When evaluating sow health and productivity, under-conditioned sows can mean reduced farrowing rates and lower longevity. But over-conditioned sows can also mean increasing farrowing issues and higher feed costs. Conditioning an entire barn of sows to the ideal body condition is a tall order. Additionally, different sows look different in different barns.

It’s important to remember that evaluating body condition in one barn could look vastly different in another barn. Therefore, employees and barn managers need to pay close attention to understanding sow body conditioning and implement a program that keeps sows in good condition throughout their lifetime.

Read more on appropriate sow conditioning here.