Sows at the limit: nutrition and longevity in the face of increasing mortality

Sow mortality is no longer a secondary indicator and has become one of the main challenges in modern pig production. It not only represents the loss of an animal with genetic and productive value, but also alters the herd structure, increases replacement needs and non-productive days.
Attributing the increase in mortality exclusively to genetics, health, or feeding would lead to an incomplete diagnosis. The modern sow combines greater prolificacy, high milk production, and reproductive intensity, which increases metabolic demand, especially during the peripartum period and lactation.
A diet cannot “solve” this problem on its own. Nutrition should be used to increase resilience and reduce predisposing factors, within a program that includes diagnosis, health, environment, management, and individual monitoring.
The first priority is to avoid extremes. The feeding curve should be adapted to parity, genetics, weight, and body reserves, rather than being applied uniformly to the entire group. The nutritional program should therefore include verification of actual intake and feeding behavior.
High mortality is not solely a nutritional problem, but neither can it be addressed without nutrition. The objective should no longer be to feed the sow to reach the next farrowing, but to sustain her metabolic, locomotor, and reproductive function over several cycles.