Field observations in Jamaica on thermal agalactia in the sow

Abstract

Field studies in Jamaica on the responses of exotic breeds of pigs to a warm natural environment showed that the mature sow is prone to the effects of high ambient temperatures and that a form of subacute heat stress, causing a condition of thermal agalactia, constituted a major problem in pig reproduction. The incidence of thermal agalactia was reduced by the routine wetting of sows approaching parturition.