LAUSR

Abstract This study hypothesised that feed intake and feeding behaviour traits recorded during gestation are genetically and/or phenotypically associated with poor reproductive performance or undesirable outcomes, including unanticipated removals. Data from 2,847 pedigreed sows recorded for 3,939 gestation events (Farm A; commercial, 90.5% F1 sows) and 540 sows over one gestation (Farm B; nucleus, six maternal and terminal lines) were used. The reproductive traits were numbers of piglets born in total (TB), born alive (NBA), stillborn (SB) and weaned (NWEAN). The outcome traits were failure at farrowing (FFAIL), presence of any (SBLIT) or excessive (SBFAIL) stillborn piglets, lactation failure (LFAIL), and sow removals within 35 (REMW) or 60 (REM60) days post farrowing. Feed intake and feeding behaviour traits were derived from data recorded using electronic sow feeding (ESF) systems, averaged across or within specific time periods of gestation. Lower feed intake was detrimentally associated with increased incidences of FFAIL, SBLIT, LFAIL, REMW and REM60. Undesirable outcomes were more likely for sows that missed meals or had low (