A survey was made of 25 pig farms within a 60 km radius of Moorepark R
esearch Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland to assess the culling rate a
nd the main reasons for sow disposal during the months January to Octo
ber 1996. Farmers kept records for all sows that were culled or that d
ied during that period. The culling rate was 43% (s.d. 2.3) using weig
hted means. Culling rate varied considerably between herds, ranging fr
om 26% to 70%. Culled females had produced an average of 4.58 (s.d. 0.
07) litters. Old age and reproductive failure were the main reasons fo
r culling - at 31% and 30% of all removals, respectively. Lameness and
poor performance each accounted for about 11% of culls. Thirty two pe
r cent of animals culled for lameness had produced only one litter. De
ath accounted for 6.6% of removals and illness was responsible for 5.9
% of culls. The high culling rates in the early parities for reproduct
ive failure, locomotor problems, disease and injury seem to indicate t
hat the adaptation capabilities of sows entering the breeding herd are
heavily challenged.