Abstract
Culling data on sows recorded on the database of the State Veterinary Faculty, Netherlands were analysed, using an economic replacement model. The model determines a sow's optimum lifespan, and then calculates an economic index, called the retention-pay-off, which is the extra profit to be expected from keeping her until the optimum age and not replacing her immediately. For 1617 sows culled in 12 farms during 1985-86, the loss due to premature culling averaged Dfl. 124 per sow. The retention-pay-off for sows culled due to old age or low litter size was only Dfl.21, while for sows culled due to reproductive problems, it was Dfl.161. Further analysis of sows culled due to reproductive problems showed that those culled for failure to return to oestrus after weaning were being culled too early, while those culled for failure to conceive were being culled too late. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)
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