Eveline Willems is a veterinarian in the global technical support team of Topigs Norsvin. The team contributes to the dissemination of genes with minimal health disruptions and supports customers in minimizing health-related issues that limit the pigs’ genetic potential. Acclimatization is a key aspect of getting the most out of a sow’s potential. Correct introduction of young gilts into the herd leads to healthy and highly productive sows that produce many litters.
Eveline’s top-5 tips for perfect acclimatization of gilts:
- Produce a tailor-made acclimatization scheme that fits your circumstances and always ask your veterinarian for advice.
- Acclimatization of gilts involves not just the farm’s health status, but other aspects too, like future housing conditions or contact with people.
- If you use an in-house production system to produce replacement gilts, make sure these gilts also pass through the acclimatization scheme.
- If you buy gilts from a breeder, then only buy gilts whose age fits the required acclimatization scheme and make sure they receive proper feed for rearing gilts.
- If gilts underperform compared with the farm’s average reproduction results, then thoroughly re-evaluate the acclimatization process.
