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Abstract

A study was conducted to identify reasons for sow wastage and parities most susceptible to particular reasons. The study was based on raw data collected from sow record books. A total of 1961 sows were culled during the period under study. Low productivity was the major reason for culling, accounting for 36.82% of all culls. This was followed by leg problems (26.31%), reproductive (16.37%), miscellaneous (11.01%), death (6.94%), and lactation problems (2.55%). The two variables, parity and reason, were negatively and significantly (p<0.05) correlated (r= -0.47). Reason-specific removal rate was not the same for all parities. Culling was severe for parities above 7 and below 3, but moderate for parities 3 to 7. The predominant reason for culling for parities above 7 was low productivity. For parities below 3, the reasons leg and reproductive problems were predominant. Mortality of 6.94% was on the high side and required urgent attention.