Factors Influencing Reproductive Performance in Austrian Sow Farms Challenged by Reproductive Disorders

Many piglet-producing farms are facing poor reproductive performance, yet their characteristics remain poorly understood. This study aimed to identify factors contributing to reproductive disorders based on information easily identifiable through an oral survey. Therefore, forty Austrian piglet producing farms (35-2000 sows) were surveyed using a questionnaire mainly addressing management, treatment and prophylaxis. Five key performance indicators (KPIs) were defined to assess farm productivity: farrowing rate, return-to-estrus rate, abortion rate, total piglets born per litter, and piglets weaned per litter. Farrowing rates were significantly higher in larger farms (r = 0.368; <i>p</i> = 0.019), PRRS-negative farms (r = 0.415; <i>p</i> = 0.008), and farms that did not clean the vulva before artificial insemination (r = 0.357; <i>p</i> = 0.024). Return-to-estrus rates were significantly higher in smaller farms (r = -0.431; <i>p</i> = 0.006), farms with more vaginal discharge after farrowing (r = 0.397; <i>p</i> = 0.011), those not using hormonal farrowing induction (r = 0.339; <i>p</i> = 0.033), and farms with older teaser boars (r = 0.385; <i>p</i> = 0.039). Larger farms had more piglets born per litter (r = 0.342; <i>p</i> = 0.031) and weaned more piglets (r = 0.391; <i>p</i> = 0.013). Weaned piglet numbers were also higher in farms with all-in/all-out implementation in farrowing pens (r = 0.353; <i>p</i> = 0.026), with restricted access of other animal species to the barn (r = 0.366; <i>p</i> = 0.028) and hormonal farrowing induction (r = 0.348; <i>p</i> = 0.028). Common well-established strategies for improving fertility performance like evaluation of body temperature after farrowing, antimicrobial, and hormonal treatments showed limited relevance. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and to identify additional factors influencing reproductive performance of sows.