Batch Farrowing as a Health Strategy in Modern Pork Production Systems

Batch farrowing, the strategy of breeding, farrowing, and subsequently weaning of large groups of sows (generally 28 days of production) rather than weekly, or continuous farrowing systems, is a re-emerging technology in modern pork production systems.

Rather than being driven by climatic/environmental conditions as were the batch farrowing programs of the 1960’s, modern batch farrowing programs are being driven by the need for large batches of uniform-aged weaned pigs to efficiently fill large nursery &/or wean-to-finish sites.

A significant ancillary driver of batch farrowing in modern pork production systems is the opportunity to utilize batch farrowing’s pig flow schedule as a strategy to positively impact the overall health of the sow herd and the wean pig flow.

A typical, modern batch farrowing schedule will be presented and briefly discussed. After which, the positive effects of batch farrowing on the health of the primary sow herd, the health of suckling piglet population, and finally, the subsequent effects on the health of the weaned pig flow will be described.