases there is an increase in the weaning-to-estrus interval, a decrease in farrowing rate, a decrease in subsequent litter size and an increase in pigs weaned per sow per year. Because of herd-to-herd differences in the influence of lactation length on reproductive performance, it is advised that each farm conduct a preliminary study to evaluate the effect of the considered lactation length before implementing the new weaning age of piglets.