Providing sugar has a limited effect on the vitality of piglets

Adding sugar and lactose to organic sow feed does not have a significant effect on the reproduction of sows or the variation in birth weight of piglets within a litter. However, the mortality rate of piglets with a birth weight of less than 1.2 kg is lower and the survival rate of light piglets would appear to be increased both during gestation and after birth. These are the findings from a study carried out by Wageningen UR Livestock Research.

The Raalte pig research centre examined whether the within-litter variation in birth weight and mortality rate during the lactation period can be reduced by providing sows with lactose plus sugar (saccharose) during the preceding lactation and weaning-to-oestrous interval or solely the preceding weaning-to-oestrous interval.

Three trial treatments
The study was carried out with 153 organic sows which were divided between three treatments: a control group, sugar plus lactose during the lactation and weaning-to-oestrous interval and sugar plus lactose during the weaning-to-oestrous interval. All sows received the same organic concentrate during the pregnancy following the treatment period. On average, the sows were moved to the farrowing facility one week before farrowing. All sows received standard organic lactofeed without sugar or lactose during the lactation period.

Main conclusions
The most important results and conclusions of the study were:

• Providing lactose plus sugar during the preceding lactation and weaning-to-oestrous interval or solely the weaning-to-oestrous interval did not have a significant effect on the birth weight of the liveborn piglets or the coefficient of variation of birth weight within a litter. However, providing extra sugar plus lactose during solely the weaning-to-oestrous interval did result in a numeric reduction of 2% in the coefficient of variation.
• The total number and liveborn piglets was 0.9 piglet higher for sows given sugar plus lactose during the preceding lactation and the weaning-to-oestrous interval as compared to the control group, although the difference was not significant. Extra sugar plus lactose during solely the weaning-to-oestrous interval did not have a demonstrable effect on the total number and liveborn piglets.
• Providing lactose plus sugar during the preceding lactation and weaning-to-oestrous interval or solely the weaning-to-oestrous interval did not have a significant effect on the mortality percentage during the lactation period. However, the mortality rate of piglets with a birth weight of less than 1.2 kg was lower for the sows that received lactose plus sugar during the preceding lactation and weaning-to-oestrous interval.
• Providing sugar plus lactose during lactation and the weaning-to-oestrous interval appeared to increase the survival rate of light piglets during gestation and after birth.

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