The Backfat thickness (BF) of pigs is a commonly measured parameter in many sow farms, and we usually use specialized backfat measuring instruments for detection. Monitoring the changes in backfat thickness throughout the production cycle can be explained as an indicator of physical reserve mobilization or recovery. Backfat thickness is usually measured at least during weaning/mating, after pregnancy examination, and upon entering the delivery room.

As is well known, sows that complete lactation with very low or very high backfat thickness may have reproductive problems, with the latter typically being sows weaned from lower weight litters.

The measurement of backfat thickness after a positive pregnancy test is a particularly important factor in determining how to group sows in pig farms that cannot be fed separately for the rest of pregnancy.

Backfat thickness detection of sows using a backfat analyzer

If there is excessive BF in the late stage of pregnancy, it will affect delivery, reduce feed intake during lactation, and promote piglet growth. In addition, it is particularly important in primiparous sows because backfat thickness is related to sow lifespan; Reserve sows with a certain range of blast furnaces have a higher number of production cycles. Some breeders believe that the ideal range of backfat thickness for reserve sows is between 16 and 20mm, although this range may vary and is significantly influenced by sow genetics. On the other hand, the thickness of backfat during childbirth seems to be related to breast development and milk production potential, especially in primiparous women.

The results indicate that higher BF in late pregnancy of primiparous sows often leads to an increase in litter weight, as higher milk production may be related to better development and preparation of the mammary glands. However, considering that the improvement in piglet weight gain is moderate (8.5%), at the same live weight, fattening sows will lose more BF, and the best correlation between BF and parameters measured in the breast occurs in non parenchymal tissues, the authors recommend feeding primiparous women within the range of backfat thickness>15 to<26 at the end of pregnancy.

In practice, achieving maximum productivity requires optimizing the current sow's ability to estrus after weaning. The higher the milk production, the larger the nest growth, the better the inhibition of ovarian activity during lactation, and the better the ovulation and estrus after weaning. The better ovulation and estrus, the easier it is to achieve good mating and obtain more piglets in the following litter. Accepting this argument, the key to achieving good production levels is to maximize milk production. Among common livestock breeds, goats have ideal breasts with little fat, resulting in very high milk production and a very thin physical condition. Considering this and the EVOlution of sows in recent decades, it can be inferred that slimmer sows have higher productivity. However, for very thin sows, the margin of error in mobilizing body reserves during lactation is very small, and the risk of excessive tissue loss can endanger the sow's estrus after weaning and even damage its reproductive lifespan. Undoubtedly, in today's sows, BF (used as an indicator of their energy balance) has lost its importance as a reserve indicator of the sow's body, replaced by lean tissue, which best represents the sow's LW. However, for the entire pig pOPUlation, especially for primiparous sows, BF remains an important and very useful parameter for assessing physical reserve status; Among other reasons, it is also easier to measure than LW under today's commercial conditions.

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