Factors Associated with a Single-Mating Occurrence in First-Serviced and Reserviced Female Pigs on Commercial Farms

Abstract

This study investigated associations of a single-mating occurrence (SMO) with farrowing rate and pigs born alive (PBA) in first-serviced and reserviced female pigs (females), and identified the factors associated with SMO. The data included 111,334 service and 91,233 farrowing records on 117 farms. A mating was defined as any one insemination (mating) of a female during estrus. Mixed-effects models were used to investigate reproductive performance and factors associated with SMO. In the first-service group, single-mated females had a lower farrowing rate and fewer PBA than multiple-mated females (P<0.05). In the reservice group, single-mated females also had a lower farrowing rate than multiple-mated females (P<0.05), but had PBA similar to multiple-mated females. SMO in first-service and reservice groups were 4.1 and 6.0%, respectively. Gilts were 1.030 times more likely to be mated a single time than sows (P<0.05). Gilts with age at first mating 150-224 and ≥ 262 days were 1.010-1.016 times more likely to be mated a single time than those with age at first mating 225-260 days (P<0.05). Sows with weaning-to-first-mating interval ≥ 7 days were 1.024-1.030 times more likely to be mated a single time than those with weaning-to-first-mating interval ≤ 6 days (P<0.05). Factors associated with a higher SMO were a reservice occurrence, being gilts, low or high ages of gilts at first mating, and prolonged weaning-to-first-mating interval.