Sow body weight, leanness and litter size have improved over the last 10 years, indicating increased amino acid and energy requirements. In addition, fetal weight and protein gain increase in late gestation so that requirements for amino acids and energy must change over the course of gestation. Models for amino acid and energy requirements of pregnant sows show that requirements in late gestation are greater than in early gestation.  

This study at the University of Alberta found that  parity-segregated phase feeding of pregnant sows supplies the amino acids and energy necessary to match the sows’ requirements. This can result in reduced feed cost, better sow condition at farrowing, better rebreeding success and prolonged productive life of sows.