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Submitted to: National Hog Farmer
Publication Type: Trade Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 4/30/2015 Publication Date: 4/30/2015 Citation: Vallet, J.L. 2015. Growth and nutrition effects on gilt development. National Hog Farmer. Available: http://nationalhogfarmer.com/nutrition/growth-and-nutrition-effects-gilt-development. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: The growth and development of gilts are a component of their lifetime potential for productivity. Growth and development affects not only their ability to reach puberty, they also likely affect their reproductive performance through later parities and their physical soundness as they age. Because of this, numerous studies have been undertaken to determine factors that matter in gilt development using a variety of endpoints. Many studies have looked at the effects of nutrition and growth on puberty, fewer are available that focus on productivity and structural soundness to later parities. These studies provide useful information regarding the appropriate management of gilts but leave many unanswered questions. In this article, we summarize what we know, what we think, and what remains to be learned. |
