Abstract Ad libitum feeding throughout lactation is traditionally practiced to maximize milk yield and litter growth while minimizing maternal tissue catabolism. However, this practice may contribute to feed wastage and reduce lactational feed efficiency. In this study, 315 multiparous sows (parity 4.12 ± 1.05) were assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: Control (ad libitum feed intake throughout lactation) or Restricted (ad libitum feeding from d 0 to d 10, followed by daily maximum allowance based on parity and litter size until weaning on d 19). Treatments were blocked by parity, d 10 sow backfat (BF), and d 10 nursed litter size. Gilts were excluded from the study. For Restricted sows, maximum feed allowance during late lactation increased by 0.5 kg per additional piglet nursed (baseline: 6.5 kg/d for 9 piglets nursed), with daily adjustments as needed for piglet mortality. Diets (0.84% SID Lysine; 3,343 kcal/kg) were formulated to meet or exceed 120% of predicted total lysine (g/d) requirements according to Nutrient Requirements of Swine (National Research Council, 2012). The Gestal Quattro Opti feeding system (JYGA Technologies, Inc., Saint-Lambert-de-Lauzon, QC, Canada) enabled individualized feed delivery and recorded average daily feed intake (ADFI). Litter weight, sow BF and caliper score were measured on d 10 and d 19. Wean-to-estrus interval (WEI) and subsequent total born (TB) were recorded post-weaning. Restricted sows received less feed (P 0.01; 7.75 vs. 8.41 kg/d) during late lactation compared with Control sows. No differences (P 0.05) were observed between Restricted and Control sows for BF change (-0.70 vs. -0.79 mm) and caliper score change (-0.78 vs. -0.68 units). Piglet growth did not differ (P 0.05) between Restricted and Control litters (2.59 vs. 2.51kg). For 200 sows, subsequent reproductive performance was available; no differences (P 0.05) were observed between Restricted and Control sows for WEI (6.6 vs. 5.5 d) or TB (18.4 vs. 18.6). Restricted sows demonstrated a total feed savings of 5.5 kg per sow during late lactation without compromising litter or reproductive performance. These findings suggest that controlling feed allowance using individualized feeding systems can improve lactational feed efficiency in modern sow herds without detrimental effects on productivity.
Obermier et al. (Wed,) studied this question.