Breeding characteristics
1 manager and 1 employee
Member of AGRIAL
135 sows present with free-range maternity
AXA sows in multiplication
Production of Venus gilts
7-band management, weaning in 28 days
Key figures for the year
15.2 weaned per litter
Team testimonial
The highlight of 2024 was the weaning of 18 piglets at an average of 7.3 kg per litter, giving an average litter weight of 131.4 kg!
“The AXA sow is capable of taking in a very large number of piglets over several days. She’s extremely dairy and we’re up to 110-120 kg litter weight at weaning, with piglets that are very homogeneous, robust and easy to rear.
My wean-to-sale loss rate is just 1%. Venus is also very calm and independent during farrowing, which ends on Friday evening. She’s perfectly suited to the Bien-Être maternity program. The highlight of 2024 was the weaning of 18 piglets at an average of 7.3 kg per litter, giving an average litter weight of 131.4 kg! In recent years, we’ve really seen the impact of AXIOM’s GMQqmat* selection on our performance.
*Combined criterion to assess sows’ dairy and maternal aptitudes
The key factors in achieving these results: 94.2% fertility, with heat detection as early as Saturday for weaning on Thursday, a herd of homogeneous sows in good condition and rigorous maternity care. It all comes down to Friday when we balance the litters.
EARL des Réhéries team
Achievement of the year 2024: a band with an average of 18 weanlings in free-range maternity.
| GTTT criteria | 2023 | 2024 | difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weaned / productive sow / year | 35,3 | 37,4 | + 2,1 |
| Live births/litter | 16,6 | 17,6 | + 1,0 |
| Weaned / litter | 14,3 | 15,2 | + 0,9 |
| Gestation period (days) | 114,5 | 114,4 | – 0,1 |
Expert opinion
Mickaël OLIVIER, Agrial Genetics Technician
“AXA sows are delivered to EARL des Réhéries at 8kg. They are then sorted at 110kg according to the following criteria: plumbness, thickness of backfat, number of teats, phenotype, looking for long gilts that are not too conformed, and of course the genetic index.
The breeding’s renewal rate is 54%, to encourage the entry of genetic progress, which also improves the genetic level of the Venus gilts produced and delivered to breeders.”
The Venuses we sort have an average of 16.4 functional teats. They are very calm and familiar during sorting.