Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Frequency of removal reasons of sows in Southeastern Mexico

  • Original Research
  • Published:
Tropical Animal Health and Production Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe the reasons for removal in three pig farms under the tropical conditions of Mexico. Data were obtained from the records from 2003 to 2009, including a total of 7,236 commercial culled sows. Farms 1 and 3 were full-cycle farms with 3,500 and 550 sows. Farm 2 was a two-cycle farm with 450 sows. The specific reasons for removal were grouped into six general categories. The descriptive statistics of the reasons for removal were obtained using cross tabulation tables. Chi-square was used to test between farm differences. Reproductive reasons accounted for the largest proportion of all removals (26.9%) of which anestrous and repeated estrous contributed with 34.2% and 20.8%, respectively. Locomotor problems were responsible for 15.5% of all removals, of which lameness was the main concern (56.3%) followed by “sow downer” syndrome (23.9%). Low production accounted for 12.8% of all removals of which 62.2% were due to small litter sizes and 37.8% due to disgalactia. Diseases were responsible for 13.0% of all removals of which respiratory problems was the most important (73.6%). Age as a cause of removal comprised 24.1% and the category "miscellaneous" 7.7% of all removals. Poor body condition and death reasons represented 2.6% and 1.6%, respectively. Differences between removal reasons were found between farms.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Almond, G.W., Flowers, W.L., Batista, L. and D’Allaire, S., 2006. Diseases of the reproductive system. In: Disease of Swine. 9th ed. Straw BE, Zimmerman JJ, D’Allaire S, Taylor DJ (editors). Blackwell Publishing. Ames, Iowa. pp. 113–148

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagorn, J. and Aumaitre, A., 1979. Sow culling: reasons for and effect on productivity. Livestock Production Science, 6, 167–177.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D'Allaire, S., Stein, T.E. and Leman, A.D., 1987. Culling patterns in selected Minnesota swine breeding herds, Canadian Journal Veterinary Research, 51, 506–512.

    Google Scholar 

  • D’Allaire, S. and Drolet, R. 2006. Longevity in Breeding Animals. In: Disease of Swine. 9th ed. Straw BE, Zimmerman JJ, D’Allaire S, Taylor DJ (editors). Blackwell Publishing. Ames, Iowa. pp. 1011–1025

    Google Scholar 

  • Dijkhuizen, A.A., Krabbenborg, R.M.M. and Huirne, R.B.M., 1989. Sow replacement: a comparison of farmer's actual decisions and model recommendations. Livestock Production, 23, 207–218.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Einarsson, S., Linde, C. and Settergren, L., 1974. Studies of the genital organs of gilts culled for anoestrus, Theriogenology, 2, 109–113.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Engblom, L., Lundeheim, N., Dalin, A. and Andersson, K., 2007. Sow removal in Swendish commercial herds, Livestock Science, 106, 76–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Engblom, L., Lundehein, N., Strandberg, E., Schneider, M. del P., Dalin, M. and Andersson, K., 2008. Factors affecting length of productive life in Swedish commercial sows, Journal of Animal Science, 86, 432–411

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Friendship, R.M., Wilson, M.R., Almond, G.M., McMillan, I., Hacker, R.R., Pieper, R. and Swaminathan, S.S., 1986. Sow wastage: Reasons for, and effect on productivity, Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research, 50, 205–208.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Holendová, K., Cechová, M. and Sládek, L., 2007. Production traits and causes of culling established in sows of maternal pig breeds, Research in Pig Breeding, 1, 34–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • INEGI, 2004. Anuario estadístico de Yucatán. Instituto Nacional de Estadística Geografía e Informática. Aguascalientes, México.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joo, H.S. and Kang, B.J., 1981. Reproductive performance on intensive swine farms in Korea, Journal of the Korean Veterinary Medical Association, 17, 40–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Josse, J., Le Denmat, M., Martinatbotte, F., Vanier, P. and Vaudelet, J.C., 1980. A propos d'une enquete sur les causes de reforme des truies. Schweizer Archiv fur Tierheilkunde, 122, 341–349.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kroes, Y. and Van Male, J.P., 1979. Reproductive lifetime of sows in relation to economy of production, Livestock Production Science, 6, 179–183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koketsu, Y., Takahashi, H. and Akachi, K., 1999. Longevity, lifetime pig production and productivity, and age at first conception in a cohort of gilts observed over six years on commercial farms, The Journal of Medical Veterinary Science, 61, 1001–1005.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lucia Jr., T., Dial, G. and Marsh, W.E., 2000. Lifetime reproductive performance in female pigs having distinct reasons for removal, Livestock Production Science, 63, 213–222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mote, B.E., Mabry, J.W., Stalder, K.J. and Rothschild, M.F. 2009. Evaluation of current reasons for removal of sows from commercial farms, The Professional Animal Scientist, 25, 1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paterson, R., Cargill, C. and Pointon, A., 1996. Investigations into deaths and excessive culling of sows in Australian pig herds. Proceedings of Nordiska Jordbruksforskares Förening, Seminar No. 265. Research Centre Foulum, Denmark, pp. 34–45

  • Pattison, H.D., Cook, G.L. and MacKenzie, S., 1980. A study of culling patterns in commercial pig breeding herds, Animal Production, 31, 462–463.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pomeroy, R.W., 1960. Infertility and neonatal mortalitv in the sow 1. Lifetime performance and reasons for disposal of sows, Journal of Agricultural Science (Cambridge), 54, 1–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saballo, A.J., López-Ortega, A., Adelys, A. and Márquez, A.A., 2007. Causas de descarte de cerdas en granjas de la región centro occidental de Venezuela durante el período 1996–2002, Zootecnia Tropical, 25, 179–187.

    Google Scholar 

  • Statistical Analysis System (SAS), 2002. SAS/STAT User´s Guide, Ver. 9.1, (SAS Institute, Cary)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sasaki, Y. and Koketsu, Y., 2008. Mortality, death interval, survivals, and herd factors for death in gilts and sows in commercial breeding herds, Journal of Animal Science, 86, 3159–3165.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schenck, E.L., McMunn. K.A., Rosenstein, D.S., Stroshine, R.L., Nielsen, B.D., Richert, B.T., Marchant-Forde, J.N. and Lay, D.C., 2008. Exercising stall-housed gestating gilts: Effects on lameness, the musculo-skeletal system, production and behavior, Journal of Animal Science, 86, 3166–3180.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stalder, K.J., Knauer, M., Bass, T.J., Rothschild, M.F. and Mabry, J.W., 2004. Sow longevity, Pig News and Information, 25, 53–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stein, T.E., Dijkhuizen, A., D′Allaire, S. and Morris, R.S., 1990. Sow culling and mortality in commercial swine breeding herds, Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 9, 85–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stone, M.W., 1981. Sow culling survey in Alberta, Canadian Veterinary Journal, 22, 363.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Svendsen, J., Nielson, N.C., Bille, N., Riising, H.J., 1975. Causes of culling and death in sows, Nordiska Veterinary Medicine, 27, 604–615.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sukumaranair, S.A., Anil, L. and Deen, J., 2005. Evaluation of patterns of removal and associations among culling because of lameness and sow productivity traits in swine breeding herds, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 226, 956–961.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sulbaran, L., Araque, H., Vecchionacce, H. and González, C., 2007. Daños podales en cerdas gestantes y lactantes alojadas en cuatro tipos de instalaciones, Zootecnia Tropical, 25, 279–283.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tummaruk, P., Sukamphaichit, N., Kitiarpornchai, W., Musikjearanan, S. and Tantasuparuk, W., 2006. Seasonal influence on causes of culling in gilts. In: Proceedings of the 19th Congress of the International Pig Veterinary Society p. 498.

  • Van Snick, G., Vergote de Lantsheere, W. and Lajeune, A., 1965. Les causes de reforme des truies d'elevage, Revue de Agriculture, 18, 289–309.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Km 15.5 Carretera Mérida-Xmatkuil, Apdo. Postal 4-116 Itzimná, CP 97100, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico

    José C. Segura-Correa, Enrique Ek-Mex & Alejandro Alzina-López

  2. Centro de Investigación Regional del Sureste, INIFAP, Km 25 carretera Mérida-Motul, 97454, Mocochá, Yucatán, Mexico

    Victor M. Segura-Correa

Authors
  1. José C. Segura-Correa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Enrique Ek-Mex
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Alejandro Alzina-López
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Victor M. Segura-Correa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to José C. Segura-Correa.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Segura-Correa, J.C., Ek-Mex, E., Alzina-López, A. et al. Frequency of removal reasons of sows in Southeastern Mexico. Trop Anim Health Prod 43, 1583–1588 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-011-9847-8

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-011-9847-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation