Differences in farrowing rate according to parity and trait specific temperature groupings around mating events

Application Temperature groupings quantify the effects of different temperature patterns around mating on farrowing rate. Providing better cooling systems in the farrowing house could possibly reduce the reduction in farrowing rate seen in this study, especially for matings of parity 1 sows.
Introduction A methodology has been developed using cluster analysis to define trait-specific temperature groupings (Bunz et al.,2019). These temperature groupings accounted for the different maximum temperature (Tmax) histories sows were exposed to around first mating, independently of calendar months. It is hypothesized, that temperature groupings have an impact on farrowing rate and that there are significant differences in farrowing rate between mating parities in temperature grouping.