Over the last 25 years, sow reproduction rates have increased steadily, with the average total piglets born per sow increasing by approximately 1.1% per year in the United States to an average of just over 11 surviving piglets per litter, as reported by Langemeier (2023), based on United States Department of Agriculture - National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS) monthly, quarterly, and annual reports (USDA-NASS 2024). Other research suggests annual increases of up to 2.4% from 1996 to 2021 (Strathe and Bruun 2023) and in Denmark, the number of total born piglets increased from 12.9 in 2000 to 19.6 piglets per litter in 2020 (Danish Pig Research Centre 2001–2020). At the same time, sow mortality rates remain high at 13–14% with annual culling rates averaging 50% of breeding herds, with many sows replaced before their third parity (the third time of giving birth) (Stalder et al. 2003; Paiva et al. 2023; Canavate 2023). The nutrient demands of the sow have changed significantly during this timeframe to account for larger litter sizes and longer lactation intervals, affecting issues such as reproductive efficiency as well as general health.