Researchers in the United States believe an “alarming” increase in sow
mortality could be linked to a rise in sow prolapse.
This week (1 October
2018), a report was released by The Guardian, in collaboration with Civil Eats, which highlighted the concerning number of
sow deaths currently observed in the U.S.
According to
statistics provided by National Hog Farmer, sow mortality increased from 5.8 percent to
10.2 percent on sow farms with more than 125 pigs, between 2013 and 2016, and
mortalities are continuing to rise.
This rise in sow
deaths has been significantly linked to an increase in prolapse, a phenomenon
caused by the collapse of the animal’s rectum, vagina, or uterus.
A report by Successful Farming indicated that, on some farms, between
25 and 50 percent of deaths were caused by prolapse.
Research is underway to determine the reasons for the sudden
increase in sow prolapse and subsequent deaths but, to date, this has been
inconclusive.
Due to the prevalence
of the condition in predominantly intensive farming, it has been speculated
that intensive breeding methods and sow confinement could be causative factors.
According to U.S.D.A, statistics, a commercial sow will now mother an average
of 23.5 piglets per year, a number that far exceeds their natural reproductive
capacity and certainly exceeds that of smaller-scale units.
A number of other
potential causes have also been discussed which include, vitamin deficiency;
mycotoxins in feed; high density diets; and abdominal abnormalities.
Vets and industry
members are said to be tackling the issue head-on but, with a number of
potential causes for the mortalities being observed, determining a universal
solution, and quickly, is proving difficult.
