Multiple tools are currently available to effectively evaluate gilt and sow body condition. Both A-mode and B-mode ultrasound technology can provide accurate measures of backfat while B-mode ultrasound can deliver precise measures of loin eye area or loin depth. More recently, Knauer invented and developed the sow body condition caliper. The sow caliper technology has been implemented in 39 countries across the world. Quantifying the angularity from the spinous process to the transverse process of a sow’s back, the sow body condition caliper has moderate correlations with weight, backfat and muscling. Recommendations for the “ideal” sow caliper score in relation to reproductive performance come from multiple, large scale studies conducted on commercial farms across an array of modern genetic lines. Results suggest a sow caliper angle of 127.5 to 132.5° maximizes subsequent reproduction. Going forward, tools should be developed to automate the estimation of sow body condition. While the sow caliper provides a low-cost phenotype, automating A-mode and B-mode ultrasound also warrant investigation. Perhaps scientists should collaborate with industry experts to speed the development of automated sow body condition tools.

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19 项高效、有效地评估身体状况的技术

目前有多种工具可用于有效评估后备母猪和母猪的身体状况。A 模式和 B 模式超声技术都可以提供准确的背膘测量，而 B 模式超声可以提供腰眼区域或腰部深度的精确测量。最近，Knauer 发明并开发了母猪体况卡尺。母猪卡尺技术已在全球 39 个国家实施。量化从母猪背部棘突到横突的棱角，母猪体况卡尺与体重、背膘膘和肌肉有中度相关性。与繁殖性能相关的“理想”母猪卡尺评分的建议来自对商业农场进行的一系列现代遗传品系的多项大规模研究。结果表明母猪卡尺角为 127。5 到 132.5° 可最大限度地提高后续再现。展望未来，应开发工具来自动估计母猪身体状况。虽然母猪卡尺提供了一种低成本的表型，但自动化 A 模式和 B 模式超声也值得研究。也许科学家应该与行业专家合作，加快自动化母猪身体状况工具的开发。