Influence of mating frequency on sow reproductive performance

Gilts and sows were bred one, two, or three times during a single estrous p eriod in a commercial herd for evaluating the effect of mating frequency on reproductive performance. Estrus detection started at approximately 0630 d aily by applying back pressure to females with the presence of a mature boa r. Natural mating was used. Gilts detected in estrus were mated in the morn ing of d 1 (AM), the morning of d 1 and 2 (AM-AM), and the morning and afte rnoon of d 1 and morning of d 2 (AM-PM-AM) for mating frequencies 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Sows were bred in the AM, AM-AM, AM-PM-AM (1), and mornin g of d 1 and morning and afternoon of d 2 [AM-AM-PM (2)] for mating frequen cy 1, 2, 3 (1), and 3 (2), respectively. Breeding events in the morning and afternoon started at approximately 0730 and 1530. Females were randomly as signed to a mating frequency. Boars were randomly assigned to each breeding event. In total, 256 gilts and 766 sows were involved in the study. Gilts with a single mating (76.5%, P = .06) and triple matings (80.4%, P < .05) h ad higher farrowing rates than those with double matings (65.3%). No differ ences (P > .1) in the farrowing rates of sows were observed between mating frequencies 1, 2, 3 (1), and 3 (2). Double-mated gilts had more (P < .03) t otal born (9.7 vs 8.6) and pigs born alive (9.3 vs 8.2) than did single-mat ed gilts. There were no differences (P > .3) in total born and pigs born al ive in sows between mating frequencies. We concluded that triple-mating gil ts and sows did not improve farrowing rate and litter size compared with si ngle and double matings. There were no differences in farrowing rate and li tter size between double- and single-mated sows. Gilts with double matings had a larger litter size than those with a single mating.