and additional weight loss during lactation reflected as
smaller litter size in 2nd parity. The 3rd parity litter size was
also affected by gilt growth rate, however the increase of
0.64 liveborn piglets per 100 g was smaller compared
with 2nd parity. The 100 g greater daily gain had greater
benefit in reproductive performance over two parities
(Figure 2). The 100 g greater daily gain contributed additional
0.96 ± 0.21 liveborn piglets. The contribution to
performance over three parities was very similar (0.95),
probable due to balanced feeding to avoid larger weight
loss during the 2nd lactation.
Association between growth rate and lifetime productivity
and longevity was significant, but effect was