19 Technology to Efficiently and Effectively Evaluate Body Condition. (12th April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Knauer, Mark
• Is Part Of: Journal of animal science. Volume 100(2022)Supplement 2
• Page Start: 8
• Page End: 9
• Publication Date: 2022-04-12
• Subjects: Livestock -- Periodicals; Livestock; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 636.005
• DOI: 10.1093/jas/skac064.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8812

Abstract

Abstract: Multiple tools are currently available to effectively evaluate gilt and sow body condition. Both A-mode and B-mode ultrasound technology can provide accurate measures of backfat while B-mode ultrasound can deliver precise measures of loin eye area or loin depth. More recently, Knauer invented and developed the sow body condition caliper. The sow caliper technology has been implemented in 39 countries across the world. Quantifying the angularity from the spinous process to the transverse process of a sow's back, the sow body condition caliper has moderate correlations with weight, backfat and muscling. Recommendations for the "ideal" sow caliper score in relation to reproductive performance come from multiple, large scale studies conducted on commercial farms across an array of modern genetic lines. Results suggest a sow caliper angle of 127.5 to 132.5° maximizes subsequent reproduction. Going forward, tools should be developed to automate the estimation of sow body condition. While the sow caliper provides a low-cost phenotype, automating A-mode and B-mode ultrasound also warrant investigation. Perhaps scientists should collaborate with industry experts to speed the development of automated sow body condition tools.