A gilt’s first litter is notoriously difficult. From low birth weight to high mortality, poor performance has become so ordinary for these litters that producers often come to expect it. Dr. Brad Lawrence of NOVUS tells the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network that it is well known that a gilt’s first litter comes with numerous challenges.
He says the health and heartiness of a gilt’s first litter traces back to the start of the gilt’s own life.
Lawrence says that the development of the gilt throughout its early life ties directly to the quality of its first litter.
Lawrence says that a gilt’s nutrition program is vital to the potential of future litters of pigs.
