“MS-SowPerf+”: A novel tool for reproductive performance assessment in sow replacement

The present study aims to transform the previously published MilkScore prediction model for performance assessment of lactating sows into a practical management tool for application on pig farms. Routinely collected reproductive data, litter birth weights and sow parity number provide the basis for the performance assessment, which is used to derive the replacement recommendation for lactating sows. The developed tool, named MS-SowPerf+ (MilkScore-​SowPerformance+), comprises three main components: data processing, performance calculation and categorization, and replacement recommendation. Primarily basic performance data are required as input parameters. The formula for calculating the reproductive performance is embedded within...