A tool designed to predict the delivery date of a sow based on the date of breeding assists producers in efficiently managing their operations. For example, by inputting the breeding date, the tool estimates the farrowing date, enabling proactive preparation for the arrival of piglets. This predictive capability streamlines tasks like preparing farrowing pens, scheduling labor, and anticipating feed and other resource needs.
Accurate prediction of farrowing dates is vital for optimized swine production. It allows for better resource allocation, potentially minimizing pre-weaning mortality through improved preparedness. Historically, producers relied on average gestation periods and manual calculations. Modern tools offer increased precision and convenience, contributing to improved animal welfare and farm profitability. This improved accuracy helps to reduce stress on the sow by ensuring the necessary resources are available at the critical farrowing time.
