Released Oct. 4, 2007
MANHATTAN, Kan. -- Swine producers know that an estimate of body weight is an important first step to efficient sow feeding. Her body weight determines about 80 percent of a gestating sow´s feed needs, according to a Kansas State University animal scientist.
But, precisely estimating each individual sow´s weight is difficult. So, the university´s swine specialists have developed a method to make the process easier for producers, said Mike Tokach, state leader of K-State Research and Extension´s animal science programs.
"We have established that a `flank-to-flank´ measurement can be the basis for estimating sows´ weight," Tokach said. "Given that weight, we then can more accurately determine a daily allotment of feed to provide."
Now the K-State scientists have also developed a cloth tape, divided into color-coded sections. Each section on the tape corresponds to a weight group.
The site for the flank measurement is immediately in front of the sow´s back legs. It runs from the point of one flank and over the back of the sow to the point of the other flank.
"Once you know the weight group a sow is in, you can determine the correct feeding level for that sow by using the information available on our Department of Animal Sciences and Industry Web site (http://www.asi.k-state.edu/swine)," he said.
The K-State Sow Weight Tape is available for $5 per tape by calling (785) 532-1267 or e-mailing lschrein@ksu.edu.
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http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/news/
Contact: Mary Lou Peter-Blecha, mlpeter@ksu.edu
