Effect of Piglet Birth Weight and Weaning Weight on Nursery Off-Test Weight

Management of lightweight pigs is a challenge that many swine producers face. The number and actual weight of lightweight market hogs can directly impact production and marketing decisions as well as disrupt pig flow on a time-sensitive management system. Pigs that have lower birth weights frequently have lower weaning weights and remain a problem through the grow/finish phases of production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of piglet birth weight and weaning weight on nursery off-test weight and to evaluate the linearity of these relationships. These data could be used by commercial producers to determine if it is effective to maintain lightweight piglets at birth or whether euthanasia might be a better option for pigs with low birth weights