Improve calcium status of sows around farrowing to reduce piglet mortality and improve litter performance

Research environment

This Ph.D. project will be funded by Laval University via a grant in collaboration with Abvista. During this Ph.D. program, the candidate will be part of the dynamic research team of Laval University Animal Science department and INRAE.

Project description

Global swine industry, especially in America, is facing the major rising concern of increasing sow and piglet mortality that poses a serious production and welfare issue, but also substantial economic losses. The productivity of swine farms depends on the ability of sows to wean large litters of high-quality piglets. Currently, the rate of stillbirths is between 10-15% and early suckling piglet mortality ~10%, i.e. a loss of approximately 2 to 3 piglets per farrowing (PigChamp Benchmarking Summaries, 2023), impacting farm profitability and consumer perception. The transition period, ±10 d before and after farrowing is characterized by important physiological and metabolic changes. This period will influence fetal development, farrowing process, and colostrum and milk production. However, the only strategy used to respond to requirements of sow at the end of gestation is bump feeding or a diet with large excesses for all the gestation. As farrowing approaches, Ca status should be adequate to ensure uterine contractions and colostrum as circulating Ca is critical to ensure that contractile activity is propelled along the uterine horns. It is thus important to document the Ca status around farrowing and to implement strategies to maximise it which will be the topic of this PhD.

www.ulaval.ca département des sciences animales

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in animal science or related topics
• Skills or interest in sows production
• The candidate must be able to follow courses in French after 1 year

Other information

• The selected candidate must be admitted in the Ph.D. program
• This position will be available for 3 years starting in summer 2025
• A scholarship will be available.