FR 07. Reproductive performance of three swine breeding systems in Uruguay

Abstract

Data from three uruguayan farms were used to evaluate three production systems: SISC - with birth stage in confinement; SICT - all stages in confinement; and SIAC - an outdoor system, prior to the birth stage. It was carried out from November 1991 to October 1993. The following variables were evaluated: system, year, farrowing number, sow and litter breed, and farrowing (or matting) date on the performance of the sow and litter measured by: total piglets born (LNT), alive born (LNV), piglets weaned (LD), mortality during suckling period (%M) and gestation length (G). The main effect was the system. The SICT was the best system and differences were detected between this system and the SIAC (P<.01) in all the characteristics and with the SISC in LD, %M and G (P < .01) and LNV (P<.05). The general means were: LNV=9.98, LNT=11.24, %M=14.59, LD=8.30 and G=114.11. Was estimated the investment needed for the suckling period, and how it affects the pig production cost per piglet weaned: SIAC=U$S0.23, SICT=U$S0.34, and SISC=U$S0.53. It was concluded that the SIAC is a possible alternative for the uruguayan farmers.