The period between weaning and successful remating is critical for sow welfare and reproductive efficiency. Management practices that minimize this interval serve both welfare and production goals.
Sow welfare during the wean-to-service period reflects the cumulative welfare impact of the preceding lactation. Sows that have lost excessive body condition during lactation due to inadequate nutrition, excessive milk yield, or poor feed access are physiologically stressed and show extended anestrous periods that indicate reproductive axis suppression. The welfare and production implications are aligned: a sow with prolonged WEI from lactation stress has experienced welfare compromise during lactation that is now manifesting in reproductive dysfunction. Managing sow welfare through appropriate body condition targets, adequate feeding during lactation, and manageable litter sizes prevents the cascade of problems that poor lactation welfare creates.